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April 17, 2009
Do I Need a Work Permit?
I am having my kitchen gut renovated and a contractor came by today with an estimate for the job. He stated that I will need to obtain a work permit because it will take over 2 weeks to complete. Is that correct? The job involves demolition of the current kitchen in installation of new cabinets.
Comments
Technically, yes, but not because the work will take over 2 weeks to complete. Is there any plumbing being moved??
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 16, 2009 5:09 PM
time has nothing to do with whether you need a permit or not. If you're moving plumbing and electric, you do. If you're just hanging cabinets. you don't. If the contractor says you need a permit, most likely you do. Else get a contractor who could care less about these fine points.
Posted by: denton at April 16, 2009 5:09 PM
who will pay for the initial $500 fine that you will get if you do not file?
Posted by: eman1234 at April 16, 2009 5:14 PM
Are your neighbors going to rat you out because they see cabinets going in and out? If not, no permit needed. But if the contractor makes a mess out front and is a general asshole then they will rat you out. What neighborhood are you in? It makes a difference.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 16, 2009 5:26 PM
if you are replacing everything in the same location the answer is no.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 16, 2009 5:45 PM
No plumbing or electrical being moved.
Posted by: troll at April 16, 2009 6:39 PM
Ysabelle - I am replacing everything in the same location. However there will be lots of garbage to take out. The contractor said that he will have a van remove the stuff instead of getting a dumpster. I live in the Midwood section and as long as no work is done on a saturday, everyone is ok. The contractor ensured me that it will be as clean as possible and no sign of the work will be seen outside the house.
Posted by: troll at April 16, 2009 6:42 PM
troll, based on 6:39 and 6:42, you don't need a permit. imho.
Posted by: denton at April 16, 2009 6:55 PM
What Ysabelle said. You're not doing anything wrong by not having a permit. You don't have to hide. And while there are laws about weekend work (not just Saturdays), Midwood does not dictate NYC law.
Posted by: jfss at April 16, 2009 6:58 PM
Are you in a religious neighborhood where people observe shabbos? It is nice if you could respect the religious day but it is not illegal if you don't. Just try to be quiet about it.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 16, 2009 7:31 PM
OY.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 17, 2009 7:56 AM
Putting up cabinets doesn't require a a permit. It's considered cosmetic.
If you are not moving plumbing you DO NOT need a permit. However are you opening up the back wall and replacing the piping? even in the same location? While you don't need to hire an architect to file with the NYC DOB, a contractor can do this work with a 'repair slip' that they obtain from the DOB.
If you are removing walls and putting up new ones, you need a permit.
Get a contractor that knows this info.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at April 17, 2009 11:06 AM
Huh. I think I'm missing something...how does the removal of cabinets and counters create alot of garbage? I live in a neighborhood of single family homes and I've lost count of the number of kitchens I've seen thrown out over a few weeks via Sanitation...
Posted by: bugleg at April 17, 2009 11:47 AM
Better safe than sorry when it comes to the buildings department. If you want a water tight answer you should seek advice from a lawyer, not a blog. Your contractor is more likely to know the law about permits than most people here.
Posted by: bohuma at April 17, 2009 2:18 PM
"Do I Need a Work Permit?"
Not if you're nice to your neighbors.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at April 17, 2009 4:04 PM
Exactly, BHO. Not much in Bed Stuy gets done with permits as long as everyone's respectful.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 17, 2009 5:15 PM
I am new to this 'ratting out' business and need to understand it better. why one whould do it? if you fined - you will more likely sell house at lower price so his house will cost less as comp. on the other side, if you improve your house - his house will cost more as comp. And you improve neibourhood. Also if I will find out somebody rat me out - I will be really hostale to him.
as example everybody on my block has finished basement but nobody filed permit. Of course there cases, where constraction can affect next door neibour (house addition, fire hazards, excessive noise and dirt), but these are rare cases.
am I wrong?
Posted by: bobjohn at April 17, 2009 6:52 PM
if you need a permit for a simple replacement job I will eat my hat.
Posted by: Ysabelle at April 17, 2009 10:02 PM
if the cost is under $25,000 plumber can do an LAA and the hat will remain undigested
Posted by: jp2 at April 18, 2009 10:09 AM
I agree that there would be no need for a permit, having not seen the location.
Try calling CYRUS MILLWORK .. near you in Flatbush Schenectedy Avenue..
347-743-2435 He provides the best orientation vis a vis DOB, permits and cabinet installation
Posted by: myrnett at April 20, 2009 3:13 PM
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