PERMIT ARCHITECTS
Fast Affordable Approvals for New Yorkers since 2014
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Co-op Approvals
Does your coop require an architect for your renovation? We’ve got you covered.
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Condo Approvals
Need an architect to obtain condo approval for your renovation? We’ll handle it.
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DOB Permit Approvals
Not sure if you need a permit for your project? We’ll walk you through it.
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Landmarks Approvals
Is your project in a historic district? We’ll get you the approvals you’ll need.
How It Works
Free Phone Consultation
Book a free phone consultation with us and tell us about your property and the work you are planning. We will give you our preliminary thoughts on the viability of the project, and whether it is a good match for our firm. If yes, then we will follow up on the call with a fee estimate and/or proposal for services. The vast majority of our projects are set under a fixed fee. We will also help you anticipate other costs that typically arise during construction projects.
Survey and Schematic Design
Once you retain us, we will send our scanning team to your property to confirm the existing conditions/layout. Then we will prepare the architectural plans based on the scope of work you have told us. In some cases our clients need to see options of different layouts, in others they already have a layout in mind, in which case we will simply make sure it is code compliant.
Building Management, Landmarks, and Department of Buildings Approvals
Once you have reviewed our plans yourself and confirmed they work for you, we will guide you through obtaining the approvals typically necessary from the authorities governing your property. This might include building management (if you live in a co-op or condo), the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), or the Department of Buildings (DOB). If these authorities come back to us with questions or concerns about the proposed work, we address those. Our fixed fee typically includes as many revisions to our drawings as are required to obtain their approval.
Construction and Sign-offs
Once your permit is approved, we will advise you on any necessary inspections or secondary permits your contractor may need to properly complete the work. Then, when your contractor has completed the work, we typically perform the final inspection and assist with signing off the permits with whichever authorities were involved (such as LPC or DOB).
What Our Clients Say
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“We've heard horror stories about working on home renovations when it comes to the planning and paper work side of things, but Esther helped make the whole process super smooth! We would 100% recommend her if you are looking for an architect to help with your renovations!”
— Luisa, Bay Ridge
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“We ended up talking to three different architect firms and Permit Architects gave a very reasonable quote and was also the most responsive/open to discussions.”
— Robert, Bay Ridge
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“We were doing a minor interior renovation but required an architect for DOB permits and every other firm we talked to had huge minimums. Permit Architects, had a flat rate service for exactly what we needed and made the whole process pain free.”
— Justine, Brooklyn Heights
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“Permit Architects were super responsive. Esther and her team helped guide us through the process with the DOB, getting inspections, filing everything, getting final sign offs. They made the whole process super smooth!”
— Bobby, Bay Ridge
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“They're clearly very experienced - everything was approved the first time with no additional comments or further hassle from the NYC DOB.”
— Justine, Brooklyn Heights
FAQs
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We specialize in NYC interior renovations in co-ops, condos, multifamily buildings or houses within the five boroughs. We assist our clients in obtaining condo or co-op approval and DOB General Construction permit approvals (previously called Alteration Type-2 permits) as well as simple plumbing, mechanical and structural permit approvals.
We also take on changes of use/occupancy projects in houses and townhouses where there is no addition or extension involved. For these projects we assist our clients in obtaining the necessary Alteration-CO permit (formerly called Alteration Type 1). Typical examples including converting a 1-family to a 2-family house, or a 2-family to a 3-family.
We are currently NOT taking on ground-up projects (i.e. new buildings), or renovation projects with extensive exterior work such as additions or extensions.
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Our clients are homeowners, business owners and landlords — basically anyone who is doing a renovation and needs approvals or permits.
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Our office is located in DUMBO, Brooklyn and we specialize in renovation projects in New York City within the five boroughs.
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On average, it takes us about 1-4 weeks to prepare the drawings (depending if you already have figured out what you want to do). From there it takes about 2-4 weeks to obtain condo or coop approval (this is only required if your project is in a condo or coop). After that it takes approximately 2-8 weeks to obtain DOB approval if you’re going through the regular ‘Plan Examination’ process, or approximately 1 week to obtain DOB approval if you’re going through the ‘Professional Certification’ process.
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Our average estimated fee for a General Construction permit is between $5,000 to $12,000 depending on the size and complexity of the project. Changes of Use or Occupancy (Alteration-CO permits) will typically run between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on the complexity of the specific project.
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Besides our architecture / expediting fee, renovation estimated project costs in NYC typically include:
$500 to $1500 - DOB Filing Fees (varies depending on construction costs)
$15,000 to $500,000 - General Contractor (varies depending on scope and level of finish)
$1000 to $4000 - Condo or Coop Fees (varies depending on the building)
$0 to $15,000 - Structural or MEP Engineering Fees (varies depending on your scope of work)
$0 to $2000 - Asbestos Inspection (required for most renovation projects in older buildings involving demolition)
For changes of use or occupancy (Alteration-CO) filings only, you should anticipate an additional $5000 to $15,000 for DOB Expediting, as the Certificate of Occupancy process typically requires a dedicated expeditor and we do not provide this service in-house.
Who We Are
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GEORGE SHOWMAN
Founder & Registered Architect
George Founded Permit Architects to offer New Yorkers a clear pathway to compliance within the city’s complex regulations. He takes great pride in systemizing our processes so we can deliver our services effectively and efficiently. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids.
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ESTHER CHEUNG
Founder & Registered Architect
Esther founded Permit Architects to help make New Yorkers’ renovation projects less stressful. Her dream is to help New Yorkers by offering a simple transparent renovation approval process that people can afford. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids.
Tell Us About Your Project
Have a potential project? We offer a free first consultation and fee estimate. Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours. Or call our office directly at (718) 535-7304 and one of us will be happy to disucss your project with you now.