You don't need a permit to paint your house. Redoing your concrete, not sure about that, ask an architect.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at May 7, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Landscaping in a landmark distrcit

You need a DOB work permit to do this. I know it's only a couple of walls, but you still need one.

If you get a violation for doing work without a permit. In your case it would be 14X what the filing fee would be, with a minumum of $5,000.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/civil_penalties_wwop_factsheet.pdf

In your case your filing fee (the fee you pay DOB - not the architect/expediter) would probably be a couple of hundred dollars.

Is it worth it?? NO...Hire yourself an architect/expediter...It'll cost you a couple of thousand dollars, and a couple of weeks time.

The DOB doesn't take long to review plans (7-10 days). Otherwise, Have the architect you hire do a Professional Certification. You'll get approved in one day.

If your house is in a Landmark District, that's another story.

You don't need a contractor to pull the permit. As a Homeowner, you can do work yourself. You will just need to file a Home Improvement Affidavit.

http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/hic1.pdf

Good Luck!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at May 16, 2008 9:29 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

When renovating a bathroom, make sure your contractor uses Denshield or Durock Board (I prefer Denshield)

http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pid=4684

If installed properly you will not have issues with leakage.

Also, at the window, use a stone or tile sill that is angled towards the interior of room with a drip edge, so water doesn't sit for a long period of time.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at May 16, 2008 11:47 AM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

So many on this forum bash developers for breaking the rules or pushing the limits, and now the rules are being negotiated by a homeowner, something that often takes place. You can't have it both ways.

When you operate without a permit you have to operate in the dark, fearful of a call to 311. If you have the stomach for that go for it, just be prepared to deal with any fallout.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 12:13 PM in response to do we need a building permit?

I think you can do it. Ditto on the sill drip edge. Just make sure the shower water doesn't go right at the window. If it's a wood window paint or seal it with products made for outdoor application.

All tiling and wallboard should be appropriate for the wet application.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 12:16 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Yes, we were going to do a tile or stone sill. Whats a drip edge? Is it like a mimi gutter?
Thanks for all these comments

Posted by: brooksieboy at May 16, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Yes, we were going to do a tile or stone sill. Whats a drip edge? Is it like a mimi gutter?
Thanks for all these comments

Posted by: brooksieboy at May 16, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Yes, we were going to do a tile or stone sill. Whats a drip edge? Is it like a mimi gutter?
Thanks for all these comments

Posted by: brooksieboy at May 16, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Yes, we were going to do a tile or stone sill. Whats a drip edge? Is it like a mimi gutter?
Thanks for all these comments

Posted by: brooksieboy at May 16, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Rather than glass block (which I don't like unless gaining bunker-like security is your goal, like for a basement window), you can keep the window, and use a clear shower curtain over it as a window curtain. That way, you preserve your access to air, light, and an openable window, while protecting your walls when necessary. I much prefer bathrooms with openable windows (and those little vents you sometimes find installed in glass blocked windows don't count.)

If the window is high, or at the far end of the tub from the showerhead, you won't likely have leaks anyway. It is fairly easy to tell where the shower water will go.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 12:33 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Laticrete the hell out of the wall...all around the sill. use a single piece of marble sill all around the window opening. Slope the marble sill out so it drains into the shower.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

I am going to respectfully disagree with 12:33 just to show another perspective - I like glass blocks in a shower. Both how it looks and how practical it is. Design your tiles and fixtures to not look like a bunker and it won't.

I like windows that open too, but if the window is large and goes low enough for the water to hit it I myself would not do anything but either glass blocks or filling in the wall to make the window smaller and located more high on the wall. Or, what about making the bottom half glass blocks and the top half a small window with partitions that can slide open?

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 1:10 PM in response to Shower/tub against window - leaks?

Both myself and my neighbors made big changes without permits. Our plans of the house were vague enough (bathroom not mapped out at all) that we and the GC figured come sale time (no time soon) we would be fine. When we got a dumpster it was there for a morning and then picked up quickly. This was in Red Hook. Neighbors selling their house now for a TON of money, so assuming no problems with the work in their case.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 1:36 PM in response to do we need a building permit?