Expidator Question
Yes, re-filing from scratch would take that extra time, but superseding is generally a couple of weeks, and reinstating may also be a couple of weeks. It sounds like a lot of work was done, so I assume a permit was pulled. In that case it will be nearly impossible to withdraw the application because work was done and that work needs to be signed off in some way.
dazednconfused2
in Building Code 11 years and 3 months ago
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5 replies
stuyheights | 11 years and 3 months ago
Expidator Question If a home I am interested in purchasing had plans approved in 2006, expired in 2007, and the job was never completed, what happens? ALTERATION TYPE 2 – GEN CONST was filed. After the filing, the job turned pretty much into a gut. I am hearing different things from different people, so I wanted to post this question here on the forum to get some clarity on it. NO CHANGE TO USE EGRESS NOR-OCCUPANCY. Use: RES – RESID. BLDG – OLD CODE Landmark: NO Stories: 0 Review is requested under Building Code: Prior-to-1968 It is to my understanding (and I hope I am saying this correctly) That the building was self certified by the previous architect in 2005/2006 I have been told that once it has been started and filed with self certification, it must close self certification. Therefore if I were to hire a new architect, he would basically be “taking over” if you will… Do I have this correct? I have also been told that “ I have never heard of a new architect taking over an old architect’s self-cert. My understanding is the expeditor would just close out any loose ends on the previous filing and we would start a new. Can someone clarify this for me please? And most importantly, the plans were approved back then with no sprinklers needed, with the fire escape remaining. I am hoping to change the 2005/06 plans a bit, re-file, and still not need sprinklers. Your help is appreciated.
hawaiismurf | 11 years and 3 months ago
Architects generally don’t like to do self-certification unless the job is very straightforward and there are little to no points of potential code interpretation/controversy. Self-cert is risky for a gut because you could go far down the path of construction, then get audited, and have to tear up and re-do stuff. Expensive. Ideally, if you could, keep the prior filing alive, change the architect, move from self-cert to non-self-cert, and file an amendment with your desired plans. If the change to non-self-cert is not feasible, you may just have to have an expediter close out the previous job and start anew with the architect of your choice. If its >1 family, the DOB is likely to find a way to force you to put in sprinklers, regardless.
jockdeboeraia | 11 years and 3 months ago
Either hire the old architect to finish the job or get someone new to take it over. I agree self cert is not a good idea for a gut.
dazednconfused2 | 11 years and 3 months ago
There are two types of self certification at the DOB. The first is Professional Certification (prof cert) in which the architect waives the plan exam when the job is initially filed. The second is the Directive 14 (D14) in which the architect waives the construction inspection at the end of the job. An architect can choose either or both. Obviously, choosing both methods means absolutely no oversight by the DOB. This has been abused by certain architects, so now every job filed with both options is audited by the special audit unit in queens, the DOB equivalent of a colonoscopy. A percentage of jobs filed with either a prof cert or a D14 is audited as well, so these options are used sparingly. These choices are made upon initial filing, and once a job is filed this way, it cannot be changed, so forget about altering the way it was filed. If the job was approved, but no permits were issued and no work was done, it may be able to be withdrawn. If permits were issued and work performed, the work needs to be completed or undone before the job can be closed out. In this case, it may be cheaper to hire the architect of record. Another architect can take over the job whichever way it was filed (orof cert and/or D14). We’ve done a few with mixed results. most of the time it’s easy. It depends greatly upon how much and what type of work was done. In a case like yours, the job has been dead for so long that the DOB will charge you the initial filing fee, so there’s little advantage in sticking with the open application if you don’t have to. I could see the use of keeping the initial filing if it meant avoiding sprinklers. But as an Alt II, you probably don’t need to add sprinklers anyway. Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP Urban Pioneering Architecture
stuyheights | 11 years and 3 months ago
Hey Jim, Thanks again for the thorough reply. My concern with re-filing with a new architect is that the DOB approval is at least 2 months. So in my case that is 2 months worth of mortgage payments and no work being done. Correct? I hear if we “re-open” the old plans from 2005 it would take all of 7-10 days to be reinstated. Sound about right? The time alone here saves me a ton of money alone. The old architect is saying we can even revise the plans and reinstate.