Residential construction · NYC

Residential construction company in NYC

Mews Construction Contractors is a licensed residential construction company in NYC, based in the Bronx and serving homeowners across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the five boroughs. Since 2016, we have completed 100+ residential projects — from single-room renovations to full gut rehabs on brownstones and multi-family buildings. Our team manages every part of the job: permits, all trades, inspections, and final delivery.

2016

Established

100+

Residential Projects

4.8★

51 Google Reviews

Licensed

Insured GC · NYC

The full process

What does a residential construction company in NYC do?

A residential construction company in NYC manages the complete process of building, renovating, or remodeling a home — assessing existing conditions, designing the scope, pulling permits from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), coordinating all trades, passing inspections, and delivering the finished project.

In New York City specifically, it also means navigating co-op and condo board alteration agreements, building management requirements, DOT permits for sidewalk and curb work, and Landmarks Preservation Commission approvals for historic properties. A contractor who works regularly in NYC already knows this process. One who does not will slow your project down.

Mews handles all of the above in-house. You get one project manager who coordinates every part of the job — not a general contractor who farms work out to whoever is available that week.

We manage in-house

Assessing existing conditions & scoping the work
Pulling permits from the NYC Dept. of Buildings (DOB)
Coordinating all trades — plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, tile, painting
Co-op & condo board alteration agreements
DOT sidewalk permits & Landmarks (LPC) approvals
Passing all inspections & final delivery

What we offer

Residential construction services in NYC

01

New Home Construction

Building a new home in NYC requires a builder who knows the zoning code, understands lot setbacks and FAR (floor area ratio) restrictions, and can move efficiently through the DOB permit process. We coordinate with licensed architects and structural engineers on plan preparation and filing, then manage all phases from foundation through certificate of occupancy.

Our work covers site preparation, foundation systems, structural framing, MEP rough-ins, insulation, exterior envelope, interior finishes, and final inspections. We do not hand off coordination partway through — one project manager runs the entire job.

Typical NYC range $300–$500+ / sq ft

02

Whole-Home Gut Renovation

A gut renovation takes a property down to the studs and rebuilds it with updated systems, modern layouts, and new finishes throughout. It is the most comprehensive residential project type, and in NYC it requires careful phasing, thorough permitting, and real experience with the complications that come up when you open walls in older buildings.

We have done gut renovations in pre-war Manhattan apartments, Bronx brownstones, Brooklyn row houses, and Queens single-family homes. Every one turned up something unexpected inside the walls — that is normal. What matters is having experienced tradespeople who handle it without blowing the budget or the timeline.

Typical NYC range $150–$350 / sq ft

03

Kitchen Remodeling

Most NYC kitchens were not designed for how people actually cook. The layouts predate modern appliances, cabinets are worn out, and electrical panels cannot handle induction cooktops or double ovens without upgrades. We redesign layouts for real functionality, install custom or semi-custom cabinetry, replace plumbing rough-in, upgrade circuits, and finish with countertops, backsplash tile, lighting, and paint.

A basic refresh runs $20,000–$40,000; a full gut kitchen with layout changes, new plumbing and electrical, and premium finishes typically ranges from $60,000–$120,000. We give you a fixed-price proposal so you know the number before work begins.

Typical NYC range $20,000–$120,000

04

Bathroom Renovation

We do bathroom renovations from a simple fixture and tile refresh up to a complete gut with new plumbing, layout reconfiguration, and custom tile work. Scope covers demolition, waterproofing, tile on floors and walls, shower or tub installation, vanity and fixtures, lighting, ventilation, and paint.

One thing worth saying directly: waterproofing is not optional, and a lot of contractors treat it as optional. We do not. Skipping it means mold, water damage to adjacent units, and expensive repairs within a few years. We use cement board, proper membranes, and inspected tile installation on every job.

Typical NYC range $15,000–$80,000

05

Basement Finishing & Conversion

Unfinished basements are common in the Bronx and outer-borough single-family homes. We convert them into usable living space: home offices, gyms, additional bedrooms, rental units, or family rooms. The first thing we do on any basement job is check moisture, drainage, and ceiling clearance — finishing a wet basement without addressing drainage is money wasted.

For legal rental units (ADUs) we manage egress window installation, ceiling-height compliance, separate-entrance construction where needed, and all DOB filings. A legal ADU adds rentable square footage and can meaningfully increase a property’s value in the NYC market.

