Leaving one wall standing

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Q. I read your last column about permits and when you need one. I was told that if I leave one wall standing, my house can be replaced with a new one without the taxes going up. Is this true?

A. I wish I could remember all the false information given by people who need to get your job started right away, without permits. I understand that business is business and the sooner a job gets started, the sooner money is made, and I sympathize with the contractor who has a crew he needs to keep paying, equipment, debts…But, I am in a position where I work the side of the law that prepares projects legally, safely and honestly or I go out of business from losing the trust of public officials, clients, and the State that granted a license. A state license is not the same as your local consumer affairs home improvement license. A contractor can re-aply under a different name if they run into problems. The State does not allow that and prosecutes illegal behavior.

So getting false information should be checked by contacting your local building authority with specific questions. I do not know of a municipality other than New York City that still allows the “one wall standing” scenario. Your county will increase your taxes for anything over 50 percent of work, gauged by either 50 percent of the total value of your home being spent on new work or by exceeding 50 percent of floor area. The tax assessor’s office, located at 240 Old Country Road, can issue you a property card that states, in the lower right corner, the value of your home which can be used to compare with your estimates for cost of construction. If the estimate exceeds half the property card value, your new taxes after the work is completed will be based on your home being considered new, at a higher rate.

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