Don't they need some kind of probable cause?

So let's say that such thing happens- someone calls up and says- "he is doing some work without a permit". Then what? They will send an inspector over here which will knock on my door and ask to be let in to inspect?
As far as I know- I am allowed to do some reno, without a permit. how can they prove that I am doing something which does require a permit? I am not doing any obvious things, such as a house extension.....

Posted by: Williams at February 8, 2010 5:43 PM in response to Not Filing=DOB Inspection?

Great info thank you all.
My plan is simple on paper-
my 3d floor will be connected to one meter- the current situation.
The 2nd floor will be connected to a 2nd meter- new situation.
The 1st floor (where I live) and the common areas will be connected to the third meter.
Coned said that the charge will be by a penny per kilo higher. It's not bad.

The city's electrical inspector will then inspect it and approve it. The question is if the inspector can request a building inspection also..?

Posted by: Williams at January 21, 2010 4:22 PM in response to Adding a 3rd Meter

I said dumpster but I meant dump. I wanted to haul the trash out and throw it in a dump/landfill. Are there any close ones? How much does it cost?

Posted by: Williams at January 5, 2010 4:20 PM in response to Permit Needed for Reno?

Thank you guys!

Posted by: Williams at September 9, 2009 8:50 AM in response to Extension Process

I think I made a big mistake with the numbers- I do apologize.
I am doing a very small extension which will only add a bedroom.. more like half a bedroom.
We are going to build 5 ft out and about 10ft wide.... I gave you guys the cubic sf.... sorry.

Is this price seems expensive now?

Posted by: Williams at September 4, 2009 8:32 PM in response to Expensive Estimate?

thank you for the remarks!!

BHO- this will be my only note for you because by responding to you I fuel your behavior-
for the sake of humanity, get lai*..... ASAP

Posted by: Williams at August 26, 2009 10:12 PM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

The house is a three family and is semi detached- there is a lot on it's side.

I understand that there are two types of french drains- outside and inside?

Which one did you have installed?

Posted by: Williams at August 17, 2009 12:18 PM in response to Waterproofing Cellar?

It's a frame and I will bring an engineer. Thank you guys for your input.

Posted by: Williams at August 9, 2009 7:31 PM in response to Uneven House

Thank you for the info. I have not thought about the piping thing and of course it should be addressed. I still didn't get the inspector in which will say how bad is the burner. basically I should hope that it is not in such a bad shape as I believe.

Btw- doe it include all the incentives? because from what I understand it should bring down the cost by 6-8k...

Posted by: Williams at August 4, 2009 4:29 PM in response to Ballpark Boiler Pricing?

Smokychimp

I do have zoning
I do have a seperate entrance and an exit to the back yard.

I think I pretty much have it.

Who should I bring that could have a look and be certain about it?

Posted by: Williams at June 25, 2009 2:41 PM in response to cellar to office-I have new info

Yes I am replacing all... I do not want to gut the house so I want to try and cause the least amount of damage. 3 full bahtroom + 3 kitchens.

I am hoping for no more than 50k.... is it realistic?

Posted by: Williams at June 21, 2009 3:55 PM in response to ball park on reno.

Sorry for the double post.

Posted by: Williams at June 19, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Is Lawyer Fee Reasonable?

I'M SO SORRY! I HAVE ALREADY ASKED THIS QUESTION AND GOT ANSWERED!

I WISH THERE WAS AN OPTION TO DELETE POSTS.

SORRY

Posted by: Williams at June 4, 2009 7:07 PM in response to who do I call for this work?

Great info goodoleboy!

I have received a quote from Bank of A. and they claim that in order to get FHA. I will HAVE to put 15% down.....
The rate they give is 5.5... and the estimated closing costs- 37k. does all this numbers seem right?

Posted by: Williams at May 30, 2009 1:39 PM in response to Is this mortgage possible?

I am an interior designer, who works with a registered architect. If you need any help in your new house, please view my web site. www.melaniemintsdesign.com.
I get great savings on furniture and materials. I have also designed several kitchen and bathroom working within a client's budget.

