R Luis Construction Corp renovates kitchens and bathrooms and handles roofing, tiling and waterproofing for Manhattan apartment owners, landlords and building owners. We are a licensed NYC home improvement contractor (licensed under Global City Restoration Inc., NYC HIC #2129598-DCWP), and we work most often in Upper Manhattan, including Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood.
Renovating in Manhattan is mostly renovating in apartments. Co-op and condo buildings usually require board or management approval before work begins, often through an alteration agreement that sets work hours, insurance requirements and what kind of work needs drawings or a DOB filing. Freight elevators, building-set work hours and neighbors on every side all shape how a job is scheduled. Townhouses and walk-ups in Harlem bring a different set of concerns: older brick, flat roofs and original plumbing.
Apartment kitchen renovation
Manhattan kitchens tend to be compact, so every inch counts. We install new cabinets, counters, backsplashes, lighting and flooring, and we can rework the layout where the building allows changes to plumbing and gas lines. We work with you to put together what your board or managing agent asks for before work starts.
Learn more about apartment kitchen renovation
Bathroom renovation
Many buildings treat bathroom work as a higher-risk alteration because a leak can reach the apartment below. We take that seriously, with proper waterproofing under tile and careful plumbing connections, so the new bathroom looks good and protects your neighbors too.
Learn more about bathroom renovation
Tiling
Floor and wall tile for kitchens, baths and entry halls, installed on properly prepared surfaces. In older prewar apartments, that preparation often matters as much as the tile itself.
Roofing for townhouses and small buildings
For Harlem brownstones, walk-ups and small multi-family buildings, we repair and replace flat roofs and fix leaks around flashing, parapets and skylights.
Learn more about roofing for townhouses and small buildings
Waterproofing
Townhouse cellars and ground-floor units can take on water through foundation walls. We find the source and recommend a waterproofing approach that suits the building.
Learn more about waterproofing
How a Manhattan apartment project usually runs
Most apartment renovations follow the same path. First we look at the space and agree on a scope with you. Then the building reviews it: many co-ops and condos ask for a written scope, the contractor’s license and insurance certificates, and sometimes drawings from an architect or engineer before they sign off. If the work needs a DOB filing, that happens next. Once approvals are in place we schedule demolition and deliveries around the building’s rules, protect the hallways and elevator, and keep the work area contained to limit dust for neighbors. Planning for these steps from the start is the best way to avoid surprises once the job begins.
Prewar and older buildings
Prewar apartments are prized for their layouts and details, but opening a wall can reveal old galvanized or cast-iron pipes, plaster over lath and floors that are not level. We plan for these conditions, explain what we find, and agree with you on how to handle it before moving ahead.
For landlords and property managers
For owners and managers of walk-ups and small buildings in Upper Manhattan, we handle apartment turnovers, kitchen and bath upgrades, roof leaks and cellar water problems, and we schedule work to fit around occupied units.
For developers
For developers renovating townhouses or small multi-family buildings in Manhattan, we can take on interior finishes, tile, roofing and waterproofing as part of your project. Share the scope and timeline and we will let you know what we can take on.
Neighborhoods we serve
- Harlem
- East Harlem
- Hamilton Heights
- Washington Heights
- Inwood
- Morningside Heights
- Upper West Side
- Upper East Side
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with co-op and condo boards?
Yes. We work with you to provide what your building asks for under its alteration agreement, such as insurance certificates, license details and scope of work, before we start.
Does my apartment renovation need a DOB permit?
Some work does and some does not. Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls usually requires filings, while replacing finishes often does not. Your building may have its own rules too. We will go over this with you during planning.
Can you work within my building's set work hours?
Yes. We schedule around the work hours and elevator rules your building sets.
Do you do roofing in Manhattan?
Yes, mainly flat roof repair and replacement on townhouses, walk-ups and small buildings.
How long does building approval take?
It varies by building. Some boards review a simple scope quickly, while others take longer, especially when drawings are needed. We help you prepare the paperwork so the review is not held up on our side.
Which parts of Manhattan do you serve?
We work most often in Upper Manhattan, including Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Call us about projects elsewhere in Manhattan.
Get a free estimate
Planning an apartment renovation in Manhattan? Call (347) 842-9954 or reach us through our contact page at rluisconstructions.com/contact-us/ to talk through your project and your building’s requirements.