Looking For Consulting Architect or Engineer

Sounds like my house. I don’t think that “listed as a basement (not a cellar) in tax record Database” is relevant to possibly making the basement habitable but maybe other experts could say here.
If you are changing the setup from 2 units on the upper floors over an unfinished basement to an upper duplex over a finished basement unit, that’s a change of occupancy, likely to trigger sprinkler req.

chemosphere

in General Discussion 2 years and 10 months ago

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jrs84o | 2 years and 10 months ago

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I’ve owned a 2 Floor plus Basement, Brooklyn Limestone for about 12 years, making many incremental alterations along the way— essentially turning a two-family property into a single family.

I’m not certain all the advice my contractors gave me while installing mechanicals and altering the space has been er, um…. let’s just say “Kosher”— But the changes fit my needs at the time.

I’m looking for a reasonable fee Architect or Engineer who has experience with DOB filings to answer questions on existing and future improvements…. The last guy I hired charged $800 for a site visit (which did not include a written report) and $300/hour— just to answer some questions over the phone— no plans no filings.

With hindsight these fees seemed a bit excessive for a simple conversation.

Yes I understand that ANYTHING involving the DOB is not SIMPLE and requires speculation.

I’m just looking for SEVERAL opinions BEFORE I move forward with returning my single family to a tw o family and I’m obviously willing to pay for authoritative consulting time before I hire an architect or engineer.

Any suggestions?

Thnx.

shahnandersen

in General Discussion 2 years and 10 months ago

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Does the house have a CofO? What does it say. If not, how does DOB classify the building? Does it have a iCard?

jrs84o | 2 years and 10 months ago

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Property built circa 1910 is about all I can find in the official docs. It is listed as a two family for tax purposes, on a block of two family’s where 60% have renovated and rent out there basements.

Basement is 7’+ in height, listed as a basement (not a cellar) in tax record Database. Two egresses and three standard size windows at front and two at back.

No CofO no ICard.

(I went downtown and requested the icard personally some-time-back, there was none.)

jrs84o | 2 years and 10 months ago

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Any recommendations for a knowledgeable guy/gal who is available to answer questions for a fee? I just don’t feel comfortable calling people out of the blue and picking their brains as an “initial” consulting “hour” in lieu of future work.

lkrshacmzcy | 2 years and 10 months ago

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Just know that not everyone is willing to sit on the phone and answer an hour of worth of questions without being paid, but you can try these below. Our clients always use one of the two:
1) Gamill Engineering (718) 522-5232
2) Lewsan Consultants Co (718) 848-1500

jrs84o | 2 years and 10 months ago

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THANKS…

Exactly what Im looking for. I actually WANT to pay someone for the advice but I just can’t find a pro who consults… My limited experience is that the pros don’t want to get involved or simply give advice unless THEY are running the project.

I’m just looking for a guy (or several— opinions count) I can run ideas by BEFORE I commit to anything.

lkrshacmzcy | 2 years and 10 months ago

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If that is the case, they are great. Bruce and Jack are Downtown Brooklyn stables for proper Engineering and Lewsan is a consulting firm with on staff Engineer that is great for those who need a bit more assistance if you catch my throw!

jrs84o | 2 years and 10 months ago

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I was using Schnall….. before he blew up 5 or 6 years ago.

irfan | 2 years and 10 months ago

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Can try Dick Boschen in FiDi. Super nice guy and knows the Brooklyn DOB and codes very well. He does a lot of brownstone work including our single family no CO to 2 family conversion. Went extremely smooth and he knew all the pain points before we submitted to DOB and landmarks.