How to Read an Alteration Agreement in NYC

For co-op and condo living, a close look at the contract—including why it exists

nyc alteration agreement

Chances are, if you’re renovating in an apartment building—whether it’s a co-op or a condo—you’ll know what an NYC alteration agreement is. And if you don’t, read on! It’s one of the many factors that will determine whether your renovation vision can come to life.

Alteration agreements recognize the reality of urban living: your neighbors are just a wall, ceiling, or floor away. What you choose to do in your renovation will affect their apartments and their lives over the duration of your project. This document prioritizes the greater good of the building over your desire for a new kitchen configuration. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get that new layout. The document is there to give consideration to your fellow residents. We offer this outline as the jumping-off point for your renovation’s building approval process.

What is usually included in an alteration agreement?

Scope of work

The document will request a scope of work from your architect or general contractor. This, along with submitted plans, will be reviewed by the board and its architect. They may have questions for you. Our Sweeten contractors in NYC are experts in managing this board approval process.

Insurance

The agreement will ask you to provide the proper paperwork from your contractor and any subcontractors working on the project. Pay attention to the level of insurance required. In New York City, buildings typically require $1 to $2 million of coverage. Some buildings, however, require upwards of $5 million. Sweeten architect Jiwoo points out, “If your building requires this level of insurance, the pool of general contractors available to you automatically shrinks. Most contractors do not carry this level of insurance, so you’re really looking for experts who specialize in luxury buildings.”

Timeline

Boards like to maintain the quality of life for other building residents over the course of your remodel. One way is by restricting the hours of the day that a renovation is permitted. Usually, there cannot be loud noises prior to 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Sometimes the work is reserved for only certain months of the year. For example, Jiwoo tells us that in some apartments on Central Park West, homeowners are only permitted to do renovation work in the summers.

Alteration agreements may include information on how long your project can take. If the deadline is exceeded, sometimes a penalty fee is imposed. Sweeten general contractor Santiago shares that while many alteration agreements include this penalty, boards are often willing to extend the date or to provide a grace period.

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Other agreements may dictate that only a certain number of renovations can be ongoing at any given time. As a result, you may have to plan your date and wait for your neighbors to complete their projects before you can begin yours.

Wet-over-dry rule

This is another key element to look for in an alteration agreement. If you’re planning to move your bathroom or expand your kitchen into spaces previously designated as bedrooms or living rooms, you may run into challenges. Buildings often want to keep all the “wet” rooms in a vertical stack due to the possibility of leaks. However, your architect can work with the board to explain how precautions will be taken to limit the possibility of leaks or noise from these rooms that might be disruptive to neighbors.

Is it worth submitting plans that request something that is expressly prohibited in the alteration agreement?

The document provides the ground rules for your renovation. That said, it depends on the character of your board and the management company. Open a discussion on a reasonable point if you think that the agreement is outdated or does not reflect current practice. Examples could be the enforcement of the wet-over-dry rule or the prohibiting of a new HVAC system. The first person to ask is the property manager—if that person says no, it’s not worth wasting your time.

The building board of one Sweeten homeowner on the Upper West Side prohibited central air from being installed. With tenacity and support from her renovation team, she was the first homeowner to have the HVAC system in her home.

What if there is no alteration agreement?

If your building does not have an alteration agreement, it does not mean that you are free to take a no-holds-barred approach to your renovation. This means that the approvals process will be dictated entirely by the composition of the board and its preferences. Smaller buildings might not have this document and these approvals processes tend to be very hands-on. This scenario may play out in the renovator’s favor, however, given that these small buildings can also be more open to your vision.

Important things to remember

Sweeten contractor Santiago reminds us of the purpose of alteration agreements: “The main thing is that the board wants to protect itself. Second, it wants to protect the other shareholders.”

But you should take the document with a grain of salt. “It only gives you so much insight. It’s a formal document, but the truth of the matter is only revealed when you jump into the process,” explains Sweeten architect Jiwoo. “Ultimately, the alteration agreement tells you very little about what the review process is like. It’s not until you get comments back from your board’s engineer or architect that you will really discover what is off-limits and what is permitted.”

Use your alteration agreement as a guide, but work with an experienced NYC general contractor and architect to help you navigate both the agreement and the co-op board. Find the remodeling experts with the right experience and you’ll be on your way to demolition and a reimagined space.

Originally published on November 27, 2018

Updated on June 13, 2023

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