Adjacent construction

Neighbors will be doing a brownstone gut reno and extension. Should I hire someone to do a condition survey in advance in case they damage anything? Do I need to bear the cost of that? If I should hire someone, what kind of professional should I use to do that? Thanks!!!

mac007u2

in Renovation 6 months ago

4

465

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

stoopsitter | 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5034 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5004 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "899"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "stoopsitter"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "stoopsitter"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(40) "5225935985af34f5cb7d38985d44fce72c1ead04"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "BL5wuT3Od9XRNLbB6v0G"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(2) "JB"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(899)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Contact your insurance broker or agent and ask their advice. In the UK (where there are many Victorian row houses), it’s standard for a renovating home owner to sign a “party wall” agreement with adjacent neighbors. This lays out common hazards and remedies if there’s damage. It’s essentially an insurance policy that protects all parties. Psychologically, it encourages the GC to act with care from the get-go because the policy puts them on warning about the repercussions of causing damage. Not sure if it exists here but it can’t hurt to ask.

justinromeu26 | 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5032 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5036 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "189743"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "justinromeu26"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjSWB1c5WUJ0DBogl53oBDpnZifM8J."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "justinromeu26"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "justinromeu26@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2022-05-10 20:48:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your First Name Your Last Name Your First Name Your Last Name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(189743)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

you probably really need a licensed professional engineer. if that kind of person documented conditions and were able to apply their stamp to it, my guess is it would better survive the scrutiny of a legal challenge.

what you will be worrying about are cracks developing. the obvious issues are plaster cracks but i once worked in a building across from Carnegie Hall and when they had been (i think) driving piles for Carnegie Tower, the stucco facade of the building i worked for developed a large crack. (all of this happen a couple of years before i got there, so i was not involved in the documentation of that nor was i involved in the resolution which i knew required an engineer).

i am a home inspector and i am very thorough and well-regarded by my customers. if you read up on this topic and find a home inspector can document this, feel free to give me a call.

outside of buyer’s inspections, i am generally doing maintenance and roofing and facade inspections as they pertain to water leaks..

steve
brownstonehomeinspection.com

mac007u2 | 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5004 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5289 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191252"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "mac007u2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BGhZvHGp4b0MzBYZELYK61EEZ2faCQ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "mac007u2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "mac007u2@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2023-10-19 11:02:12"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(23) "ray mcmahon ray mcmahon"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191252)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks for this. Do you have any suggestions of the type of person to bring in to do an existing conditions survey?

Guest User | 6 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "209842"

Depending on the extent of their work they may be required to provide an assessment and monitoring for your property. If they aren’t doing any underpinning or excavation they likely aren’t required to do anything for you. It never hurts you to document existing conditions but you will likely do it on your own dime.