Permits and Estimates
I have three questions regarding getting exterior work done to a brownstone that isn’t in a landmark zone. 1. What permits and license’s should I ask for and what’s the proper way to ask/see if they have these permits/license’s? 2. When getting multiple estimates, what is the best way to go about not accepting the…
I have three questions regarding getting exterior work done to a brownstone that isn’t in a landmark zone.
1. What permits and license’s should I ask for and what’s the proper way to ask/see if they have these permits/license’s?
2. When getting multiple estimates, what is the best way to go about not accepting the the one’s you don’t want?
3. What is the best way to try to lower a price on an estimate that you think is to high?
Thanks in advance for your help.
some work may not require filing and permits. Giving us some more details on your scope of work will allow us to better help you on this forum.
When dealing with contractors and people in general, it’s really difficult to find the right person for the task at hand. The more experience you get, the better you become in separating the showmen/liars from the more qualified. Even for me it’s impossible to achieve 100% workmanship. Although I attempt it every time 🙂
So to answer question 2, the best way to not accept the one’s you don’t want is to do no action. If they call you just pleasantly tell them the project was awarded to another party. If they ask why be honest and tell them. I love honesty, from as simple as “well you were too expensive” to “I didn’t like the color of your shoes” I love the truth. Don’t be afraid to share it. Feedback will make us all better. 🙂
Question 3, when presenting your counter-offer to a contractor, make sure you’ve done your homework. More often than not the reason the prices are different is due to dissimilar scope of work. I know it’s just a brick wall you’re cutting and repointing but maybe the second party is cutting the joint deeper and maybe he’s spending time to give you a beautiful joint. Maybe he’s even power washing your wall afterwards. You never want garbage people doing work for you. In the end the product looks like dung and you will be miserable every time you walk past it.
My master technicians make very good money cause i demand quality from them. It gives me peace of mind, my clients are happy and in the end it promotes my business 🙂
DIBS,permits are required for all hanging scaffolds and fixed scaffolding only if it is over 40 feet.
Pete…I think they need the permit for the scaffolding, whether it is erected on the ground or hangs from the roof.
My guy did mine without permits but only used the scaffolding on Saturday, beyond the prying eyes of the DOB. Then he puts his sign up advertising the work for awhile after the job is done.
2. When getting multiple estimates, what is the best way to go about not accepting the the one’s you don’t want?
Don’t return their calls (just like the several others did when you tried to get estimates from them).
1) I don’t believe you need any permits, nor license for that matter if you are talking about repointing, or coating on brownstoner, etc. But should be insured. I certainly have never gotten one nor heard of anyone else getting one.
2. Call them and thank them for their time.
3. Call them and say “I really appreciated your time and I felt comfortable with you, but quite frankly your bid was quite a bit higher than others I received, which were X and y less than your bid. Can you match those bids? “