lead paint and appraisal

What's the point of adding this contingency? Say lead paint is discovered. Then what? You walk away? You need to assume lead paint is present in any NYC building erected before 1960. As long as your contractor takes the proper safeguards when renovating there should be no problem with lead dust.

Thanks. Working with lead paint is standard for most contractors in NY right? I've written to the person I'm working with, but am worried I won't hear from him over the weekend. I'm hoping to sign the contract tomorrow.

...Also I asked to have the appraisal removed. I have the idea that it's unnecessary. But I've never done this before. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

My experience is that most NYC contractors are well versed in dealing with lead paint removal. It usually requires a sealed environment, respirators, a HEPA vacuum and careful disposal. Can't really weigh in re: the appraisal, but I imagine since you are purchasing all-cash it may not be necessary. Check with your attorney on this, though.

Thanks! So the removal will cost extra? Perhaps add another $5000 or so from what I am reading? I can live with that. I'm so bummed that my attorney wrote to the seller lawyer about these contingencies without telling me. I hope I haven't lost the deal.

Gelleresque,

Contractors all need to be EPA certified, make sure yours is. If there is lead the contractor just has to take certain precautions

If that is standard, then I think he must be. He comes highly recommended from a friend who is an architect and I can't imagine he's never done a prewar in NY. But if he does feel a lead test is necessary and we do it after closing, and he has to take certain precautions, do you think the price will rise excessively? The apartment has a number of structural walls and I have asked to keep all the old doors, transoms and french doors. I'm pretty sure e mentioned lead paint to me when he came and looked at the apartment. But I can't remember if he said I should test for it or not.

When we did our prewar reno, which included extensive paint stripping and restoration of original molding and woodwork, we did not do any lead testing--we assumed lead was present in our 1909 apartment and proceeded accordingly.

As primer mentions, the contractor should be certified to take these standard precautions. There should not be any extra cost for disposal, save for whatever your contractor would normally charge to haul away debris.

Bramstar and Primer05: Thanks! I just wrote to the attorney and copied the building's rep asking to remove all contingencies. Kee[ing my fingers crossed now that all will be well.

Geller - I wish I had something to sell you. You sound like the perfect buyer - competing against yourself and panicking about losing your deal over reasonable protections (particularly after deciding to ignore everybody's warnings about the state of your coop http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/36992-co-op-financial-scenario-please-evaluate). Maybe the seller is on Streeteasy and will reward your desperation with a price increase.