R Luis Construction Corp renovates kitchens and bathrooms, repairs and replaces flat roofs, installs tile and waterproofs basements for Brooklyn homeowners, landlords and developers. We are licensed by the City as a home improvement contractor (licensed under Global City Restoration Inc., NYC HIC #2129598-DCWP).
Brooklyn is known for brownstones and brick row houses, many of them more than a century old, along with frame houses, limestones and small apartment buildings. These homes have character worth keeping, but they also come with uneven floors, old plumbing, flat roofs with parapet walls and cellars that can be damp. Some neighborhoods are also in landmark historic districts, where exterior work can need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval in addition to any DOB permit.
Kitchen renovation
In a brownstone or row house the kitchen is often on the garden or parlor level, and many owners want to update it without losing the home’s original feel. We install new cabinets, counters, backsplashes, lighting and flooring, and we can work with an existing layout or a new one where structure and plumbing allow.
Learn more about kitchen renovation
Bathroom renovation
Brownstone bathrooms are often small and sit above old framing. We repair what we find under the floor, waterproof properly, and finish with tile and fixtures that suit the house.
Learn more about bathroom renovation
Flat roof repair and replacement
Most Brooklyn row houses have flat roofs behind a parapet. Leaks usually start at the flashing, the parapet cap, around skylights and hatches, or where water pools. We repair or replace the roof based on its condition.
Learn more about flat roof repair and replacement
Cellar and basement waterproofing
Old stone and brick foundations can let water into cellars and garden apartments. We find where moisture is coming in and recommend waterproofing that fits the building.
Learn more about cellar and basement waterproofing
Tile and masonry
We install tile throughout the home, and our Google profile also lists masonry, concrete and chimney work, which suits stoops, front areas and chimneys on older homes. See our brick work page at rluisconstructions.com/brick-work/.
Learn more about tile and masonry
Keeping the character of an older home
Many Brooklyn owners want modern kitchens and bathrooms without stripping out what makes the house special. We talk through what to keep, such as original trim, doors or floors, and how new work will sit next to it. Older houses rarely have perfectly square walls or level floors, so we prepare surfaces carefully before cabinets and tile go in. When we open walls or floors we often find older pipes or framing that needs attention, and we explain the options before going further.
Garden apartments and cellars
The garden level of a brownstone sits partly below grade, which makes it more exposed to moisture than the floors above. If you are renovating a garden apartment, it is worth checking the cellar walls, front areaway drains and the rear yard grading for water problems first. Solving moisture before new finishes go in protects the work you are paying for.
For landlords and property managers
For owners of brownstone rentals and small Brooklyn buildings, we renovate units between tenants, update kitchens and baths, and take care of roof and cellar leaks, scheduling work around tenants who are still living there.
For developers
For developers renovating row houses or small multi-family buildings in Brooklyn, we can handle interior finishes, roofing and waterproofing. Share your plans and timeline and we will tell you what we can take on.
Neighborhoods we serve
- Bedford-Stuyvesant
- Crown Heights
- Bushwick
- Flatbush
- Prospect Heights
- Park Slope
- Sunset Park
- Bay Ridge
- East New York
- Canarsie
- Williamsburg
- Greenpoint
Frequently asked questions
Do you renovate brownstones?
Yes. We remodel kitchens and bathrooms, install tile, and repair roofs and cellars in brownstones and row houses.
My home is in a historic district. What does that mean for my project?
Exterior work on landmarked buildings can need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval in addition to any DOB permit. Most interior work is less affected. We will help you work out what applies.
Why does my flat roof keep leaking?
Common causes are worn flashing, parapet caps, seams and spots where water pools. We inspect the roof and tell you whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense.
Can you work while tenants live in the building?
Yes. We plan the work to keep disruption to occupied units low.
Can you renovate a garden apartment?
Yes. We check for moisture in the cellar and at the walls first, then renovate the kitchen, bath and finishes.
Are you licensed in NYC?
Yes, under NYC Home Improvement Contractor license #2129598-DCWP, held by Global City Restoration Inc.
Get a free estimate
Planning a renovation in Brooklyn? Call (347) 842-9954 or send us the details through our contact page at rluisconstructions.com/contact-us/.