Steel Deck Architect

Hi All,

Im just in contract on a two family house in Mott Haven and have an illegal deck situation to deal with.

In short, a permit was pulled with plans in 2004 of a backyard deck, but a different (illegal) deck was built and the permit was never closed. Because the seller won’t remedy it, I’m in the lucky position of closing out the permit, removing the deck, and building a new deck/staircase to the backyard.

I need to find an architect and contractor and wondering if anyone has any reccos. While I imagine the plans for a simple steel staircase should be straightforward enough, dealing with the city and permitting is probably the tricky part.

Any advice?

Thanks!!

npwebster

in General Discussion 4 years and 7 months ago

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npwebster | 4 years and 7 months ago

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Great info all around. Thanks all.

My attorney made a stink and i’m hearing banks will not close with an open permit as there will be issues with title insurance etc. I’m getting a renovation loan so I can close with it open and remedy afterwards. Need to get bids/costs in order to close.

Unfortunately I’m in a situation where the seller has the upperhand. They won’t do anything more and I want the house. It’s either walk away or move forward and take the cost and expense on. It came up right as we were signing the contract.

Any advice on order of operations. I’m having a tough time figuring out if I start with an architect, contractor, or expeditor first. I’m finding it hard to get people interested in a small project like this.

yudashasom | 4 years and 7 months ago

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A few things to consider…

If you have a lender, do they care about the open permit? Or is your attorney the one making a stink?

Does your contract have language about the property being delivered with a valid CO, no open permits/violations? If so, is there a monetary amount in the contract to cure? Most contracts do have this language so a seller can’t say “I’m not dealing with it.”

I would probably try to take a credit/reduction since it sounds like you want to remove the deck anyway, file for a withdrawal and then do whatever you want.

patrickburnsjr | 4 years and 7 months ago

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prob’ calls for clarification: “to bring THE illegal deck up to code”
…not your deck

patrickburnsjr | 4 years and 7 months ago

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There are plenty of recommendations on here for iron-worker specialty contractors and architects from past posts. It sounds like (1) you want to investigate and research the 2004 plans and permits to bring your illegal deck up to code, or (2) submit plans with the necessary permit for a new steel staircase only. You might try an expediter.

stevecym | 4 years and 7 months ago

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A neighbor went through this and was able to file for the illegal deck, have it drawn by an engineer or architect, and keep it with some minor modifications to meet code. Not sure if you can do this with the one built where permits had been issued.

I know this is not your situation, but in my neighbors case, the seller had sworn up and down that the deck was legal and my neighbor said “if it is legal, put that in writing in the contract”. They did and when he got nailed by the dob, my neighbor sued the seller and won.