NYS and NYC M/WBE Certified Contractor
Transform cramped Manhattan kitchens into functional spaces with custom solutions. Licensed contractors serving New York since 2006—over 850 completed renovations.
You’re done apologizing for the cramped galley layout or outdated cabinets from the 1980s. Your new kitchen actually functions the way you live—whether that’s morning coffee routines in your Upper West Side co-op or weekend meal prep in your Chelsea apartment.
Custom cabinetry maximizes every inch of your 85-square-foot space. Pull-out organizers mean you can reach the spices without excavating three shelves. Quartz countertops provide prep space that doesn’t feel like a cutting board balanced on your stovetop. Under-cabinet lighting makes early mornings easier, and soft-close drawers mean no more slamming that wakes the neighbors.
This is what happens when contractors understand Manhattan living. You get storage solutions designed for small spaces, appliances sized for city apartments, and layouts that flow despite structural constraints. The result: a kitchen that works as hard as you do, increases your property value, and makes daily life smoother.
Green Island Group has transformed kitchens throughout Manhattan, from pre-war buildings along Park Avenue to modern condos in the Lower East Side. We understand what makes NYC renovations different—the co-op board approval processes, the DOB permit requirements, and the logistical challenges of working in high-rise buildings.
Our team includes licensed contractors, certified designers, and project managers who coordinate with building supers, schedule freight elevators, and ensure every detail meets both city codes and your building’s alteration agreement. We’ve worked in buildings with strict noise restrictions, tight access requirements, and demanding boards.
What sets our approach apart is handling the entire process under one roof. You work with the same team from initial design consultation through final walkthrough. We source materials from local suppliers, manage all permit applications, and communicate clearly throughout the 10-12 week construction timeline. Last year alone, we completed 47 Manhattan kitchen renovations with an average client rating of 4.8 stars.
Your project starts with an in-home consultation where we measure your space, discuss your vision, and identify any structural constraints. We create detailed 3D renderings so you see exactly how your finished kitchen will look, including cabinet configurations, countertop materials, and lighting placement. This design phase typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Next, we prepare all documentation for your co-op or condo board—architectural plans, contractor insurance certificates, project timeline, and building access requirements. We’ve navigated approval processes in hundreds of Manhattan buildings and know exactly what boards need to see. This phase takes 6-16 weeks depending on your building’s review schedule.
Once approved, construction begins. Our crew arrives during your building’s designated work hours, sets up dust barriers to protect your apartment, and begins demolition. We coordinate material deliveries, schedule inspections, and keep you updated on progress. Throughout the 10-12 week construction period, we maintain clear communication and handle any unexpected issues that arise when opening walls in older buildings. The result is a kitchen that maximizes your space and meets all NYC building codes.
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Every Green Island Group kitchen renovation includes comprehensive design services tailored to your specific space. We specialize in small-space solutions for typical Manhattan apartments—those 80-100 square foot kitchens that require creative thinking. Our designers create custom cabinet layouts that maximize vertical storage, incorporate corner solutions, and use every available inch efficiently.
We work with premium materials suited to NYC living: quartz and granite countertops that handle daily use, custom cabinetry with soft-close hardware, and professional-grade appliances sized for compact spaces. For pre-war buildings between 59th and 96th Streets on the Upper East Side, we’re experienced with the electrical and plumbing upgrades required when modernizing kitchens in structures built before 1940.
Our full-service approach includes:
We also handle the logistics unique to Manhattan renovations—freight elevator scheduling, building access coordination, and working within strict hour restrictions that most co-ops and condos enforce.
Kitchen remodeling costs in Manhattan typically range from $50,000 to $150,000 for most full renovations, with the average project falling around $75,000-$90,000. The wide range reflects differences in kitchen size, material selections, and scope of work. A basic refresh with new cabinets and countertops in a small galley kitchen might cost $35,000-$50,000, while a high-end renovation with custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and structural changes can exceed $150,000.
Several factors drive Manhattan’s higher costs compared to national averages. Labor costs are 30-40% higher due to insurance requirements, building hour restrictions, and setup time for high-rise access. Permit and professional fees add $3,000-$6,000, including DOB filings and architect review. Co-op board requirements like alteration deposits and building insurance add another $1,500-$5,000.
We provide itemized estimates that break down all costs upfront—materials, labor, permits, and contingency for unexpected issues in older buildings. This transparency helps you understand exactly where your investment goes and make informed decisions about material selections and project scope.
