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I've been posting on this forum for a while and have received helpful replies. My wife and I finally bought a house in GC which needs some repairs updating:
- New kitchen
- Update of bathrooms
- New Roof
- Refinish floors
- Stucco repair
- Finish basement
- Remove wallpaper and paint
- Optional: install CAC
I think most of items can be handled without getting a contractor. I really would like to avoid one, since I've only heard horror stories. Do I need a contractor for:
- Stucco repair
- Finish basement
- Optional: install CAC
Anything that you need a permit for in Garden City you will need a contractor for. Wait till you see how much the permits cost too....although when you get your CO you'll get *most* of the money back. The contractor must have his license and the names of all his subs and THEIR licenses when he goes to get your building permit.
Anything that you need a permit for in Garden City you will need a contractor for. Wait till you see how much the permits cost too....although when you get your CO you'll get *most* of the money back. The contractor must have his license and the names of all his subs and THEIR licenses when he goes to get your building permit.
COngrats on your new house and good luck!
Thanks! As far as I know, I do not need a permit for any of the above... Right?
Hmmm, well - have you been reading the threads about finished basements here? If not please do so. Is the basement already finished and you're updating? Or are you going to finish it yourself and not get a permit for it? A finished basement needs a permit. And a word of caution - since everyone is getting gigged by the building department in GC, neighbors are all too happy to turn you in if they think you are getting away with something. I had a neighbor who had a POD in her driveway while renovating. The village had told her there were no rules against it - but then they passes a rule against them while she had it. And they summonsed her for it. She complained but they would not grandfather her in. So now as she drives around town, if she sees a POD she gets the address and calls the village - every time.
Don't finish the basement without the permit. If you ever do any work on the house that requires a permit, you'll need to let the building inspector in the basement, and then you'll have trouble. Do it the right way first.
Biggest issue you'll need 2 points of egress....you may have an outside entrance already in GC - that would count.
Just a word of advise. Sometimes the cheap way as in avoiding a contractor is more expensive. It may just be that you need to screen the contractor correctly. Not pay for the whole job until it's done(make that a condition of your contract) or just serve as yoru GC. Hound them and make sure you know everything they are doing. Stay informed
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