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Home repairs in Queens: guides and a licensed local pro
Queens has more single- and two-family houses than any other borough except Staten Island, plus large co-op and garden-apartment complexes and newer condos in Long Island City. Here's what Queens homeowners and landlords should know, with links to every Queens guide we've written.
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Queens housing stock
Brick two-family and attached row houses fill neighborhoods like Astoria, Ridgewood, Middle Village and Woodhaven. Detached houses are common in Bayside, Douglaston, Fresh Meadows, Hollis and the Rockaways. Co-ops and garden apartments dominate parts of Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Rego Park and Kew Gardens, and Long Island City is mostly newer high-rise condos and rentals.
Common problems
- Basement water and sewer backups in heavy rain. Many Queens basements flooded in recent severe storms, so backwater valves and drainage are worth discussing with a licensed plumber.
- Boilers and water heaters near the end of their life in older houses.
- Low upstairs water pressure from corroded galvanized pipe.
- Electrical capacity for mini-splits, induction ranges and EV chargers.
- Co-op paperwork: COIs and alteration agreements before any contractor can work.
NYC rules that matter in Queens
- Owners and landlords: if you rent out part of a two-family, you're the landlord, with legal duties for heat (Oct 1 – May 31) and hot water (all year).
- Private sewer lines: the line from your house to the city sewer is the owner's responsibility; DEP handles the city sewer (report problems to 311).
- Licenses: plumbing and gas need a DOB Licensed Master Plumber, electrical needs a DOB Licensed Master Electrician, and home improvement over $200 needs a DCWP license.
- Basements: converting a basement or cellar into living space has strict building-code requirements. Talk to a licensed professional before you build.
Utilities
Most of Queens gets electricity from Con Edison; the Rockaways are served by PSEG Long Island. Gas comes from either National Grid or Con Edison depending on the neighborhood, so check your bill and save the right emergency number.
Before you hire in Queens
Say whether it's a one- or two-family house, a co-op or a condo, and whether a tenant lives in part of the building. For basement water, ask the plumber to check the house trap, the main line and whether a backwater valve makes sense before you pay for waterproofing. For co-ops in Jackson Heights, Forest Hills or Rego Park, get the managing agent's COI wording and work-hour rules first and send them with your request. Compare written quotes that list exactly what's included.
Queens guides
Citywide guides that apply in Queens
Questions
Who supplies gas in Queens?
It depends on the neighborhood: parts of Queens are served by National Grid and others by Con Edison. Your bill shows which.
Who fixes a sewer backup in a Queens house?
Report it to 311 so DEP can check the city sewer. If the city sewer is clear, the private line is the owner's responsibility and needs a Licensed Master Plumber.
Is Five Boro Fix free for Queens homeowners?
Yes. Participating pros pay us a referral fee. We're a matching service, not a contractor.
Sources
Rules and phone numbers can change. Check the official source before relying on them.
Other boroughs: Manhattan · Brooklyn · The Bronx · Staten Island · All NYC home repair guides
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