Posted by: MMintz at August 27, 2009 10:15 AM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

the why,

You're comparing a microbubble (NY Case-Shiller only dropped -15% though larger drops have been reported) to a massive, unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime, economy driving bubble (NY Case-Shiller ALREADY down -20% and showing no long term signs of recovery). The latter saved them from a little bit of pain and put a lot of paper equity on their books. But they WILL regret it (or ARE regretting it - when was the last time you spoke them?) if they don't (or didn't) cash out and realize the returns.

Your statement about those who waited for the bottom and regret not buying does not make sense to me. I know people who bought in the mid 90's and had a hard time making up their mind which property they wanted. The bottom lasted five years. That is a tremendous amount of time to find a house. I personally remember back in the late 90's, while searching for an apartment, realtors all over me trying to get me to buy but I wasn't sure if I wanted to remain in NYC and had an unfavorable debt/income ratio at the time anyway (pulse wasn't enough - we're now back to those lending standars!). RE changes very slowly. You are not going to go from fear (little or no competition) to greed (fierce competition) in the course of a few months or even years. And even so, how are you not going to regret buying near the peak of the largest housing/refi/credit bubble in modern history (or effectively doing so by having refi'd back up to 100% LTV or more) only to sell at an almost certain loss (real 2009 dollars or from whatever year you bought in)?

"The only reason not to buy in a falling market is if you don't think you'll be staying long enough for the market to pick back up. (Not that anyone knows when that will be!)"

True but long enough means that you will survive another 100 years or so from now and we all know that is literally impossible and, at that age, wouldn't matter anyway. Again, this is a once-in-a-lifetime boom/bust. You will not see 2006-2009 prices again, in your lifetime, in 2009 dollars. Inflation will make things return nominally but by then a loaf of bread will be $50. Sure, these are predictions and not facts but the likelihood is very strong. You have to understand the time value of money.

"There's a lot to be said for buying a home you love, regardless of the state of the market."

Listings and shadow inventory are full of owners who once said the same thing.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at August 27, 2009 12:30 PM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

"So what, then, is the point of you chiming in again here?"

As stated above, Rookie, my fascination with why people buy in this environment and a warning if they are misinformed.

Thanks, Williams. I will get laid as soon as the rag is off. It appears that you are confident about your proposed purchase so good luck.

Oh, look at MMintz at 10:15! An "ambulance chasing" architect (no pun, just making a point). Reno prices MUST be dropping!

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at August 27, 2009 12:38 PM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

Well, I've put some offers in on houses this week, but they are houses in Ditmas Park at a substantial discount from peak comps.

Not quite 1/2, but still pretty good.

Posted by: slick at August 27, 2009 1:47 PM in response to What to Have in the Contract?

now it seems ems pricey at $600/sf..albeit the foundation increases the sf cost..should be half that

Posted by: eman1234 at September 4, 2009 8:37 PM in response to Expensive Estimate?

The problem is the the estimate may say $30,000, and the final bill could say $60,000. There seems to be a large number of contractors in Brooklyn who bid really low to get the job, but have contract writing that allows them to add, and add, and add...until you finally get to the real price of the job, that an honest contractor gave to the client way back when. Work cost money, its that simple.

Posted by: Old City Construction at September 4, 2009 10:24 PM in response to Expensive Estimate?

When hiring an architect avoid Robert Scarano like the plague.

Posted by: FenFen at September 9, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Extension Process

look.. a 5x10 single story extension seems hardly worth the effort. an architect will want $5,000 just to draft drawings and file the project. you're already at $100/sf before anyone comes in and performs any work.... I wouldn't be surprised if it costs even more than $600/sf in the end.

Posted by: zberlin at September 13, 2009 1:23 PM in response to Expensive Estimate?

say, 4 lights, cfls, on 24h= 75kwh = $13! As a landlord myself, I can't believe this is worth it. Why even mention it to tenants? I don't.

Posted by: cmu at January 21, 2010 7:14 PM in response to Adding a 3rd Meter

The new wall needs a permit as it is at a new location so it is NOT considered minor or ordinary maintenance. All other stuff is ok without a work permit unless you touch any fire rated assemblies. Example: The wall between your apartment and the corridor or the ceiling or a wall between apartments.

Posted by: brooklynexpediter at January 22, 2010 12:14 PM in response to Permit Needed for Reno?