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I’m a first time homeowner; we just bought a wood frame house in a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn. I need to renovate a full bath, convert a half bath to a full, renovate the kitchen, install a new furnace, add an interior wall, upgrade electrical. The house in general is in good shape and the exterior is fine. I have an architect and a contractor, both of whom eye each other like vagrant cats in an alley. I really believe that my best path lies in the middle of the two, and though I have considered going alone with the contractor, I do believe the architect has a real value to the project.

The architect wants to stay by the book, get all the permits, move in after doing all the jobs. The contractor – who is licensed, insured, and knows what he’s doing – is more laid back. He says move in, start, set the permit in motion for the kitchen, but get going on the rest in the meantime. His route saves us money, but puts us at risk. I think he’s overall more realistic about my budget.

However, I’ve never renovated before so I’m not sure how to assess the risk vs. the cost of renting while renovating. I have friends that have gone both routes in the boom, but now that things are slowing down, someone warned me that the DOB has more time on its hands to issue violations. I would like to go with the contractor’s gut, but I don’t want to end up a cautionary tale. Any advice?