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Find the Top 27 Office Renovation Contractors in New York, NY

NYC DOB permits take 12-20 weeks (worst in US). Union labor mandatory in most buildings—adds 50-70% to costs. Top contractors book 6-12 months out. Logistics are nightmare: freight elevators, noise rules, neighbor issues.

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New York: Permit Hell, Union Requirements, Extreme Costs

DOB permitting is slowest in nation: 12-20 weeks standard, 6+ months if complications. Union labor mandatory in high-rises and most commercial—adds 50-70% vs open shop. Quality contractors book 6-12 months out; Midtown specialists book 12+ months ahead. Costs: $65-$115/sqft (brutal).

NYC realities:

  • Midtown/FiDi High-Rises: Freight elevator scheduling wars. Noise ordinances limit hours (expect night/weekend premiums of 40-60%). Union mandatory. PLAs required in many buildings.
  • Brooklyn Creative (DUMBO, Williamsburg): Industrial conversions require structural engineers, Landmarks if historic (adds 8-16 weeks). Less union presence than Manhattan.
  • Landmarks Buildings: Landmarks Preservation Commission involvement adds 8-16 weeks minimum. Requires specialized preservation contractors—book year ahead.

Verify building's union requirements before bidding—PLA violations are expensive. Freight elevator access costs $500-2000/day. Neighbor complaints common—budget for community liaison. Most expensive, most complex market in US. No shortcuts.

Project by CBRE Project Management
Project by Clune Construction
Project by Cushman & Wakefield

Why New York is Unique

Department of Buildings (DOB) takes 12-20 weeks for permits (can hit 6+ months with complications). All high-rises and most commercial buildings require union labor (50-70% cost premium). Quality contractors book 6-12 months ahead—Midtown specialists book 12+ months. Landmarks preservation adds 8-16 weeks.

Understanding Commercial Build-Out Costs in New York

Costs vary significantly based on finish level, building age, location, and scope of work. Here's what you can expect:

Basic Build-Out

$73 - 98/sqft
Paint, carpet, ceiling tiles, minor electrical. Ideal for move-in ready spaces.

Premium

$128 - 178+/sqft
Custom millwork, glass partitions, high-end finishes, advanced technology.

Factors That Affect Your Budget

  • Building Age: Older buildings may require electrical upgrades, asbestos abatement, or structural modifications
  • Permit Requirements: New York permitting can add 4-8 weeks and $5,000-50,000+ depending on scope
  • MEP Complexity: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing changes significantly impact cost
  • Timeline Pressure: Accelerated schedules may require overtime and premium pricing

Soft Costs & Fees

  • Architectural Fees: 5-15% of construction costs
  • Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) design
  • Permit & Impact Fees: City-specific municipal charges
  • Project Management: Optional oversight (3-5% of project)

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List of Office Renovation Contractors in New York

Browse 27 verified contractors serving New York. Filter by specialty, service type, or project size to find your perfect match.

27 contractors
CBRE Project Management project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate HQ Industrial Medical - Clinical

The global leader in commercial real estate and project delivery.

Clune Construction project

Clune Construction

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Build Only
Office - Tech Office - Legal Office - Corporate

National GC with a boutique feel, specializing in high-speed, high-finish interior build-outs.

Cushman & Wakefield project

Cushman & Wakefield

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate Industrial Retail - Storefront

Global real estate services firm delivering integrated project & development services.

John Gallin & Son project

John Gallin & Son

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - Legal Office - Corporate HQ

A New York legacy since 1886, building the spaces where business happens.

JRM Construction Management project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - Corporate HQ Retail - Luxury Office - Corporate

Employee-owned firm delivering world-class construction services for major brands.

King Rose Construction project

King Rose Construction

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - General Office - Corporate

Award-winning general contractor known for reliability and community focus.

L&K Partners project

L&K Partners

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
4,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - Financial Office - Corporate Industrial

Women-owned construction management firm specializing in high-end interiors.

M Moser Associates project

M Moser Associates

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Tech Office - Creative Office - Corporate

Specializing in workplace strategy and design-led construction for the world’s most innovative brands.

March Associates Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - Corporate Industrial Office - General

Full-service CM and GC offering fast-track construction in the Tristate area.

New York Interior Contracting project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft General Contracting
Retail - Showroom Retail - Storefront Office - Corporate

Specialists in high-end retail and showroom fit-outs.

Nikai Construction project

Nikai Construction

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - General Medical - Clinical Office - Startup

Agile construction firm specializing in high-quality interior fit-outs.

Schimenti Construction project

Schimenti Construction

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Construction Management
Retail - Storefront Hospitality Office - Corporate

National construction firm with deep roots in the NYC retail sector.

