How to Get Your Co-op Board to Approve Your Painting Project
COIs, alteration agreements, building hours — the paperwork can be more daunting than the paint. Here's exactly what NYC co-op and condo boards want, and how to sail through approval.
By NYC Painting Pros Team
In a New York co-op or condo, the painting is the easy part — it's the approvals that trip people up. The good news: boards aren't trying to stop your project, they're trying to protect the building. Give them what they need and approval is usually quick.
Here's the checklist that gets you a yes.
1. The Certificate of Insurance (COI)
This is non-negotiable in almost every building. Your painter must provide a COI naming the building and managing agent as additional insured, with the liability limits your building requires (often $1–2M). A professional company issues these same-day; if a contractor can't, that's a red flag.
2. Check for an alteration agreement
Most interior painting is cosmetic and doesn't trigger an alteration agreement — but some buildings require one for any contractor work. Ask your managing agent early so it doesn't delay your start date.
3. Confirm building work hours
Buildings restrict when contractor work can happen — typically weekday daytime hours. Your painter should schedule crews to those windows and reserve the freight elevator with the super in advance.
4. Submit early and in writing
Send the managing agent your painter's COI, the scope of work, and proposed dates well before you want to start. Doing it in writing creates a clean record and speeds the board's sign-off.
A same-day COI, a written scope, and respect for building hours are 90% of board approval. Hire a painter who handles this paperwork for you and the rest is easy.
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