Most kitchen renovations in New York City require ALT-2 permits from the Department of Buildings, especially if you’re moving plumbing, changing electrical systems, or altering any walls. Even seemingly minor changes like relocating a sink or adding new outlets typically require permits. The only work that doesn’t require permits is purely cosmetic—painting, replacing cabinet doors without moving the boxes, or changing hardware.
If you live in a co-op or condo, you’ll also need board approval before starting any work. This involves submitting detailed renovation plans, contractor licenses and insurance certificates, and a project timeline to your building’s management. The board review process typically takes 6-16 weeks, and some buildings require additional architect review or engineering sign-off.
We handle all permit applications and board approvals for you. Our team knows exactly what documentation the DOB requires and what co-op boards need to see. We’ve successfully navigated approval processes in hundreds of Manhattan buildings, from pre-war co-ops to modern condominiums, ensuring your project starts with all proper authorizations in place.
A complete kitchen renovation in Manhattan takes 4-6 months from initial consultation to completion, though the actual construction period is 10-12 weeks. The extended timeline accounts for design development (2-3 weeks), co-op or condo board approval (6-16 weeks), DOB permit processing (2-4 weeks), and custom cabinet manufacturing (8-10 weeks).
Construction timelines vary based on your project’s complexity. A straightforward cabinet and countertop replacement in a small galley kitchen takes 6-8 weeks. Full renovations involving layout changes, electrical upgrades, and plumbing relocation take 10-12 weeks. Projects in pre-war buildings often take longer when we discover outdated wiring or plumbing behind walls that requires updating to current code.
Several factors can extend timelines: board approval delays, custom material backorders, asbestos testing and abatement in buildings constructed before 1987, and building work-hour restrictions that limit productive time. We build realistic schedules that account for these Manhattan-specific factors and keep you informed of progress throughout the process.
You can stay in your apartment during a kitchen renovation, though it requires planning and patience. Your kitchen will be completely non-functional for most of the 10-12 week construction period—no sink, stove, or refrigerator access. Many of our Manhattan clients stay in their apartments and set up temporary kitchens in dining areas or living rooms with a microwave, mini-fridge, and electric kettle.
We use heavy-duty dust barriers to contain debris and minimize impact on the rest of your apartment. However, expect dust, noise during work hours (typically 9am-4pm on weekdays per building rules), and contractor traffic through your space. Demolition and installation phases are loudest, while cabinet assembly and finishing work are quieter.
Some clients choose to stay with family or rent short-term accommodations during the most disruptive phases. If you do stay, we recommend planning for takeout meals, having paper plates and disposable utensils on hand, and timing any vacations to coincide with the noisiest work periods. We’ll discuss the best approach for your specific situation during our initial consultation.
For Manhattan’s compact kitchens, we focus on design strategies that maximize functionality and create visual spaciousness. Light-colored cabinetry in whites, soft grays, or natural wood tones makes small spaces feel larger and brighter. We often recommend extending cabinets to the ceiling to maximize vertical storage—critical in kitchens with only 80-90 square feet of floor space.
Custom storage solutions make the biggest impact: pull-out pantry organizers, corner cabinet carousels, drawer dividers, and toe-kick drawers that use every available inch. We incorporate slim appliances like 24-inch ranges, counter-depth refrigerators, and European-style combination units that provide full functionality without overwhelming the space.
Current trends that work particularly well in NYC include integrated appliances that blend with cabinetry for a streamlined look, under-cabinet and in-cabinet LED lighting that brightens work surfaces, and durable quartz countertops that handle heavy daily use. Open shelving on one wall can create visual interest and display space, though we balance this with closed storage for a clutter-free appearance in small quarters.
We have extensive experience navigating co-op and condo board approval processes throughout Manhattan. Our team prepares comprehensive alteration agreement packages including detailed architectural plans, contractor licenses and insurance certificates (typically $2 million liability coverage), project timelines, and building access protocols. We’ve successfully obtained approvals in hundreds of buildings and understand what different boards require.
Each building has unique rules—some restrict work to weekdays 9am-4pm, others require weekend elevator reservations, and many mandate specific insurance riders or security deposits. We review your building’s alteration agreement carefully and ensure our work plan complies with all requirements, from noise restrictions to debris removal procedures.
Throughout construction, we maintain communication with your building’s management and superintendent. We coordinate freight elevator scheduling for material deliveries, protect common areas during transport, and ensure our crew follows all building protocols. This attention to building relationships and regulations prevents work stoppages, fines, or conflicts with neighbors—keeping your project on schedule and maintaining good standing with your board.
