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-ibgd t1_jeepi8l wrote

I recently redid the facade of my house. They fined us because the contractor didn’t get the right permits. The contractor ended up paying the bill but I guess depending where you are, they do check… and your neighbors might also report you. If you are going to have scaffolding, I think you are going to need a permit.

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No_Rope4561 t1_jeeu56l wrote

I agree with this person. I did a kitchen renovation inside a courtyard that was gated. Nobody could come in and just look so neighbor must’ve reported me. I knew who it was. Fuck you Maureen.

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USSBigBooty t1_jeg1dtz wrote

LNI actually employs a number of angry crows. The key is to leave out berries, bread, a small tank of fish, and expensive red wines.

Maureen may have reported you (fuck you Maureen), but rest assured, the crows investigated and confirmed the report.

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Buck3thead t1_jeex1ac wrote

There's a big difference between remodeling a kitchen inside your house and redoing your exterior facade.

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gut46 OP t1_jeepo8i wrote

how much was the fine? might be easier for me to pay that than wait 3 months and pay for plans i don't need

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-ibgd t1_jeerccm wrote

I believe it was around $80. I got 2 fines in about a month or so until the issue was fixed.

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Chunkyblamm t1_jeeymzd wrote

The fines will increase if you get a stop work order and if the contractor works through it and is caught they could get their license revoked. What sort of facade are you putting up?

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Loud-Policy t1_jefpy71 wrote

How much did it cost for you to redo your facade?

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-ibgd t1_jefr1q5 wrote

Nearly $40k. But I had tons of issues. I was going to remove just the stucco and replace the windows and add brick veneer. But once we got to the first brick layer, everything was crumbling. The new windows would have no support. The second brick layer was worse. So we literally removed the whole front of the house, reframed it and added a brand new layer of bricks. The original ballpark was $20k. That’s not including the cost of the windows.

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JeffHall28 t1_jef828e wrote

When you say there are "no changes" involved in "redoing" your façade, what exactly do you mean? Way too many variables here to say blanketly whether you should even be doing the work yourself.

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gut46 OP t1_jeg0i2k wrote

>n "redoing" your façade, what exactly do you mean? Way too many variables here to say blanketly whether you should even be doing the work yourself.

it's the removal of stucco and adding a brick veneer. The plans don't look any different

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archguy20 t1_jeh22v4 wrote

Adding a brick veneer is a structural change because that brick needs to be anchored back to your structural wall. L+I needs to see the proposed attachment detail to approve a permit.

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gut46 OP t1_jeh2amn wrote

We’ll luckily enough the original plans when the house was built called for brick veneer so I included that

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lawgirl3278 t1_jefa24i wrote

Read your homeowner’s policy. If someone is injured or something is damaged during construction and the work is “illegally” done, your insurer may disclaim coverage.

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I_like_dwagons t1_jefo63x wrote

Trying to get around L&I? That’s a paddling.

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hockeystuff77 t1_jees1eg wrote

I had a small project that blew up in scope that we eventually completed without permits. Because of the stress alone, I would not recommend it.

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crispydukes t1_jefajfm wrote

Some facades are actually bearing walls. The houses on my block have the floor span between party walls but the roof span front-to-back. You need an architect and maybe an engineer involved.

Chances are, a skilled contractor can do it themselves, but the liability involved is too high.

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Master_Winchester t1_jefrw96 wrote

Regulations are written in blood.

When you don't get a permit you own ALL the risk of the work. Redoing the facade requires a permit because most brick is structural. You can't simply re-lay brick and expect it to perform. You need to meet modern building code. (Same goes for stucco, siding, etc). If you fail to follow code you could have water and mold, poor workmanship with no recourse, or be fined heavily by the City.

If your home causes damage to anyone and you don't have a permit, you will be screwed if not dead because it killed you.

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roxemsoxem t1_jeghpm8 wrote

You need an EZ facade permit. It's for when you replace the masonry with no changes. As long as no doors or windows move this is what you want.

https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/apply-for-a-permit/building-and-repair-permits/get-permits-without-plans-ez-permits/

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gut46 OP t1_jegrmt6 wrote

I applied for one and it was Denied.”Your work description exceeds the work permitted under the EZ Masonry Façade permit. Please withdraw this permit and apply for the Residential Building permit and change the review type to Standard Review and submit plans for the work proposed. For more information or FAQs visit www.phila.gov/li or call 311 for assistance. “

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archguy20 t1_jegvcva wrote

http://www.tonerarch.com/

Call this architect, I highly recommend them for a project like this. The city is looking for a drawing (however simple) of the work that is being performed. The architect will make that drawing and submit the correct permit app to the city on your behalf, as well as connect you a qualified contractor that has experience performing this work.

It will be worth it knowing that the work is properly documented and permitted. Having the architect's stamped drawings and approved permit gives you protection is issues arise during or after the project is complete.

As others have mentioned, if a contractor performs this work w/o permit and something happens his or your insurance may not protect you.

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gut46 OP t1_jegxanz wrote

That sounds expensive

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archguy20 t1_jegy4c4 wrote

How much is the whole job going to cost? 10k, 30k? If you don’t have a permit, you are completely unprotected from any liability. If someone falls off a scaffold and dies you are getting sued. If your facade fails within 6 months of work being completed and you have water infiltration you are going to have a harder time recovering money. IMO you can’t afford to not do it the correct way. A call and estimate from an architect is free. Just see how much they want and what they recommend. They are going to adjust their fee accordingly, you will not be spanked for a job this small.

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Capkirk0923 t1_jefd0pu wrote

I worked at the streets dept for a while, and it shouldn’t be a big deal to get your approval and do it the right way. Just go down there to the MSB. There won’t be a big line or anything.

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charizardFT26 t1_jefpnhr wrote

It’s not worth the stress imo. Getting the kitchen redone now and I’m relieved seeing the permits in the window - no nosy neighbors can say anything

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MongolianCluster t1_jefs5d1 wrote

Put a big tag at the top that says "Application to serve alcoholic beverages."

That'll get the nosy neighbors going.

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