Thinking about remodeling your condo?
Here are 7 questions to ask.
Whether you’ve lived in your condo for years or you’re just moving in, you probably have some things you’d love to change.
Maybe you want a more open floor plan, a bigger kitchen, or a dedicated office space. Maybe you’ve thought about turning a spare bedroom into a walk-in closet, or a library.
The good news is you can probably do more with your condo unit than you might think.
Obviously, cosmetic updates—new cabinets, updated tile, refinished flooring—are almost always possible in a condo. But what you may not realize is that, depending on your building, you may also be able to open up the floor plan, move a wall, add a bathroom, or combine two bedrooms into one.
Turn an older Twin Cities condo into a fresh, modern space.
The key is to understand your building’s rules—and find the right remodeler.
It matters which remodeler you choose.
Finding someone to remodel your condo unit is challenging for several reasons. Many remodelers won’t touch a condo because they don’t want to deal with all the additional challenges:
- For starters, unlike a single-family home, a condo building has rules.
- Also, because you share walls, floors, and common spaces with neighbors who didn’t sign up for a construction project, extra precautions must be taken to minimize disruption.
- Special attention must be paid to the structural integrity of the entire building, beyond just the unit being remodeled.
- And, the plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems can’t always be moved, making the design much more difficult.
Many contractors take one look at that list of challenges and pass on condo remodeling completely. Others may be willing, but are not adequately equipped to handle the nuances of this kind of work.
If you’re looking into remodelers for your condo project, here are a few questions to ask:
1. Do they handle both the design and the build?
A condo remodel isn’t just a construction project—it’s a design challenge. Look for a good design/build firm that includes both skilled designers and experienced project managers. In a condo, the margin for surprises is lower and the coordination demands are higher, so it’s critical to have a solid, integrated team.
2. Are they experienced with constrained spaces and complex remodels?
A condo presents a unique set of challenges. You’re working within a fixed envelope, around systems you can’t always move, in a building with rules about what you can change. That’s why it’s so important you find a contractor who can navigate challenging situations and think outside the box.
For example, a design/build firm that specializes in remodeling older homes would likely be better equipped to work on your condo than a firm that has only ever remodeled sprawling suburban homes. Why? They know how to do things like add space without adding square footage, and they’re experienced at working in quirky spaces with unexpected challenges.
Look for a contractor who is genuinely comfortable with complexity, and who has proven they can turn tight restrictions into beautiful, functional spaces.
3. How rigorous is their pre-construction (and pre-design) process?
In a condo remodel, the investigation that happens before the design even begins is critical. A good contractor looks into how your building was constructed, what structural components are in place, what can be adjusted, where there are constraints, and much more. Look for a design/build firm that will conduct a thorough investigation before anything begins.
4. What experience do they have with building systems?
The right contractor will understand exactly how gas, electrical, and plumbing systems run through your building, and they’ll be clear on what the building will allow mechanically, not just what looks good on a drawing. If they’ve never worked in a condo, this will be a bigger lift. Look for someone experienced with condo systems.
5. How familiar are they with association approvals?
Many condo associations require board approval before any remodeling work can begin. That process typically includes a review of the contractor, the scope of the work, and the project timeline. Some buildings have additional requirements—like insurance minimums and specific permitting steps. Others require that you use approved vendor lists.
A contractor who’s worked in condos knows how to help you through that process smoothly. And if they’ve worked in your building before and are recommended by your neighbors, even better.
6. How robust is their project management process? What about their communication standards?
Good project management and clear communication matter on any remodel—but in a condo, they matter exponentially more. While a remodel of a single-family home requires tight coordination between your household, your design team, and all the subcontractors involved, a condo includes all of that plus many more stakeholders, from building management to the association board to neighbors.
Most associations have specific rules around construction hours, hallway protection from the elevator to your door, daily cleanup, and debris removal. Sound transmission through shared floors and walls has to be planned for—the right underlayments, the right approach to shared walls, etc.
A contractor with a strong project management system will be prepared to handle all of this for you.
Look for someone that can also give you (and your building’s stakeholders) daily updates, clear timelines, and a single point of contact who knows what’s happening at all times. Ask for specifics: How will you communicate with me during construction? How often? Who is my point of contact? What happens when something unexpected comes up?
7. What kind of accountability will they take for what happens inside your unit, and within the building?
In a condo, your contractor is responsible for how the project affects you—and everyone around you. Hallways, elevators, shared spaces, and neighboring units are all part of the job site in a way they aren’t in a single-family home. Look for a team that takes ownership of the full project—the logistics of getting materials in and debris out without damaging common areas, the communication with building management, and the day-to-day conduct on site, as well as the final product.
Where to start
The most important step in your condo remodel is finding the right design/build team. Once you find a partner you trust, you’ll want to bring them in early—before you’ve finalized what you want to do.
The right team can help you understand what’s possible in your building, ask the right questions of your board, and build a plan that accounts for everything the project involves, not just the parts that happen inside your walls.
Ready to talk through your ideas?
Many local condo owners trust White Crane Design:Build with their projects. White Crane specializes in renovating complex, restrictive spaces. Their team is known for smart construction, innovative solutions, and beautiful design. Set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a White Crane designer to get some initial thoughts on your condo project.
