Forum
« Impossible to Find Landscape Contractor Bring Your Contractor Process »
July 10, 2008
what is involved in moving pipes?
We are renovating an upstairs room, turning it into a bathroom, which means bringing in a sewer pipe either from the floor below or the bathroom next door. My contractor says this requires a permit, which requires an architect to sign off on the job, which could add a couple thousand dollars to the job. Does this sound right? Will an architect do something small like this, and how is the fee calculated? Any tips?
Comments
Yes, you need a permit. Sure you can probably find some one to do it with out a permit.
But if you are caught, you will get a fine. And the DOB right now is not the org. you want to mess with. They're handing out so many violations, Stop work Orders and Audits.
Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 12:37 PM
Do get a permit. You can have an architect minimally involved so that you pay less. If you know what you want to do, call architects around and tell them what your plan is, if they are willing to do it and how much it will cost. They need to draw the plans and possibly you (I've always had an expediter) need to file them with the DoB. When they are approved, your contractor can pull his permit.
In the scale of things, it shouldn't add that much. Moreover, by having another professional looking at your ideas you can get them validated. A lot of people do truly crazy things that cost them (and their houses) in the long term.
Good luck.
Posted by: Ray at July 10, 2008 1:00 PM
If by "next door" you mean somebody else's home, you probably will need an architect and you definitely want to keep your nose clean with DOB in case that person files a complaint.
Otherwise, you probably don't need an architect. A licensed plumber can pull the permit for a job like this.
Posted by: Steve at July 10, 2008 1:26 PM
Wait, if you're building an entirely new bathroom, yes, you'll need an architect. You just wouldn't need one for the pipe question if the work was done completely on your premises.
Posted by: Steve at July 10, 2008 1:28 PM
No, not next door, I mean there is a full bath and then a room next to the full bath with a sink and shower stall but no toilet. We want to make that room another full bath by adding the toilet. There is a toilet in a half bath directly below (1st floor, also our house) that we are demoing and were hoping to extend that pipe up to the 2nd floor). We have a licensed plumber coming out tomorrow to look at it, so he can maybe get a permit without going through an architect?
Posted by: WTbound at July 10, 2008 2:09 PM
Of course you need a permit. If you have a GC or plumber willing to install a new bathroom without a permit get them the hell out of your home. A new bathroom will require an architect to sign off on it. If it was just moving it, than your plumber could pull one. And I definitely second spending the $ for an expediter. They do more than just speed up the process.
Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at July 10, 2008 2:14 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.