Typical NYC range $30,000–$80,000

06

Home Additions & Extensions

Adding square footage to a NYC home requires zoning analysis before anything else. We work with licensed architects to determine what your property allows under current zoning, calculate available FAR, and design an addition that fits what the city will approve. Rear-yard extensions, second-story additions, and dormer additions are all projects we have completed.

The permit and plan approval process for additions often takes 3–6 months depending on the borough and complexity. We start that process early and manage it throughout so construction can begin as soon as approvals come through.

Typical NYC range $200,000–$500,000+

07

Brownstone Restoration

The Bronx and Brooklyn have significant brownstone housing stock, and restoring one correctly takes knowledge of both masonry and historic construction methods. Our masonry team handles brick repointing, lintel and sill replacement, parapet wall repair, stoop restoration, and facade cleaning. For LPC-jurisdiction properties, we prepare and submit applications and work within the required guidelines.

Interior brownstone renovation is its own challenge. Pre-1940 buildings often have knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, horsehair plaster, and original hardwood worth preserving. We know what to keep and what to replace, and work carefully in occupied buildings to keep disruption to a minimum.

08

Foundation Repair & Waterproofing

Foundation problems scare homeowners, and they should be taken seriously — but not every crack means a structural failure. We assess conditions before recommending any work, looking at crack patterns, moisture infiltration, floor levelness, and window and door alignment to understand what is actually happening.

When structural repair is needed, we work with licensed structural engineers on the plan and pull the required permits. Our waterproofing covers interior drainage systems, sump pump installation, and exterior membrane systems. We fix the cause, not just the visible symptom.

09

Multi-Family Building Renovation

We work on 2–6 unit residential buildings, including brownstone conversions, multi-family gut renovations, and unit-by-unit remodeling. Managing construction in an occupied building requires careful phasing to keep disruption manageable for tenants, and we have done enough of these to do it efficiently.

For landlords who need units turned over between tenants, we also do fast-turnaround unit renovations on tight timelines. Call us to discuss what your building needs.

Honest pricing

How much does residential construction cost in NYC?

Costs in New York City are among the highest in the country — labor, permit fees, material logistics in dense neighborhoods, and older building stock all push costs up. Here are realistic ranges. We provide fixed-price proposals on every job, so you know the number before we start.

Kitchen remodel

$20,000–$120,000

Bathroom renovation

$15,000–$80,000

Basement finishing

$30,000–$80,000

Home addition

$200,000–$500,000+

Full gut renovation

$150–$350 / sq ft

New home construction

$300–$500+ / sq ft

DOB compliance

Do I need permits for residential construction in NYC?

Yes. The NYC Department of Buildings requires permits for most residential work beyond cosmetic repairs — structural changes, electrical upgrades, plumbing modifications, new HVAC, additions, and any work affecting the building envelope.

Working without permits creates real problems: it can void homeowner insurance, cause issues at sale, trigger DOB stop-work orders and fines, and require demolition and redo at the owner’s expense. We pull permits on every applicable project — that protects you and ensures the work is done to code. We also handle co-op and condo alteration agreement submissions, including insurance certificates, DOB filings, and architect sign-offs.

Projects that require DOB permits

Gut renovations
Kitchen & bathroom remodels with plumbing or electrical changes
Home additions & extensions
Basement finishing with egress modifications
New windows in different locations
Any structural work

From first call to final walkthrough

How we manage your project

1

Free site visit & assessment

We walk the space with you, review existing conditions, and listen to your goals. Free, about an hour — and we send a project manager, not a salesperson.

2

Written proposal, fixed pricing

Within 3–5 business days you receive a detailed proposal: full scope, material specs, line-item pricing, and a timeline. Everything in writing before you commit.

3

Permits & pre-construction

We file all DOB permits, coordinate with your co-op or condo board, order long-lead materials, and schedule trades before we mobilize.

4

Construction with daily oversight

Your project manager is on the job daily — coordinating trades, managing the schedule and deliveries, and keeping you updated. We do not start and disappear.

5

Inspections & quality control

We schedule and manage all DOB and trade inspections. Every phase is reviewed against our quality checklist before we advance.

6

Final walkthrough & close-out

We walk the project with you before closing out. Punch-list items get addressed within 48 hours, and you receive all warranties and permit close-out docs.

What sets us apart

Why hire Mews for residential construction in NYC?

Licensed NYC general contractor

All work performed under proper permits with licensed tradespeople. Verify our licensing through the NYC Dept. of Consumer & Worker Protection.

