Lake Hiawatha sits in the northern part of Parsippany-Troy Hills, near the Rockaway River. Most of the streets were built out with modest postwar houses: Cape Cods, ranches and a few split-levels on lots that often come with a basement and a detached garage out back. Many of these homes are now on their second or third owner, and the original kitchens, single baths and unfinished basements are usually the first things people want to change.
We are working on one of these houses right now, a Lake Hiawatha home where we remodeled the kitchen in 2025 and are now building a covered outdoor kitchen in the backyard.
The Lake Hiawatha kitchen remodel
The old kitchen was closed in and dated. We opened the room up and rebuilt it around a long island so the kitchen works for both cooking and sitting down. The finished room has white shaker cabinets running to the ceiling, glass-front uppers, a stainless range hood, quartz counters and a large quartz island with waterfall ends on both sides. A row of black cage pendants hangs over the island, and wood-look tile runs through the space.
The cabinets and island went in at the end of June 2025, and the kitchen was finished in early July 2025. The photos below were taken right at completion, which is why the floor protection is still down.
The same house also got bathroom, basement and detached-garage work from our crew, handled as part of the overall project.
Outdoor kitchen pavilion (in progress)
In spring 2026 we started a backyard project for the same homeowners: a covered pavilion with a cedar ceiling and exposed beams, a stone-veneer outdoor kitchen and a paver patio. As of May 2026 the structure is up and the outdoor kitchen is being installed. This part of the job is still in progress, so the photo below shows ladders and materials on site. We will add finished photos when it is done.
Working on Lake Hiawatha homes
- Capes and ranches. Opening up walls between the kitchen and dining room is common, and it often means checking whether a wall is bearing and sizing a beam before anything comes down.
- Basements. Many basements here were built as utility space. Finishing one usually starts with moisture control, then framing, insulation, electrical, egress where needed and durable flooring.
- Detached garages. Older garages often need new doors, roofing, slab repair or power run out from the house. We can also turn them into workshops or storage.
- Baths. Many of these homes started with a single small bath. We update existing baths and add new ones where the layout allows.
- Older wiring and plumbing. Houses from this era can have outdated panels, ungrounded circuits or galvanized pipes. We find these early and price them into the estimate.
Permits and inspections in Parsippany-Troy Hills
Lake Hiawatha is part of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, so construction permits for work here are issued by the township under New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code. Most remodels that touch plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical systems or structure need a permit, and so do outdoor structures like pavilions. Work is inspected at the rough-in stage before walls or ceilings are closed, and again at final. Some properties near the river may also have floodplain considerations. We prepare the applications, schedule the inspections and keep the paperwork organized so the permits are closed out at the end.
Services in Lake Hiawatha and Parsippany
- Kitchen remodeling, including islands and opened-up layouts.
- Bathroom remodeling.
- Basement finishing.
- Detached garage repairs and upgrades.
- Outdoor kitchens, covered patios and pavers.
- Additions and gut renovations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen in Parsippany-Troy Hills?
Usually, yes. Moving or adding plumbing, new electrical circuits, gas work and most structural changes need construction permits from the township under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. Purely cosmetic work like painting or swapping cabinet doors generally does not. We review the scope at the walkthrough and handle the permit applications for you.
Who schedules the inspections?
We do. Inspections typically happen at rough-in (framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical) before walls are closed, and again at final. We coordinate those visits with the township so the job keeps moving and you end up with closed-out permits.
Is Lake Hiawatha part of Parsippany?
Yes. Lake Hiawatha is a neighborhood within Parsippany-Troy Hills Township in Morris County, so permits and inspections for Lake Hiawatha homes go through the township.
Can you finish a basement or fix up a detached garage in Lake Hiawatha?
Yes. Many homes here have basements and detached garages, and we handle both: moisture control, framing, insulation, electrical, flooring and finishes for basements, and repairs, new doors, power and interior upgrades for garages.
Do you build outdoor kitchens and covered patios?
Yes. We are currently building a covered pavilion with a stone outdoor kitchen on pavers for a Lake Hiawatha homeowner. That project is still in progress, and we can walk you through what goes into one, including footings, framing, gas and electrical, and the required permits.
Talk to us
Hoboken GC LLC is licensed (NJ HIC #13VH13409900) and insured, and we work across North Jersey, including Morris County. Call (201) 815-4260 for a free walkthrough. More photos are in our project gallery.