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July 28, 2008
what are the rules for fixing up a bathroom or kitchen yourself?
I want to replace the tubs and toilet and kitchen cabinets myself. but i don't want to hire contractors for it.
is there rules to this?
Comments
Are you in a condo/co-op/condop or do you own your own home (i.e. brownstone or detached home)?
I'm in a condo and redid the renovations myself. I informed the management company and did it. They tried to get me to "hire" approved people but I basically told them to piss off and I'll hire whoever I damn want, (even if it was myself and my friends).
Good luck.
Posted by: guest at July 28, 2008 5:02 PM
own home, we have a jackass neighbor i'm worry about. he won't even let me park my own car in drive way next to our garage.
just some old racist not happy with people moving into his hood.
i'm afraid he'll call the cops etc.. i want to know the rules for this. so when they do come, i can print out and say mind your own god damn business.
Posted by: armchairwarrior at July 28, 2008 5:14 PM
Replacing the toilet and the tubs requires the work of a licensed plumber. If you're asking for the regulations
Posted by: Smokychimp at July 28, 2008 6:33 PM
Close your curtains before you do any work. In a house you own it is possible to do the work on your own. Several owners do some improvements and repairs.
Replacig a toilet in the same location does not require a licensed plumber. Handymen in apartment buildings do it all day long with no license.Repacig the tub is complicated get a plumber for that.
You can always call a licensed and insured company to reglaze it. You need their insurance in case they screw it up
Smokeychimp is an architect. so he thinks everybody has to be a genius with a license,
Posted by: madamlee at July 28, 2008 7:12 PM
thanks :).
Posted by: armchairwarrior at July 28, 2008 10:58 PM
Madamlee the question asked was are there regulations to replacing plumbing fixtures. The answer is yes, there are. I'm not judging Armchair on whether or not he wants to follow the rules, I am answering the question as to whether they are there or not -- see the "if" in my answer above. Replacing fixtures legally requires a plumbing repair slip and that requires a licensed plumber. If Armchair wants to do this on his own, or with friends, then he isn't going to be concerned about a repair slip.
On the other hand your clever advice to close the curtains is really, really going to be effective if the neighbor has it in for him, isn't it? That'll sure stop the neighbor in his tracks.
Posted by: Smokychimp at July 29, 2008 10:38 AM
smokychimp- what about all the DIY'ers? the work is illegal? We renovated my bathroom and moved the old clawfoot tubs around, and put in a new sink using handymen who knew what they were doing- but you're saying we should have applied for a plumbing repair slip?
Posted by: bxgrl at July 29, 2008 12:47 PM
Bxgrl,
I was trying to give a neutral answer Armchair's question, which is what procedure is on the books. I don't care what he ends up doing, other than that I wish him well on his project. As I see his question, he's asking about the rules so if the angry neighbor calls it in or harasses him, he's covered.
For that matter I'm glad your project turned out nicely too, but you're asking me "should" you have done it that way? That's sort of a different question. Are you asking what the risks are? or what liability is out there?
Posted by: Smokychimp at July 29, 2008 5:06 PM
smokeychimp
no matter what your thoughts are, we love you anyway.
You are good at sharing information without being pretentious.
The bottom line, you know your stuff and everybody learns from it.
Posted by: madamlee at July 29, 2008 8:39 PM
madamlee,
THANKS! you got me all riled up there! no offense, right?
Posted by: Smokychimp at July 29, 2008 11:20 PM
Yeah, Smokychimp. I agree that you have a great, unpretentious and informative style. I always find your posts really helpful. Thanks!
Posted by: Brooklynista at July 30, 2008 5:37 PM
As a fellow architect, I am enjoying Smokychimp's comments and am glad to see the other posters appreciating his or her style. My little personal rant is a two part one:
1. Even though the conditions are different in NYC than in other jurisdictions, I still think it's ridiculous that owner must legally hire an architect for moving a wall and I don't see why the building department can't sign off on these simple items. I think it's better and safer in the long run for people to spend their money on a licensed, competent contractor than on an architect and expeditor for something than really requires neither.
2.That said, it's amazing how many people do things illegally and then get all riled up when things go terribly wrong and blame the Building Department. Yes, there is corruption and laziness, but it's also very understaffed and low paying.
Posted by: Ettuluna at August 9, 2008 8:52 AM
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