1-3 Weeks for Permit, Now 4-6 :(

13 years ago

When I went for my permits on June 15th I was very specifically told it would take 1-3 weeks to obtain them. I also was told this by a DOB official himself, who said to me it usually take about a week but they say up to 3 weeks on the off chance things take slow and they "look like a hero" if it only takes a week.

So, it's been 2 weeks and I decided to call and check on progress. The woman informs me that oh no, we're working on a 4-6 week schedule, who on earth told you it was 1-3 weeks? We would NEVER say that?

I tell her, that I know what I heard, in fact spoke to a high ranking official himself who told me this. That based on what she is saying it could possibly be another 3 weeks before I get my permits, and, that I have already given my landlord notice based on the other information I was given, that I'd be out by August 15th and to complicate matters - it now appears that I have NO working bathrooms or working kitchen in sight!

Suddenly, she looks at the address again, and my name, and says she remembers me; we'd had a discussion while I was there about how I work in the industry (I work in architecture) and I reminded her again how I do understand about how things work but I also know what I heard and had I just been told 4-6 weeks, I could have planned my life accordingly.

She took some pity on me, and said she would try and speak to the powers that be and that sometimes they do make special considerations for extenuating circumstances (i.e.; I can only assume this means she'll try and put me further on top of the pile?). She took my cell number and said she'd call me back. What "call me back" means, and when is anyone's guess.

I am just beside myself with frustration. My cabinets have been ordered and will arrive in about 3-4 weeks but can't be put in because electrical and plumbing work has to be done/finished. There is major construction to still be done (bathroom relocation). I have an upstairs bathroom with no running water to speak of other than the toilet working. The house, in inhabitable as it stands now, and if it takes 3 more weeks for the work order, I just can't see how everything will be finished in just 3 more weeks from then.

/rant off and goes back to work for now

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

formerlyflorantha
13 years ago
I hear you!

