ok for contractor using someone else's license?

it is not ok and not legal, but it is the only way you can do a renovation under $500/sqft in NYC

don't give a sh** to gamble your management office/condo board is strict or not, they will show their fang whenever they got a chance. just bribe them a few grands

Most GCs sub contract plumbing and electrical work. Just make sure that they are licensed and have insurance for the subs.

I would make sure you find out up front what happens if building MGMT finds out and forces the actual licensees to be doing the work.

I would be more concerned that the GC can actually do the work correctly and to code. Those two areas have sub-specialties for a reason. Heaven forbid a year later there is a fire that was started due to faulty electric work from your apartment.

Two areas we did not skimp on when we did our renovation: plumbing and electrical work.

Thank you for your feedback.

300_mercer: He says he will provide license and insurance for the plumbing and electricity, and has says that there is no reason management wouldn't accept it. He also says he has worked this way for a 5 years (he is fairly young and still building his business) and has never had any issues with it.

30yrs_RE_20_in_REO: I have a friend who lives in the building who says the management office is pretty low key and hands off and probably wouldn't know, as long as proper license + insurance is presented.

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I also just talked to a retired electrician from Long Island that I know who says it should be fine, and that this is pretty common everywhere. He did suggest however that I get a "roughing inspection" (someone from the city comes and makes sure the prelim work looks good) and a "final inspection" (to make sure everything was done correctly) done. Is that optional, required, or just not done in NYC?

When I asked my GC about that, it was almost like he didn't even know what I was talking about. He said he has had supers of the buildings he is working in come and look at the work, but that he's never had someone from the city come.

Are these jobs being filed/permitted?

I would make sure the licensed plumber and electrician check the work after it is completed but before it is covered with tiles / drywall. If plumbing and electrical permits are filed, the DOB inspector may come and inspect. Most times, they do not come.

30yrs_RE_20_in_REO and 300_mercer: No plans to file permits. I don't understand why most of the GCs with whom I've consulted (some with excellent reviews on Angie's List, etc.) have said there is no need to file any permits, and only GC said he would.

Is it illegal to renovate without filing permits? What are the pros and cons of filing?