Apartment under construction: Contractor is asking to tap into our electric

Hi All, I’m the owner of a brownstone. Behind me a five-story apartment house is being built (not a renovation; full construction, started from digging & pouring foundation. At this stage walls & floors are up for all five stories). This week the contractor rang our bell. He asked if he could run electricity from our house to the construction site. We asked him why he doesn’t have electricity yet, and he replied “we cannot get it until we pass inspection.” He said his construction firm would give us a contract and pay 100% of our electrical bills for the time that he’s using our electricity (and to be clear: he’s asking to run an exterior-grade extension cord into our backyard and plug it into our outside GFCI). I’m inclined to say “no.” First of all, our electrical bill is not huge so there’s not much incentive there. I guess the only thing giving me pause is that if we say “no,” they’ll have to start up a generator back there which will be chugging along all the time (annoying). Anyone have advice? Does this sound on the up & up? (Is it true that he could not get any electricity until passing an inspection?) I wouldn’t mind helping this person out, but I don’t want to be taken for a ride and I don’t want to do anything that would endanger my own home. Like running a single extension cord from my backyard to give power to the construction in a five story building — even as I type that, it seems inadvisable. Any thoughts?

dnk

in About Brooklyn 9 years and 8 months ago

13

Please log in, in order to post replies!

13 replies

Newest Oldest

neweco | 9 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5096 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5084 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194012"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "neweco"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BOXqJKrhcBWWP.p/e2rDfFTG96pMh11"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "neweco"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "sean@newecolandscapes.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 12:56:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194012)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Fairly Common practice . Plus the fact that he offered to pay 100% of the bill on contract is good.

dnk | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5094 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "46107"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bc/fuQ6M6AurKgSr2TPjNRasEkYaWi1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "dkeegan@laskerfoundation.org"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/dnk/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:36:02"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(46107)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks everyone for input. I have decided not to allow electricity to be run from my house to this construction project. . I checked this particular address out on DOBBIS and found out that there is a stop work order on the project. Copying and pasting from the DOB site (which renders everything in all caps), it says the construction crew is doing the following to a smaller adjacent structure: “THEY ARE DROPPING CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL ONTO THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE AND IT HAS CAUSED THE ROOF TO PARTIALLY COLLAPSE”. In addition to that stop work order, there are 6 other open violations. . With that information, along with the advice I’ve gotten here, I am walking away from helping these folks.

germaineson73 | 9 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5091 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5097 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193698"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "germaineson73"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BV41dVQuvWtAjoIgqxgnfedvsRxC6L0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "germaineson73"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "germaineson73@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:59:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(25) "Lucian Queen Lucian Queen"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193698)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sounds fishy, I have actually called the power company and they set up a temp service on site. I was working in Jersey, but it seems that this is a common issue. I did not need any inspections. I just had to have a permit to do the work.

stonetopgranite | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5094 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5096 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193809"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "stonetopgranite"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bu.wTkrPtslJSIFwQwZ..wL2XcC/zY0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "stonetopgranite"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "stonetopgranitetyrone@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 12:24:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193809)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is not a big deal. If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to, but get ready for a generator. I borrow power from neighbors all the time because Con Edison is difficult to coordinate and it’s expensive. Neighbors tend to appreciate us paying their bill and we haven’t had any problems. If you decide to do it ask the contractor for their plan on keeping your doors and windows secure so you don’t have an open, exposed door or window all winter while an extension cord runs out the back of the house. If they can manage that I don’t see an issue. Good luck!

Cities | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5098 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "60165"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Cities"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Cities"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "lee.jaffe@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-07-15 19:37:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Cities"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(60165)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

ecalypso is right – GCs do this all the time. If you’re considering doing it, try to have an attorney look over the contract to make sure you’re protected.

CookieCutterBrownstone | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5091 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5099 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "15551"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(22) "CookieCutterBrownstone"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(22) "cookiecutterbrownstone"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "cannedand1@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:01:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(22) "CookieCutterBrownstone"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(15551)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I would let them run the line to your building. Like you have said, it’s either allowing them to do this and pay 100% your electrical bill or having a big-loud-noxious-fume-generator running all the time. Heck, I’d pay them not to run that generator next to me.

GreenThinker | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5094 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5100 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "98498"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BUyWaQ.9zd8QKKjw0tTw.V/FyEYyLC0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "greenthinker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "Moscicki.adam@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/greenman/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:19:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "GreenThinker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(98498)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Dealing with conedision for any request in new service takes months. From his standpoint, he can either ask a neighbor for some power or bring in loud generators until coned finally comes through.

ecalypso | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5101 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181587"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "ecalypso"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B9pVn9BRowglFEcq91oUMbSDZFKlJV."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "ecalypso"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "munsunpark@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:08:37"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "ecalypso"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181587)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It is actually not an uncommon or unusual request. Developers of smaller projects will often first ask adjoining property owners if they can access their electricity. Barring that, then they will set up a generator.

deva | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5091 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5102 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180184"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "deva"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BDKIZ65qyA6K5YgLhDC3Ics/jVFIKf."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "deva"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "esherifova@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:34"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "deva"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180184)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This is a timely discussion for me as well. My neighbor who plans to build a new building next door to me approached me with the same request. Now I know. Thank you!

dnk | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5094 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5103 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "46107"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bc/fuQ6M6AurKgSr2TPjNRasEkYaWi1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "dkeegan@laskerfoundation.org"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/dnk/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:36:02"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "dnk"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(46107)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Guys: love this! Thanks for the response and for the sanity check. I will take your advise and tell them to get lost.

Arkady | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5104 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Whack-o!!

slopefarm | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5103 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5091 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Wow, I thought i’d heard almost everything. Crazy.

Master Plvmber | 9 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5094 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5105 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Please do not give this fly-by-night operation access to your electrical service to build a ground-up, 5 story project. The whole rest of the city is doing construction legally with permitted temporary power. My goodness.