Who knew that after getting approval from the DOB, it would take another 3 months to get approved by our property manager? I’m too exhausted to explain why there are so many rules in place, so here’s the recap from the last 3 months.
November 3: We clarify with the property manager which violation issue in our building is stopping my contractor’s permit. They believe that fees have been paid. They offer no resolution other than to try again.
November 13: The DOB still does not approve the permit for my contractor.
November 16: I pretty much am at the end of the rope of my patience and post on a large mother’s group in Manhattan for advice. Received really great advice from two women who were former expediters who tried to help me get to the bottom of this issue (because all building information in NYC is public, they were both able to look into it). They both looked into our situation and both agreed that there are ways to resolve it and that all hope is not lost. One of them provided me with the contact of a firm who can help resolve violations as I was ready to lawyer up at this point. I’m also trying to write our property manager for more resolution, such as the building needing to clear the certificate of correction, because the system keeps showing our building as being in violation when I knew the building was actively trying to address the issue.
November 18: Breakthrough moment. One of the firms I wrote was very kind to write back saying I didn’t need to pay for their services, I just need an L2 form which asks the DOB to over-ride a violation on my building to give my contractor a permit, because the violation has nothing to do with me, therefore I should be able to continue renovating. I scratch my head one more time why neither my property manager nor my architect knew of this form. We submit the override to the DOB.
November 19: Override is approved. Wow that was quick
November 24: The permit for my contractor is issued
Black Friday: I make purchases of blinds from Home Depot and some light fixtures from Build.com. About $578 in total of materials. Put it on a few credit cards that would get us cash back and also through airline portals.
November 30: Our property manager notes that given how long it took to get the contractor’s permit, all the electrician’s paperwork including permits, affirmation, etc., have expired. We have to refile the electricians’ paperwork
Early December: My workload increases like crazy while the Save My Cents move to California. I basically drop the ball on the renovation for 2 weeks, while we finish quarantining with our son while trying to juggle our full time jobs
December 15: We submit more electrician paperwork. But are still missing items
December 21: We submit more electrician paperwork.
December 28: We submit the remainder of the electrician paperwork and are finished with paperwork for the building approval side of things
How do you budget for home renovations or other goals? Find a special coupon to get Your First Budget Spreadsheet for free in my blog Budgeting: How to start with your first budget to get started with a budget that fits you.
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For previous posts:
Part 1 – June and July
Part 2 – August and September
Part 3 – October
