Finding Old House Plans
I’m considering making some medium-sized renovations to my Brooklyn townhouse (opening up a galley kitchen, adding a bathroom), and I understand that the first step is that I need accurate plans/blueprints of my home. I have no idea if there have ever been any plans drawn up of my house, but there was an extension…
I’m considering making some medium-sized renovations to my Brooklyn townhouse (opening up a galley kitchen, adding a bathroom), and I understand that the first step is that I need accurate plans/blueprints of my home. I have no idea if there have ever been any plans drawn up of my house, but there was an extension added by a prior owner, so I guess their might be. Do you know: a) how to find out if there are plans on record anywhere with the city, b) if not, how much I should plan on spending to get some drawn up, and c) any recommendations for an architect who could/would do such work even if I might not actually do the renovation anytime soon?
Thanks,
CG
Department of Buildings should be the first stop. If they don’t have any plans, see Scott Schnall on Atlantic Avenue has more plans than anyone in Brooklyn. Chances are he has a copy of your building.
A beginning search for relevant documents (but not plans) could be done first at http://www.propertyshark.com, and then at the Department of Building’s Buildings Information System: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml
As for measured drawings, most architects I know are happy to look at previous efforts, but don’t trust them for new construction (you never know what assumptions went into the drawings!). My firm usually figures new drawings for brownstones require 3-10 hours per floor, depending on existing detail and scope of work.
The Continuing Education department of nearby NYC College of
| Technology is sponsoring a couple of programs that would be
| of particular interest to local residents in the
| neighborhood, and actually anyone who loves brownstone houses.
|
| The first is an afternoon seminar course titled Anatomy of a
| Brownstone, with featured speakers to include faculty from
| NYCCT’s Architectural Technology department, and local
| residential security and entertainment technology
| installers. The program closes with a lecture and town hall
| style session with building inspector and WNYC Radio
| Personality Lawrence Ubell. Get a historical perspective
| and technical grounding on brownstones, then ask ‘Mr. Fixit’
| of the Leonard Lopate show about your specific issues!
|
| This is a first in what the college hopes will be a series
| of programs devoted to the art and science of living in
| brownstone houses, and targeted to the needs of local
| residents. See the brochure copy below, and a flyer is
| attached in PDF form.
|
| The second is a 4 session class titled The Art of Home
| Decor, and taught by Boerum Hill resident Debra Saloman.
| See the brochure copy below. It will be a nice followup to
| the Anatomy of a Brownstone seminar. Learn why your house
| is structured the way it is, how technology has made it’s
| impact on the house, and finally Debra can teach you how to
| organize and decorate it!
|
| For more information or to register email
| pokeefe@… or call 718-552-1170.
|
|
| Anatomy of a Brownstone HHT 101
| Sat, 1 – 5 pm, June 4th
| Vorhees Auditorium 186 Jay Street
| 4 hours, $35 / person
| Members of the NYC College of Technology Architecture
| department, local artisans and construction experts will
| share their expertise during an afternoon of lectures and
| discussion devoted to the art and science of restoring,
| renovating, and living in Brooklyn Brownstone style
| townhouses. This program will blend scholarly and consumer
| oriented information to those who live in or simply love brownstones.
| Program topics include: How a brownstone is constructed,and
| why it was built that way; A historical survey of
| technological advances – indoor plumbing, central heating,
| gas, electricity, telecommunications and digital technology.
| How 19th century residents lived, and the impact on space
| design. Question and Answer sessions with an expert about
| structural and craftsmanship renovation issues. A virtual
| walking tour of Downtown Brooklyn buildings. Call
| 718-552-1170 to register by phone.
|
| Art of Home Décor HHT 070
| Tues, 6 pm – 8:30 pm, 6/7 – 6/28 10 hours, $120
| In this course, you will learn that good planning leads to
| good decorating. Create a unique space to reflect your own
| personality through color, space layout, lighting, fabric &
| window treatments, and furnishings. You will also gain a
| professional perspective on working with contractors, using
| floor plans and staying within a realistic budget. Call
| 718-552-1170 to register.
Expediters charge a fortune. You can go down to the dept. of buildings with your block & lot number and look at your file. If the plans are in good shape (not 100 years old and torn), they will copy them for you for a fee. It’s nice to see what’s in your file while you are down there.
The easiest way (though not the cheapest) is to have an expediter dig up the plans for you.