TR-8 Energy Inspections.
We are in the final stretch to prepare all documents to get permits for our Alt-1 townhouse renovation. Plans were approved in Feb 2011. Now our architect wants 4.5k extra for TR-8 sign-off during constructions. How do other architects handle this? Do you do the sign-off yourself or use 3rd party services? How much do…
We are in the final stretch to prepare all documents to get permits for our Alt-1 townhouse renovation. Plans were approved in Feb 2011.
Now our architect wants 4.5k extra for TR-8 sign-off during constructions. How do other architects handle this? Do you do the sign-off yourself or use 3rd party services? How much do you charge for this.
Initial filing 10/18/2010, approved 02/08/2011 – the joke is on us….
I guess the joke is on us as the we got approved on 8th of Feb….
Initial filing 10/18/2010.
oh -yes – forgot to mention that you also need to check your initial filing date
See the link to the DOB chart regarding TR8’s
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/energy_code_requirements.pdf
What date was plan approval? Let’s hope 2/6/11.
I also think there is a larger point for homeowners and developers here:
Now that the TR8s are required, your architect/engineer is going to charge you for them. If you’re paying for the inspection, make sure its performed properly!
As an example: Better windows and better air sealing will save you significant amounts of money in heating/cooling bills (not to mention increasing comfort and reducing potential for mold). Talk to your architect about the inspections they will perform, the documentation process (photos are a must!) and how the energy compliance will add value to your construction project.
If done correctly, the long term energy savings (not to mention comfort improvement etc) will far outweigh the upfront cost of the inspections.
The industry standard for TR-8 inspections is still in flux – architects and engineers are still figuring out how to balance the liability incurred vs. the cost to perform the inspection.
You can always ask your arch to farm out the inspections – the design architect never needs to be the special inspections applicant.
That said, I do tend to agree with architect66 – the TR8 does constitute a significant amount of liability for architects.
the NYC DOB is the mayor’s way of telling you to move to NJ.
It’s not when you filed, it’s when you were approved. If you were approved before the date that the TR-8’s went into effect, you don’t need to use them.
I agree that $4.5K seems very high unless there’s very technical inspections on the list.
We had a major project that was verbally approved by the plan examiner, who then noticed that we had a few minutes left in our appointment, so she decided to look through the drawings some more. She then decided that we had to add some trivial notes to a couple of pages. It took 5 minutes to make the changes, but a week to get back in front of her to officially get approval. In that week, the TR-8’s went into effect, and now we have to do a ton of extra work.
I love the DOB.
In total 13 – some are as trivial as checking the dimension of windows and to make sure each unit (we will have a garden rental) has individual meters.
IA7 is selected, but I have doubt RA has the necessary equipment anyway….
BTW: We filed plans in autumn 2010. Should energy code compliance testing really apply to us in the first place?