Shawmut Design and Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft Construction Management
Retail - Luxury Office - Corporate Hospitality

National construction management firm with a strong employee-owner culture.

Structure NYC project

Structure NYC

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,500+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Creative Retail - Luxury

Boutique firm combining general contracting with in-house custom millwork.

Structure Tone project

Structure Tone

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☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
10,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - Corporate HQ Office - Corporate Industrial

Global leader in construction management for corporate and commercial interiors.

Talisen Construction project

Talisen Construction

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - Corporate Medical - Clinical Office - Tech

A premier NY construction firm known for safety, collaboration, and client advocacy.

Unispace project

Unispace

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Creative Office - Tech

A global design firm with a unified methodology for seamless project delivery.

Vanguard Construction & Co. project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
3,000+ sqft Construction Management
Office - General Retail - Storefront Office - Corporate

Established in 1986, Vanguard delivers complex construction projects across NYC.

Woods Bagot project

Woods Bagot

✓ Verified
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Global Benchmarks Strategic Design

Global design leaders providing high-performance office environments for Brisbane's top firms.

Adir Contracting project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - Startup Office - General

Reliable general contractor for small to mid-sized renovations in NYC.

AECOM Tishman project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
20,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Corporate HQ Industrial Hospitality

Global infrastructure giant delivering iconic skyscrapers and major corporate headquarters.

Alta Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - Corporate Retail - Storefront Office - General

Full-service construction partner for innovative commercial solutions.

Ariel Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - General Office - Corporate

Leading design-build firm for trusted brands across NY and FL.

BVN project

BVN

☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
5,000+ sqft
Innovation Sustainability

An international architectural practice delivering award-winning workplace designs.

DanMarc Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - General Office - Startup

Versatile renovation experts for office and mixed-use spaces.

G-Net Construction project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
1,000+ sqft Design & Build
Office - Creative Retail - Storefront Office - General

Trusted commercial contractor serving NYC for over 65 years, specializing in tenant improvements.

The CHS Group project
☆☆☆☆☆ (0)
2,000+ sqft General Contracting
Office - Corporate Retail - Storefront Office - General

Full-service interior construction firm delivering high-quality commercial renovations.

RFP Service

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Finding the right contractor takes time. Our RFP service handles the entire process—we document your requirements, engage qualified New York contractors, manage the bidding, and deliver proposals ready for comparison.

  • We capture your requirements professionally
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  • You receive structured proposals in 2 weeks
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The New York Commercial Construction Process

Timeline Expectations

Commercial build-outs in New York typically follow this timeline:

  • Planning & Design (4-8 weeks): Space planning, architectural drawings, engineering
  • Permitting (3-8 weeks): Building department review and approval
  • Construction (8-20 weeks): Varies by size and complexity
  • Final Inspections (1-2 weeks): Certificate of occupancy

A standard 5,000 sqft office build-out takes approximately 4-6 months from design to move-in.

Choosing the Right Contractor

When evaluating contractors for your New York project, consider:

  • Licensing & Insurance: Verify active licenses and adequate coverage
  • Specialty Experience: Has the contractor completed similar projects?
  • References: Speak with recent clients about their experience
  • Project Size Fit: Match contractor capacity to your project scope
  • Communication Style: Ensure alignment on reporting and updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about commercial renovation in New York.

What is the average cost of a commercial build-out in New York?
Commercial build-out costs in New York typically range from $40-300+ per square foot depending on finish level and complexity. Basic cosmetic renovations run $40-80/sqft, standard tenant improvements cost $80-150/sqft, and high-end executive spaces can exceed $200-300/sqft. Factors like building age, MEP requirements, and permitting complexity significantly impact final costs.
How long does a typical commercial renovation take?
A standard 5,000 sqft office build-out takes 4-6 months from design to move-in. This includes 4-8 weeks for design, 3-8 weeks for permitting, and 8-16 weeks for construction. Larger or more complex projects can take 6-12 months. Fast-track schedules are possible at additional cost.
Do I need permits for my project?
Most commercial renovations require building permits. Cosmetic-only work (paint, carpet) may be exempt, but any structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC modifications require permits. Your contractor should handle the permit process, but budget 3-8 weeks and $5,000-50,000+ depending on project scope.
What's included in your RFP service?
Our RFP service includes professional scope of work documentation, distribution to 3-5 pre-qualified contractors in New York, bid comparison analysis, and a dedicated project manager to guide you through selection. Most clients receive competitive proposals within 2 weeks.
What's the difference between Design & Build vs. Build Only?
Design & Build contractors handle both architectural design and construction under one contract, offering streamlined communication and often faster timelines. Build Only contractors work from plans provided by your architect or designer, which can offer more design flexibility but requires additional coordination.