Suggest you haunt their offices during a time when the honchos pass through the waiting room so they know your name and your face, leave a box of candy and flowers on the front desk. If that does not work, threaten a letter to the mayor and one to the newspaper. And to the crankiest person on the City Council, the one who is most likely to need a re-election issue to crank about.
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
If only I had the time to do that :( I work in NYC, and my house is in NJ. But, I like the idea of complaining to someone locally, like the newspaper or, actually there is a guy that writes a blog that is very well read in town. HE might be someone worth complaining to now that I think about it.
Related Discussions
6 Weeks to Fitness: Week #4
Q
Comments (19)
Beth, I forgot about freeze dance! You're right-- kids love it! I used to use Tae Bo . . .back when I had a VCR, I think (haha!). That is a good one, because it doesn't talk about being "sexy," I think . . .that's my big hesitation of doing workouts (other than things like yoga) w/the kids, because I don't like them hearing the message of weight loss, being sexy. fat = bad, etc. Outside, I was all set to buy them for home use-- went shopping with a friend who has always exercised in so many ways (gym, home, kayaking, caving, etc.) and she talked me out of them. She said I should just stick to weights. But, of course, traveling is a good reason, so I will get them. I have seen the GoFit brand-- good to know it lasts!! Bonnie, yay!!! That is awesome that you got yourself back on track. That is what counts. It's weird how we "think" not exercising, not eating how we wants. etc. is going to be better (because it seems like more fun!) but then we really do feel worse. RE: the step-- how is that on knees? More motivation . . . Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
...See More
O/B - Got my buildin' permit and financin' - now final review!
Q
Comments (5)
Well, the DIY seminar on waterfall building was mainly a dudd. But I did pick up a few ideas about the sound of the waterfall. Apparently, concave backdrops make the sound project (because it doesn't have anywhere else to go). Also, the sound of the waterfall is a deeper pitch when it falls into deeper water. OK, well the final drop into the pool is deep already, I'll just have to apply that to the intermediate drops as well. I'm working on a revised drawing of the waterfall (This waterfall going to be a project in itself! But it will be fun.) I'll post the design pic in a little while. I'm ordering the pool kit today. The clearers/diggers will be here in the next few days. I hope that I have this right!! -Renee
...See More
November Week 1, November 1 - 3 Tips and Helpful Hints Week
Q
Comments (24)
Here are my last tips for this first week of November. The tips y'all have shared are just great. Thanks for contributing. This tip for storing berries is wonderful. When get home from the grocery store, immediately rinse blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in hot water, drain and put in a glass jar when dry. Instead of a 24 hour life they can go almost a week with their flavor, texture and appearance intact. They'll keep as long as a week; it's amazing, but they last. Harold McGee To keep grapes juicy, plump, and tasty for at least twice as long do the following: As soon as you get them home from the store remove them all from the stems, wash thoroughly, and seal in a plastic container. The grapes will last for several weeks without any loss of taste or texture. Silpat Cooking Mat -use it for forming dough on, instead of a floured counter or a bread board. As long as you handle the dough with oiled hands, no bench flour is necessary and clean-up is q & e. -pour that holiday peanut brittle on it and it doesn't stick. Great for making small rounds of peanut brittle. -line a jelly roll pan with a Silpat and bake meatballs or sausage balls on it. The grease wipes off and the meatballs don't stick. Take an ear of corn and stick it into the hole of a Bundt pan, then slice the corn off into the pan. Never put tomatoes in the same drawer with your other produce. It gives off a gas that makes produce ripen too fast. If you use non-stick frying pans, never use Pam type sprays on them. The propellent eats into the coatings and ruins them. Instead, add a drop of oil and use a brush to spread it around. Microwave sliced fresh mushrooms on paper towels just until they give up their water then squeeze them just a little. Then fry them in butter and they brown nicely and quickly without that moisture you always get in the frying pan. Whenever you need oat flour, you can make your own by blending oatmeal into a fine powder in your blender or food processor. It takes approximately 1-1/2 c. of oatmeal to make about 1-cup oat flour. After buttering the bread for grilled cheese sandwiches, press the buttered side into some grated parmigiano or pecorino before grilling. It totally adds to the texture and flavor. Crispy cheesy salty bread. If you want the yolks of your deviled eggs to be perfectly centered, stir the pot a few times in the first moments they are beginning to simmer. Purchase a whole bone-in rib roast when it goes on sale the day after Thanksgiving for an obscenely cheap price. Then it can be butchered into a Christmas rib roast, several steaks, have bones for beef stock, and scraps for grinding meat. Greens - The grit problem was brilliantly solved by the Mississippi Delta Chinese families. Put greens of any kind into a net bag like stockings are washed in and put it in the washing machine for a quick rinse in cold water and a spin. Works great.
...See More
flooring 3 1/4 hard wood versus 6 inch engineered wood floor
Q
Comments (5)
When it comes to "trends" vs. "timelessness" you want to look at your personal timeline for selling. Are you planning to sell in the next 5-7 years? If so, go with the trend and ignore your own tastes. If you sell in a few years then you are not buying/constructing the home for yourself. You are creating it for the NEXT buyer. If you are in it for the long haul (7+ years) then you put in the floor that makes YOU happy and that makes YOU smile and that makes YOU feel better about your choices. If you want flooring that can be "extended" into other areas for a later remodel (like in 10 years time) then work with the 3" product. It will be around for a long, long, long time. Wide planks are trending HEAVILY right now. They come and go. And if you are in there for 10+ years, you will want to have the option of refinishing so that when it comes time to sell, you can update your floors for $5/sf instead of having to pay someone to rip out and replace the floors ($10+ per square foot for a job like that).
...See More
chana_goanna
13 years ago
Yikes! As a Jersey girl, I sympathize. Complaining to the blogger sounds like a good idea...but I'd try the candy/flowers/cookies first. Email me--if it's a town close to where I live, I'll try to help you out with that.
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
Rahway NJ. Are you my neighbor? :)
chana_goanna
13 years ago
West Orange. Not that far!
steff_1
13 years ago
Some permitting offices have a process where you can carry the plans to each office requiring approval and wait while they check and approve. Most of the 4-6 weeks is used up sending the plans between departments. Check and see if your jurisdiction has this. If all your plans are in order it should only require one day to get it done. There are services that will do this for you on a fee basis.

