Q. I hope you can help me. My husband’s dream is to open his own car repair shop. We rented a place and found out that the plans the landlord gave us for fixing the storefront aren’t enough to get a permit. We even went in to our building department . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/28/18
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Q. We have a small window of time to redo our kitchen and extend the back room while our kids are away this summer. We found out our permits might not be done by then. The contractor suggested making the foundation ahead of time . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/13/18
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Q. There’s a lot of renovation going on around us, and I don’t see one permit sign or window sign. One neighbor told me he didn’t want his taxes to go up, so he’ll get a permit if he gets caught or when he sells. Isn’t that taking a chance?
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By Monte Leeper
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4/6/18
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Q. We have a big problem. Our house was lifted and is now sitting on its new foundation, but at the wrong height. Our architect and contractor were recommended by the NY Rising program as preferred professionals, but a few months ago, the contractor, without saying a word, ran off to Texas with our job unfinished.
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By Monte Leeper
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3/30/18
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Q. What could cause the bridge to collapse in Miami last week? Aren’t there all kinds of precautions to avoid this kind of thing?
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By Monte Leeper
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3/23/18
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Q. Is there a way to prevent potholes? My driveway is made of the same thing as the street, but has few cracks or sunken spots. My street, by comparison, is terrible.
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3/16/18
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Q. We’re starting an addition, getting estimates from several contractors. Some told us we wouldn’t have to wait for the permit to be approved (it has been six months since it was turned in). Some said that we could save money substituting steel beams with stronger wooden ones . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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3/9/18
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Q. I got a summons for bushes and I can’t believe it! I live on a corner, and there are tall hedges that have been there for years, even before I moved in. All of a sudden it’s a big deal.
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By Monte Leeper
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3/2/18
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Q. We did plans for our house, and the architect told us there was “wiggle room” to make some changes if we needed to when the job starts. We’re planning a lot of renovations and two additions, to our second floor and a rear family room/mudroom and deck with pool. Is it true . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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2/23/18
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Q. I have been calling around for estimates so I know how much it will cost for an architect to draw plans. I have never worked with an architect, but I am getting very different answers . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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2/18/18
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