Remove Wall - Put Back in 10 yrs
We want to remove an existing non-load bearing wall between a BR and a parlor/office room. Each room has a window and its own entrance door. We lose a BR but gain space to make a formal dining room. I think we need a permit to remove the wall. Our dilemma is that in 10…
We want to remove an existing non-load bearing wall between a BR and a parlor/office room. Each room has a window and its own entrance door. We lose a BR but gain space to make a formal dining room. I think we need a permit to remove the wall. Our dilemma is that in 10 years or so, we want to reinstall the wall so that we get that BR back (maybe a foot away from its original position so we gain space on the BR). Will that be a problem with the DOB to put back the wall, like CofO? I mean, it was there originally with the house (built 1925). We’re just “temporarily” removing it for a family member and then returning it to what it was, so maybe the DOB doesn’t need to know. What do you all think?
I’m not advising you what to do.
By law, you must file for a permit as you are modifying the light and air configurations of the legally defined habitable rooms.
Eventually, if you want to put back the walls at the same location, you may have a problem if it does not comply with the current code for light and air.
In my own house I would do just as Pete says (I would never advise a customer to do something like that though)
Now, a neghbor of mine had moved into a house that had changes made years before he acwuired it. For some reason, he let a DOB inspector into his house. While they did not have floor plans, the inspector looked at the changes and said “this is not how it was built; get an archetect to draw it the way it should be and put it back.” It was all minor stuff, but it ended up costing him a lot.
Also, DOB can have a file on a house if years ago a prior owner did a job that had been filed. So before you do what you are contemplating, I would see if you can get in to check the file (I am not sure they will let you do this anymore; 15 years ago you could – but there still has to be a way to see the contents).
Steve
I can’t even believe you would consider even contacting DOB or getting a permit for such work. Sounds like private house.
Do whatever you want. You think they have floorplans, etc?
Just go ahead and don’t worry about it.