Please do not consider "candy and flowers" or any other personal appeals to permitting officials. This could be seen as inappropriate at the very least and really set your process back.
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
Departments? If only. Then maybe I'd have someone else to go to.

This is a tiny town where each person sits right next to each other - desk upon desk. And, most of them work part-time.

The problem apparently is that there is only one person doing the checking of plans right now - the other one is on vacation for an extended time. They just don't have the peoplepower to get it done quicker. And my "plans" are only one plan, a simple kitchen renovation. In fact, here they said I could have drawn up the plan myself if I wanted to, nothing fancy, but I had my old boss do an existing and proposed to bring in instead, plus a plumbing schematic for them so there wouldn't be any questions.

I surely didn't need an expediter for this at all. Nor did this small job warrant the expense of one for that matter.

What gets me is that the guy I spoke to, very clearly stated that it normally only take 1 week, hardly ever takes 3 weeks. Their website states 1-3 weeks. How it suddenly got to 4-6 is still beyond me - and no expediter would be able to help that along if only one person is there to review things. This sure isn't like being in NYC.

BTW, I'd never consider bribing anyone in any way shape or form. As stated previously, I've been working in the architecture field for 30 years, and have way too much experience dealing with the DOB in my profession. I know better.
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow, I'm stunned and pleasantly surprised.

The DOB inspector just called me personally. He requested some detailed info about the beam replacement in my kitchen, and said once we provide this to him he'll be able to "ok" the folder.

Of course, this is a bit tricky because it requires the input of my architect revising the drawings a bit and, it's a holiday weekend so nothing will be done now for several days (and last time it took him over a week to get to even drawing anything up at all). But, that still will be better than 3 more weeks for sure!

I feel somewhat relieved to say the least!
formerlyflorantha
13 years ago
I was not suggesting "bribing" the people who give the okay, I was talking about the office. Where I used to work, a vase of garden flowers or a box of Russell Stover on the front counter delivered by apparent pixies would not have been considered a bribe but a "buck up, we understand you're stressed" gift. When the paramedics scraped us off the floor after an accident, we brought them a bundt cake afterwards. Different kind of community, I suppose.

But it's fun to think about. The makings of a short story or a Lake Woebegon tale. Think of headline: "Disgruntled Homeowner tries Fudge as Permit Expediter."
steff_1
13 years ago
That's great news. Since it is a small town then politely telling your story over and over is the best approach and that seems to have worked. I've done most of my work in large cities as you can guess. Your years of experience in the field make it easy for them to work with you also.

There's a big difference in bringing a cake to the Paramedics as a thank you after an accident and sending gifts to public officials who are directly responsible for enforcing building codes so they will expedite a project.

1-3 Weeks for Permit, Now 4-6 :(

Comments (10)

formerlyflorantha

Laurie
Original Author

Related Discussions

chana_goanna

Laurie
Original Author

chana_goanna

steff_1

Laurie
Original Author

Laurie
Original Author

formerlyflorantha

steff_1

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

1-3 Weeks for Permit, Now 4-6 :(

Comments (10)

formerlyflorantha

LaurieOriginal Author

Related Discussions

chana_goanna

LaurieOriginal Author

chana_goanna

steff_1

LaurieOriginal Author

LaurieOriginal Author

formerlyflorantha

steff_1

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Laurie
Original Author

Laurie
Original Author

Laurie
Original Author

Laurie
Original Author