How can I get a construction permit signed off on and closed myself? I had work done in my apartment over the winter. The permit was obtained by my contractor via an expeditor. The work was completed but there are some aspects that I am unhappy with and I am now in dispute with the contractor over the amount of the final payment. This has been going on since April and the contractor is being very... [more]
How can I get a construction permit signed off on and closed myself? I had work done in my apartment over the winter. The permit was obtained by my contractor via an expeditor. The work was completed but there are some aspects that I am unhappy with and I am now in dispute with the contractor over the amount of the final payment. This has been going on since April and the contractor is being very unresponsive even though I still owe several thousand dollars. We were in mediation with the Dept. of Consumer Affairs but this was not successful, mainly because of the contractors lack of response. The DOCA has now referred the case to their legal team, but I learned today that it could be six months or more before our case is heard before a judge. My question is, can I have the permit closed myself? I spoke with someone at the DOB and he said that I need to go down to the DOB office at 280 Broadway and sign up to be made an affiliate to the job/permit. I could then request an inspection which could then lead to the closing of the permit. Does anyone have any insight or experience to share about this process? Many thanks!
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Response by front_porch
about 8 years ago
Posts: 5311
Member since: Mar 2008
my experience with 280 Broadway is that if you show up and are polite enough, someone will show you the ropes. That someone might be a second expeditor, who would want you to pay him/her in order to facilitate your being added to the permit, and scheduling the inspection but I think that's your worst case. Just clear some time for your visit because, like other city offices, it can get busy.
ali r.
{downtown broker}
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Response by KAS61
about 8 years ago
Posts: 126
Member since: Mar 2012
Thanks, Ali. Do you know what documentation I would need to take with me in order to be added to the permit?
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Response by front_porch
about 8 years ago
Posts: 5311
Member since: Mar 2008
KAS61,
I don't know. I would hazard a guess that you're going to want a photo ID, evidence that you live at that address (cable or Con Ed bill or similar) and a copy of your agreement with the contractor ... but I am completely making that up.
If you're planning on coming in next week, give me a shout at upstairsrealty at gmail . My office is at 325, and, if I'm around I'm happy to buy you a cup of coffee.
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Response by KAS61
about 8 years ago
Posts: 126
Member since: Mar 2012
Thanks! That's very nice of you!!
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Response by Primer05
about 8 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Kas
Where is the architect? Generally, once the plumber and electrician have signed off the architect signs off. Do you know if the plumber and electrician signed off? I do not think you can go in and close the permit yourself and I would be worried that if the plumbing rough wasn't signed off and the inspector comes then you might have to open your walls. Feel free to email me at primerenovations@mac.com and I will look up to see whats open. Do you have any relationship with the subs?
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Response by KAS61
about 8 years ago
Posts: 126
Member since: Mar 2012
Primer - Thank you! I have sent you an email. I appreciate your rime.
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Response by KAS61
about 8 years ago
Posts: 126
Member since: Mar 2012
time!
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Response by kaarrll_1393124
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 12
Member since: Feb 2014
Hi again everyone,
I am afraid to say that I am not much further forward with my issue. I contacted the expediter directly and was surprised to discover that she is very willing to help and, initially, did not see an obstacle with closing the permit even though we are in conflict with the contractor who did the work. However, she has since discovered that the contractor's insurance has inspired and for this reason says she cannot request the inspection. She suggested that we open an account with the DOB and request the inspection. We did this, but then she said that the DOB would not in fact allow us to be added to the permit. She is now saying tat the best course of action is to get someone who is already named on the permit to do this. This would be either the building assistant super or the board president. She has contacted the super but I think he is wary of getting involved and she is not having much luck with convincing him that it is just a formality.
Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer?
What are the repercussions of not losing the construction permit? The electrical and plumbing permits are both closed.
This is such a frustrating process. The project was finished in April 2017, so it is really dragging on now. We have filed a complaint against the contractor with the DOB. They have agreed to allow our case to go to a hearing, but said that it could take six months to a year. Will the tribunal be able to force the contractor to close the permit?
This is a big drag for us and we are beginning to despair.
Many thanks in advance.
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Response by front_porch
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 5311
Member since: Mar 2008
Despair not! I would think that the main repercussion of not closing the construction permit is that you can't sell to a buyer who needs mortgage financing, because we're in a tight lending environment and I think most, if not all, banks are going to balk at an open permit. Similarly, you probably can't refinance.
If you are going to continue living there and don't need to refinance because you're happy with your existing loan. I don't think it's a major issue. If you want to sell, but are happy with the smaller pool of cash buyers, that should be doable though there would be buyer-seller negotiations about how to deal with the permit point. (If I were on buyer's side I would ask you to leave some escrow as an assurance that someday it gets cleaned up.)
I am pretty mid-career (I only started doing this about a dozen years ago) but my impression from the veterans is that permits used to be left hanging all the time, and it only became a problem when the banks got uptight. 30_yrs or oldbroker or any other eminences grises care to comment?
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Response by Squid
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 1399
Member since: Sep 2008
Have you offered a little 'green' incentive to the super to 'get involved'? That might do the trick... Also, you should indeed contact your building mgmt company - they might be able to help.
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Response by kaarrll_1393124
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 12
Member since: Feb 2014
front_porch, We have no immediate plans to sell or refinance. Perhaps in 10 years or so. Still, we 'd rather get all these loose ends tied up now.
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Response by kaarrll_1393124
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 12
Member since: Feb 2014
Squid: Yes, it may take that. The Assistant Super is essentially part of the management company. It is a very large building. Both he and the Super deal with all resident issues. The building manager does all the finances etc. The Assistant Super is definitely the right person to talk to in the building. He is named on the permit and, together with the Co-op Board President, approved the project. Thanks.
