The work permit is strictly for the contractor even though that a homeowner may in some instances get a waiver of insurance from the boro commissioner. But then is something happens you get sued and homeowner’s general liability insurance will not cover construction so you might have a little problem ou there.
Getting licensed in New York City is not easy. The DOB due diligence is intensive. But for those of us who are, we have a registration number with the DOB, and our insurance documents are kept on file. Without them, we can not get a permit.
(The reality is, you do end up paying the insurance premiums. That is business overhead, and the cost gets passed along.)
First you need an architect/expediter to file plans and get them approved. Once approved, your contractor(s) file for work permits. I see people confusing the approval process with work permits frequently. They are very technically different.
Brownstoners also reach out to me frequently for architect referrals, so if you would like some contacts, email me at masterbuildernyc@gmail.com
The permits should be issued in the contractor’s name.
To clarify what was posted above, a contractor must be licensed by both Consumer Affairs (easy to do) and must be registered with the Department of Buildings. To get registered with the DOB a contractor must have liability, workman’s comp and disability ins. Many so called “licensed and insured” contractors do not carry the full range of insurance required to be registered with the DOB….they carry only liability (cheap to get) but do not carry the expensive comp policies.
If your contractor can’t produce a certificate (showing liability, comp and disability) naming you the homeowner as additional insured prior to signing a contract you should run the other way.
When it comes to pulling the actual permits and paying for the expediting of such that can fall either on the homeowner or the contractor. It all depends on what you negotiated as part of the job. Most better contractors will have good working relationships with expeditors and can handle that for you. They of course will charge you for that service but it is one less thing you would have to worry about.
You would think they would weed themselves out if they are not licensed and insured but I have had more than one (recommended contractor with good references) show up for a contract signing (with a substantial down payment due) and be unable to produce proof of either – and with lots of excuses. Next.
FYI you can check on the insurance of any contractor. Ask for the name and contact info of their insurance agent and then call and verify that they are covered, the amount of coverage, and if there are any active claims that would impact the amount of available coverage. There’s a document that I’m forgetting the name of that the insurance company can generate for the contractor to give to you as proof of coverage. If you make it clear you’re going to ask for proof, it seems that contractors would weed themselves out of the bid process if they cant actually provide proof of insurance.
Yes, the contractor needs to be licensed in NYC to work here. That is not all that hard to do, but they need to fill out the paperwork, take a hokey test and have the proper insurance. I see this problem all the time, (when they don’t use who we recomend) the client wants to use so and so, and says yes they are licensed. Push comes to shove and alot of the time they are not.
The contractor gets the work permit. One of the greatest lies is “licensed and insured”. Insurance is expensive and many small contractors do not have it. Without insurance you cannot get permits.
The work permit is strictly for the contractor even though that a homeowner may in some instances get a waiver of insurance from the boro commissioner. But then is something happens you get sued and homeowner’s general liability insurance will not cover construction so you might have a little problem ou there.
Getting licensed in New York City is not easy. The DOB due diligence is intensive. But for those of us who are, we have a registration number with the DOB, and our insurance documents are kept on file. Without them, we can not get a permit.
(The reality is, you do end up paying the insurance premiums. That is business overhead, and the cost gets passed along.)
First you need an architect/expediter to file plans and get them approved. Once approved, your contractor(s) file for work permits. I see people confusing the approval process with work permits frequently. They are very technically different.
Brownstoners also reach out to me frequently for architect referrals, so if you would like some contacts, email me at masterbuildernyc@gmail.com
The permits should be issued in the contractor’s name.
To clarify what was posted above, a contractor must be licensed by both Consumer Affairs (easy to do) and must be registered with the Department of Buildings. To get registered with the DOB a contractor must have liability, workman’s comp and disability ins. Many so called “licensed and insured” contractors do not carry the full range of insurance required to be registered with the DOB….they carry only liability (cheap to get) but do not carry the expensive comp policies.
If your contractor can’t produce a certificate (showing liability, comp and disability) naming you the homeowner as additional insured prior to signing a contract you should run the other way.
When it comes to pulling the actual permits and paying for the expediting of such that can fall either on the homeowner or the contractor. It all depends on what you negotiated as part of the job. Most better contractors will have good working relationships with expeditors and can handle that for you. They of course will charge you for that service but it is one less thing you would have to worry about.
excuses like “just give me the down payment and I’ll pay my insurance premium”? i could see that one
You would think they would weed themselves out if they are not licensed and insured but I have had more than one (recommended contractor with good references) show up for a contract signing (with a substantial down payment due) and be unable to produce proof of either – and with lots of excuses. Next.
FYI you can check on the insurance of any contractor. Ask for the name and contact info of their insurance agent and then call and verify that they are covered, the amount of coverage, and if there are any active claims that would impact the amount of available coverage. There’s a document that I’m forgetting the name of that the insurance company can generate for the contractor to give to you as proof of coverage. If you make it clear you’re going to ask for proof, it seems that contractors would weed themselves out of the bid process if they cant actually provide proof of insurance.
Yes, the contractor needs to be licensed in NYC to work here. That is not all that hard to do, but they need to fill out the paperwork, take a hokey test and have the proper insurance. I see this problem all the time, (when they don’t use who we recomend) the client wants to use so and so, and says yes they are licensed. Push comes to shove and alot of the time they are not.
I see, so many contractors will claim “licensed and insured” until you request a work permit from them?
I’m looking into doing some major renovations in a row-house. Since the house is attached, I don’t think working without permits will be an option
The contractor gets the work permit. One of the greatest lies is “licensed and insured”. Insurance is expensive and many small contractors do not have it. Without insurance you cannot get permits.