Based in the Bronx since 2016

A local company with local knowledge of NYC building codes, permit offices, and the specifics of Bronx, Manhattan, and outer-borough properties.

100+ completed projects

The track record to handle complex jobs competently. New contractors learn on your project — we already know what we are doing.

4.8 stars, 51 Google reviews

Verified reviews from real NYC homeowners. Read them at mewscontractors.com or search Mews Construction Contractors on Google.

Fixed-price proposals

The price we quote is the price you pay. No change orders for items we should have anticipated during estimating.

One PM, full accountability

One person to call who owns the job start to finish. No confusion about who is responsible for what.

Resale-value focus

Material and design choices that hold up over time and increase market value — not just choices that look good at first glance.

Full compliance, no shortcuts

We pull permits, pass inspections, and do the work to code. Shortcuts save money short-term and create expensive problems at sale.

Where we work

Residential construction across NYC boroughs

Headquartered at 1292 Waring Ave in the Bronx, we serve residential clients throughout New York City. We have the most project history in the Bronx and work regularly in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Each borough has its own construction environment — Manhattan’s demanding co-op and condo board processes, the Bronx’s mix of brownstones and multi-family buildings, Brooklyn’s LPC considerations — and we account for the differences in how we plan every job.

The Bronx

Manhattan

Brooklyn

Queens

Other NYC boroughs

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a renovation and a gut renovation?

A renovation updates specific elements of a home while keeping the existing structure and systems mostly intact. A gut renovation removes everything down to the structural framing and rebuilds from scratch — new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, and all finishes. Gut renovations cost more and take longer but address underlying system issues a surface renovation leaves in place. In older NYC buildings, gut renovations are often the right call because the existing plumbing and electrical are due for full replacement anyway.

How long does residential construction take in NYC?

A bathroom renovation typically takes 3–5 weeks of active construction, a kitchen remodel 6–10 weeks, a full apartment gut renovation 4–6 months from construction start, and new home construction 12–18 months including permitting. The permit phase adds time before construction begins and is often what homeowners underestimate. We give you a realistic timeline in the proposal and update it if anything changes.

Can I stay in my home during construction?

For targeted renovations like a single bathroom or kitchen, many homeowners stay in the house. For gut renovations or projects involving major plumbing, electrical, or structural work, staying is usually not practical or safe. We discuss this during the initial consultation and help you plan around your living situation. For occupied multi-family buildings, we phase work carefully to minimize disruption to other units.

What permits are required for a kitchen or bathroom remodel in NYC?

Any kitchen or bathroom remodel involving plumbing changes (moving drains, relocating fixtures) or electrical changes beyond simple fixture swaps requires a DOB permit. Structural changes always require permits. Cosmetic work like painting, replacing cabinet doors, or swapping fixtures in their existing locations typically does not. We assess your scope and pull the appropriate permits before starting any permitted work.

How do I know if a contractor is licensed in NYC?

You can verify a general contractor’s license through the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) website. Licensed GCs in NYC must hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license; specialty trades like electricians and plumbers hold separate licenses. Mews Construction Contractors is fully licensed. Ask any contractor for their license number and verify it before signing a contract.

What happens if my co-op or condo board denies the alteration agreement?

Most boards approve alteration agreements for properly scoped and documented projects. Denials usually happen when the application is incomplete, the contractor is not approved, or the scope raises concerns about noise, structural impact, or access. We prepare thorough alteration-agreement packages with all required documentation and have a strong approval record. If a board has specific concerns, we address them directly.

Do you offer any warranty on residential construction work?

Yes. All workmanship is covered by a one-year workmanship warranty. Material warranties vary by manufacturer and are passed through to the homeowner. We provide warranty documentation at project close-out. If something fails within the warranty period that is attributable to our work, we come back and fix it.

What is the first step to starting a project with Mews?

Call (718) 281-6000 or email Sajjawalbaig@gmail.com to schedule a free site visit. We come to the property, assess conditions, talk through your goals and budget, and follow up with a detailed written proposal within 3–5 business days. There is no obligation to proceed after the site visit.

Get a free estimate for your NYC residential project

We are a licensed, insured general contractor with 100+ completed residential projects and a 4.8-star rating from real NYC homeowners. You get our team, our project manager, and our accountability from the first call to the final walkthrough. The next step is a free site visit — we come to you and deliver a detailed written proposal within 3–5 business days. No pressure, no sales pitch.

Mews Construction Contractors · 1292 Waring Ave, Bronx, NY 10469 · mewscontractors.com