Wed, 11/04/2009 - 6:38pm
How long did it take for you to get a building permit?
Hi. I'm new to the forum, and thanks in advance for any and all advice. I'm renovating my kitchen. It's a simple job. Everything is "existing." My architect filed for a building permit and plumbing permit on Oct. 23rd. I check the Dept of Buildings' web site every day, and see that it has been "Assigned to Plan Examiner." It's Nov. 4th, and still, no movement. No approvals, no rejections -- nothing. I have called my architect -- who has an expediter and claims the expediter filed the paperwork -- and he tells me that the Dept of Buildings is slow these days. Why? (Get this): Because there isn't a lot of work for them to do. So they're deliberately taking their time on reviewing permits.
How long did it take any of you -- who applied at the Department of Buildings -- to receive your permit/s?
It's maddening. (And yes, I've called the DOB numerous times; and numerous "mailboxes are full" and no one can help me.)
The DOB is slower than ever but it has never taken me more than 3 weeks to get approvals. What I am not sure about is why you needed an architect and a permit to do a kitchen renovation. Most of the buildings i have worked in do not require any permit unless you are doing major work.
Did your management company insist on this?
I had the same reaction as "primer05," if it's a simple job with everything "as existing," why is a DOB permit even needed, that would normally be considered a "repair" (but you must be doing something that made your architect file). So far, you're well within the normal turnaround for the DOB processing, you'll probably have it soon. Allowing enough time for these steps is just part of the deal.
One glitch I've come across several times is that the DOB filing by the architect does not match the Schedule B filing by the plumber. Why this seems to happen, no matter who the architect or plumber is, remains a mystery to me. What I've done to correct it is to insist that the plumber cc the architect before filing.
Another issue that comes up is if there are any open permits for your home already on file at DOB; for instance, if the previous owners started a job but the old plumber never signed off on it. The expeditor would normally research that before filing.
Type 2 alterations used to take 2 weeks, but since the building department has revamped itself several times over the past 1 1/2 years, it's taking closer to 4 weeks for their turn around.
Sometimes kitchen alterations with minor plumbing and no removal of walls, can be filed by the plumber. They can file an LAA (plumbing repair ticket). Lately I have found most buildings are requiring permits for everything, but this has been a way to save a few thousand dollars and still file that part of the project. Not all managing agents allow it, but it's always worth asking.
As for one2one's comment about the schedule B. They are right, it's a huge problem. Plumber's should fill out this form, but in many cases the plumber's not in place when the job is being filed and secondly, they don't want to take responsibility for it. Another suggestion is to have the plumber review the schedule B when they start the job, not the day before the inspector is supposed to arrive. This way, if the paperwork does need to be amended (obviously a sore point with me) it can be done before the inspection is set.
--Ann
Thanks for your info, all. No, my building did NOT insist on a permit at all. I hired a dishonest (and I'm being nice) contractor. HE insisted on a work permit (plus electrical and plumbing) so that he could charge me thousands of dollars. He claimed that were redoing the gas pipes, and any time you open walls and change the pipes, you need to file for a work permit. (Yes, we changed the gas pipes, but not the position of the pipes. We simply replaced old ones with new ones.)
I wish my contractor would fall off a ladder...but that's unlikely, since he doesn't actually do any work.