Need referral to good carpenter/engineer for replacing a previously removed staircase.

Hi all,  I recently purchased a 2 family brownstone that is configured as a 3 family home. We are now using it as a 2 family home, and as such would like to replace the interior staircase that originally led from the garden to the parlor floor. We can see where it was- there’s essentially a drywalled shaft. Right now the fridge is in a “nook” where the staircase used to empty out.  Structurally there are no load bearing walls etc to worry about as there originally was a staircase in place. Until we can afford the staircase of our dreams we were planning to go for a simple spiral staircase. Because it’s simultaneously slightly more complicated than replacing an existing staircase and less complicated than adding an entirely new staircase I really don’t know who to contact… Any reccs? I would very much appreciate them. Thanks!

lorien

in Construction 12 years and 5 months ago

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brucef | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Yup

lorien | 12 years and 5 months ago

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and to clarify: the CO is 2 family 🙂

lorien | 12 years and 5 months ago

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thanks for your answer. i also hadn’t planned on doing this “legally”- as inviting the DOB into my business seems like a really bad idea for a number of reasons.  basically it sounds like your advice is i should hire a carpenter to build some stairs that look as close to “original” as possible, avoiding engineers and/or architects who aren’t personal friends?

brucef | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but here is the skinny. In all probability, the previously existing stairway, while fine to walk up and down, does not meet modern code in terms of tread depth and rise. Therefore, getting approval to replace what was obviously a pre-existing condition that was up till the point of removal – “grand-fathered”, is impossible. To make the DOB situation even more unfortunate, in most probabilities, your architect would require that the opening be framed in steel, making your existing joists un-approveable. Often the architect forces you to hire a structural engineer, who will charge extra to give you the same bad news. I started this answer based on the abbreviated posting visible before the jump, but notice the ambiguity regarding the two versus 3-family status. Three family puts you under the multi-family code, which is more restrictive. Spiral staircases are neither simple nor convenient. Unless other work you are anticipate requires a filing, I would rebuild the stair where it was under the radar. I’ve gone to the extent of locating salvaged items that give, to the cursory glance, the impression that it was always there. Maybe re-cycled balusters and railing?