Off our rockers not to file?

We’re about to do some remodeling. Most of it falls well within the boundaries of what is permitted without filing. (A bathroom upgrade with all fixtures in place, restoring a staircase, dividing a closet…) But…we’re also removing a kitchen and installing a bathroom in its place. An architect (very experienced in Bklyn) considers this borderline and has advised that we do it without filing to save money/time/hassle.   We would love to take this advice, but not regardless of the risks. Would we be off our rockers to go along with this?

Amym718

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years and 10 months ago

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pigthree | 12 years and 10 months ago

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What specifically in on file at the DOB for your address? Is there any proof of the existing layout?  Is there a C of O?    Depending on what’s there, you could do the work.  If something happens, you could file as alt2 with all your changes as “existing” Despite what you hear on this forum, this is done by many reputable architects in Bklyn and NYC. Just keep it to code or better

greenmountain | 12 years and 10 months ago

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You have a two or three family house, right?  You want to live on two or more floors and are doing away with a kitchen as part of a bathroom reno for your master bedroom, right?  This will not effect your c of o, because you probably don’t have one.  Your house is probably too old for that (frequent forum topic).  But, if you ever get a c of o, you will not be given one for that apartment without the kitchen.  This will effect your taxes and resale value.  Complaints from neighbors about this are not so likely, unless you or your contractor does something to annoy them.  If you were to get inspected, you may have violations, but in an old house, how would they know you had a kitchen in that location?  You could run (or prepare to run, new pipes and circuits to a new location, or just build your bathroom.

agdipierro

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years and 10 months ago

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Contact Ed Kopel Architects, PC

eman134 | 12 years and 10 months ago

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mininmum fine for work without a permit is now $1500

Amym718 | 12 years and 10 months ago

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Thanks. This is someone we’ve only consulted with. But your point is well taken.

expert_textpert | 12 years and 10 months ago

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“An architect (very experienced in Bklyn) considers this borderline and has advised that we do it without filing to save money/time/hassle.” Your “very experienced” architect isn’t very experienced for suggesting that you don’t file. IF you get busted, what is your “very experienced” architect going advice you do about the stop work order and the fines you’ll have to pay and the time to cure that headache?

youcannotbeserious | 12 years and 10 months ago

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I would not only file I would seriously consider changing architects.

slvillager | 12 years and 10 months ago

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if you plan to refi, and it at all affects the c of o, you should file.

pigthree | 12 years and 10 months ago

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live a little

rodriguezstudio | 12 years and 10 months ago

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All it takes is 1 neighbor to call 311\. You may be actually doing work that does not require a permit even, but an inspector will be at your door within 3 days and you could get a violation and civil penalties. To me, it is on the other side of the borderline- reconfiguring your kitchen in the same space would be borderline. Regardless of whether you get caught or not this type of work is supposed to be filed.  It should be a simple filing…