Custom Home Builder in Chappaqua, NY

Westchester Custom Home Building Service Serving Chappaqua

Teardown-rebuilds and new homes in Chappaqua and the Town of New Castle, from F.A.R. worksheets and ARB review to the certificate of occupancy, managed by one Guardian project manager.

Rebuilding on an Established Chappaqua Street

Most new houses in Chappaqua replace an older one. Lots in the Town of New Castle are zoned in quarter-acre, half-acre, one-acre and two-acre districts, and the neighborhoods near the train station and the hamlet center were built out long ago. That makes a teardown the usual route to a new home.

New Castle controls size through a floor area ratio and coverage limits rather than setbacks alone. The Town’s F.A.R. and Coverage worksheet goes in with the building permit, so it’s the first thing we complete with your architect.

From Frame to Finish: Home Styles That Suit Chappaqua, NY

Real Guardian Remodeling Corp project photos, from framing and roof sheathing to finished exteriors and interiors.

New Castle Approvals for a New House

Architectural Review Board

Required before a building permit, with few exceptions. The ARB has reviewed New Castle construction since 1956.

Health Department

Westchester County approval of the septic design for new residences on septic.

Steep slopes, wetlands, trees

Separate Town permits where the lot calls for them.

Demolition permit

Requires Con Edison approval; the fee is based on cost.

Building permit

Survey, site plans, three sealed plan sets, the F.A.R. worksheet and truss certification.

Where to file

The Building Department at 200 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua.

Designing for the ARB

New Castle’s ARB looks at how a house sits on its street: scale relative to neighbors, roof forms, materials, windows and how the garage is placed. Many recent Chappaqua houses use a center-hall colonial or modern farmhouse vocabulary, but the board’s concern is fit, not a particular style.

Our role is to keep the design buildable and priced while it moves through review. When the board asks for a change, we tell you what it does to cost before you agree to it.

A Chappaqua Teardown, Step by Step

1. Feasibility

Zoning district, F.A.R., coverage and septic or sewer confirmed for the lot.

2. Design & ARB

Drawings developed and presented for architectural review.

3. Permits

Health Department, any slope, wetland or tree permits, then the building permit.

4. Demolition

Con Edison approval, utility disconnects and an asbestos survey where required.

5. Construction

Foundation to finishes with Town inspections throughout.

6. Certificate

Final inspections and the certificate of occupancy.

Chappaqua Custom Home FAQs

Does a new house in Chappaqua need architectural review?

Yes. In the Town of New Castle, Architectural Review Board approval is needed before a building permit with few exceptions, so plan on a new house going before the board. We bring elevations, materials and the site plan to the ARB before the permit is filed.

What's in a New Castle building permit package?

The Building Department lists a survey, two site plans that show the septic system where there is one, three sealed sets of plans, the F.A.R. and Coverage worksheet and a truss certification where trusses are used. New residences on septic also need Westchester County Department of Health approval.

Can we demolish the existing house right away?

Not until the demolition permit is issued, and New Castle requires Con Edison’s approval for it. The demolition fee is based on cost: $150 for the first $1,000 plus $18 for each additional $1,000.

Are there other permits?

Depending on the lot, New Castle may require steep-slope, wetland or tree-removal permits. We identify them during feasibility so they’re filed alongside the rest.

Planning a Chappaqua Rebuild?

Tell us the address. We’ll check the zoning district and F.A.R. and outline the ARB and permit path.

Guardian Remodeling Corp · 143 Lake Shore Dr W, Carmel, NY 10512 · 914-912-0385 · Frank@guardianremodelingcorp.com