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Response by Primer05
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
KAS61,
In my experience, once the plumbing and electrical are signed off the architect then can sign off.
We always "pull" the permit through the expeditor and then architect signs off, what is your relationship with the architect?
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Response by Primer05
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
KAS61,
In my experience, once the plumbing and electrical are signed off the architect then can sign off.
We always "pull" the permit through the expeditor and then architect signs off, what is your relationship with the architect?
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Response by kaarrll_1393124
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 12
Member since: Feb 2014
We have no relationship with the architect. We used a design and building company. They hired the architect to make the formal drawings, once it became apparent that the building would require us to have a construction permit.
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Response by Primer05
almost 8 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
There are different kinds of Design-Build companies. They either use an in-house architect or the just work closely with one. I believe if it is the latter you should reach out to the architect directly and have them sign off the project.
I would be more than happy to help you if you want, I am not soliciting, this would be free.
you can email me at primerenovations@mac.com please send me the job address and apt number so I can look up the permit and see who filed
If you want to speak over the phone you can call me at 646-436-3942
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my experience with 280 Broadway is that if you show up and are polite enough, someone will show you the ropes. That someone might be a second expeditor, who would want you to pay him/her in order to facilitate your being added to the permit, and scheduling the inspection but I think that's your worst case. Just clear some time for your visit because, like other city offices, it can get busy.
ali r.
{downtown broker}
Thanks, Ali. Do you know what documentation I would need to take with me in order to be added to the permit?
KAS61,
I don't know. I would hazard a guess that you're going to want a photo ID, evidence that you live at that address (cable or Con Ed bill or similar) and a copy of your agreement with the contractor ... but I am completely making that up.
If you're planning on coming in next week, give me a shout at upstairsrealty at gmail . My office is at 325, and, if I'm around I'm happy to buy you a cup of coffee.
Thanks! That's very nice of you!!
Kas
Where is the architect? Generally, once the plumber and electrician have signed off the architect signs off. Do you know if the plumber and electrician signed off? I do not think you can go in and close the permit yourself and I would be worried that if the plumbing rough wasn't signed off and the inspector comes then you might have to open your walls. Feel free to email me at primerenovations@mac.com and I will look up to see whats open. Do you have any relationship with the subs?
Primer - Thank you! I have sent you an email. I appreciate your rime.
time!
Hi again everyone,
I am afraid to say that I am not much further forward with my issue. I contacted the expediter directly and was surprised to discover that she is very willing to help and, initially, did not see an obstacle with closing the permit even though we are in conflict with the contractor who did the work. However, she has since discovered that the contractor's insurance has inspired and for this reason says she cannot request the inspection. She suggested that we open an account with the DOB and request the inspection. We did this, but then she said that the DOB would not in fact allow us to be added to the permit. She is now saying tat the best course of action is to get someone who is already named on the permit to do this. This would be either the building assistant super or the board president. She has contacted the super but I think he is wary of getting involved and she is not having much luck with convincing him that it is just a formality.
Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer?
What are the repercussions of not losing the construction permit? The electrical and plumbing permits are both closed.
This is such a frustrating process. The project was finished in April 2017, so it is really dragging on now. We have filed a complaint against the contractor with the DOB. They have agreed to allow our case to go to a hearing, but said that it could take six months to a year. Will the tribunal be able to force the contractor to close the permit?
This is a big drag for us and we are beginning to despair.
Many thanks in advance.
Despair not! I would think that the main repercussion of not closing the construction permit is that you can't sell to a buyer who needs mortgage financing, because we're in a tight lending environment and I think most, if not all, banks are going to balk at an open permit. Similarly, you probably can't refinance.
If you are going to continue living there and don't need to refinance because you're happy with your existing loan. I don't think it's a major issue. If you want to sell, but are happy with the smaller pool of cash buyers, that should be doable though there would be buyer-seller negotiations about how to deal with the permit point. (If I were on buyer's side I would ask you to leave some escrow as an assurance that someday it gets cleaned up.)
I am pretty mid-career (I only started doing this about a dozen years ago) but my impression from the veterans is that permits used to be left hanging all the time, and it only became a problem when the banks got uptight. 30_yrs or oldbroker or any other eminences grises care to comment?
Have you offered a little 'green' incentive to the super to 'get involved'? That might do the trick... Also, you should indeed contact your building mgmt company - they might be able to help.
front_porch, We have no immediate plans to sell or refinance. Perhaps in 10 years or so. Still, we 'd rather get all these loose ends tied up now.
Squid: Yes, it may take that. The Assistant Super is essentially part of the management company. It is a very large building. Both he and the Super deal with all resident issues. The building manager does all the finances etc. The Assistant Super is definitely the right person to talk to in the building. He is named on the permit and, together with the Co-op Board President, approved the project. Thanks.
KAS61,
In my experience, once the plumbing and electrical are signed off the architect then can sign off.
We always "pull" the permit through the expeditor and then architect signs off, what is your relationship with the architect?
KAS61,
In my experience, once the plumbing and electrical are signed off the architect then can sign off.
We always "pull" the permit through the expeditor and then architect signs off, what is your relationship with the architect?
We have no relationship with the architect. We used a design and building company. They hired the architect to make the formal drawings, once it became apparent that the building would require us to have a construction permit.
There are different kinds of Design-Build companies. They either use an in-house architect or the just work closely with one. I believe if it is the latter you should reach out to the architect directly and have them sign off the project.
I would be more than happy to help you if you want, I am not soliciting, this would be free.
you can email me at primerenovations@mac.com please send me the job address and apt number so I can look up the permit and see who filed
If you want to speak over the phone you can call me at 646-436-3942