Renovation next door

Hello, I live in a brownstone and next door (another brownstone) is about to undergo major renovation, including some structural work. Their contractor just came over and asked if they could take pictures of our walls that join theirs- something about in case there is damage to our walls. Sounds nice if you put in that way, but it’s also making me a little leery. Any thoughts on this? Should I let them in? Any recommendations on how to be more pro-active about protecting our home/interests during their renovation? Many thanks for your consideration and knowledge.

Reno2011

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 8 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

allyslope | 11 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5148 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5103 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180670"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "allyslope"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B826vifReq8tbVdDzB.8aGWmeRrf0y."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "allyslope"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "ms.alison.le@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2013-10-18 00:25:09"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "allyslope"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180670)
  ["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)
}

I agree sounds like they are being responsible. They should purchase builders risk/insurance. You can ask them to show it to you before you let them in to take photos. You should take your own also of the joining wall, front and back of the home. In case they cause any demage at least you have your photo. To be honest I think they are doing for their protection. In case you make up some demages to get free work done.

metalwork | 11 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5147 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5146 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181255"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BgabNFc8N0ORoN8SLQLSrzA9B/OzED1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "sherwinmorgan@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2014-01-17 21:12:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181255)
  ["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)
}

anotherposter,jcarch recommendations covered it for sure. Good luck

anotherposter | 11 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5143 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5149 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "53767"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bq7XUGtTb.5jsWjD4iMAO7rQGswiJX0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "mail.anon.user@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/anotherposter/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(53767)
  ["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)
}

If they are doing structural work, they should have an engineer of their own who handles this stuff. A good architect/engineer will send a certified letter to adjoining homes alerting them to the upcoming structural work and to let you know that it is being done under their guidance. There should be permits on display at their home, so go check those out and read what they are for. If there are no permits, you might want to ask them about that and consider contacting the DOB to report work structural work without permits. Hopefully they have the permits because reporting a neighbor can get you into a bad relationship with the neighbor. I agree with others that it’s good that they care, but you should also take photos and maybe even video. You can go to the DOB website, plug in the address and keep an eye on permits and violations.

jcarch | 11 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5148 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5150 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "23991"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "jcarch"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BS0hz8fYZfWVNwJxAdb5D7GSB6JTfb."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "jcarch"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jpc@jcarchitecture.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/jcarch/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "jcarch"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(23991)
  ["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)
}

You should absolutely let them in. I would also ask for a meeting with both the owner and the contractor so that you can get an idea of what they’re planning, and so that you can establish who to communicate with if there’s a problem or if you have concerns. The fact that they’re reaching out to you is a good indicator that they’re being responsible, not trying to pull something over on you. @bobjbklyn…while there’s no harm in asking, I strongly doubt that anyone’s going to pay for the OP to hire an engineer to review their plans. To me that’s sort of like saying “I’m planning to hire a lawyer to look into suing you…would you pay their bill?” Bringing in an engineer is more typically done (at OP’s own cost), of someone’s planning to do work that will require shoring or underpinning your building…I’m assuming that the work here is more minor renovation type work. jcarch ———————— James Cleary Architecture brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jamescleary

shahnandersen

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#138896 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5160 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(1) "6"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "brownstoner@brownstoner.com.old"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "brownstoner.com/renovation1"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 20:12:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sounds like your neighbors are being responsible. Yes, let them in. Insist on getting a copy of all the pictures they take. And perhaps you should take them yourself. For your protection you might want to hire an engineer to represent your interests. Talk to your neighbors, maybe you can get them to pay for the engineer or at least part of his costs. I’m sure others will have additional suggestions.