Possible gut reno next door

I just found out that the property next to mine sold and needs serious cosmetic work on the two upper floors. It’s a 3 story row house and I didn’t even know it was listed as there wasn’t a sign out and I never saw anyone coming to view it. What should I expect during this reno and more importantly how can I prepare myself? I’m expecting the worst- roach infestations, crazy noise, etc but I am excited about having new neighbors as the current ones, while very quiet, did not maintain their property and their backyard, visible from my second floor, was a mess (buckets of stagnant water in the summer, rusty items piled up in various corners). Apart from speaking to the new neighbors about their reno plans, getting contact numbers in case anything goes what else should I request from them and more important how can I prepare myself and my home?

melissabraun

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 4 months ago

2

Please log in, in order to post replies!

2 replies

Newest Oldest

catboot | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5142 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5121 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56593"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "catboot"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BpNT9tJr3JaPXhWfSFer5U2OsVO9Md1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "catboot"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "fejamieson@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(49) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/catboot/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:14"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "catboot"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56593)
  ["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)
}

We live next-door to an non-permitted gut/flip. It will affect your property, no matter what, so do as Arkady suggested: take dated photos of the walls/ceilings. Ask to be named as an additional insured on their insurance, and keep a copy of the certificate. Also get contact numbers of owner and contractor, so that you can call in case of emergency. In our case, a flooded cellar (3x so far). There will be lots of dust and noise, so you may spend the summer with the windows shut. If the owner is the end user, the process may be easier, since they may be more mindful of neighbors. If it’s a flipper, they pretty much don’t care. They will do whatever they will do and that’s that. Good luck!

Arkady | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5141 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5140 (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)
}

This topic has been covered several times on here – you might check the archives for greater detail. At a minimum, take dated pictures of walls adjacent to the project before work begins, ask that you be a ‘named insured’, ask for updates about ongoing work.