What steps have you taken so far? What info have you found out? Who have you spoken with? Have you spoken with a permit expediting service? Do you have a contractor on board? What type of structure is this for (condo, apt, house, brownstone, etc.)

I live in a condo, steam generator selected (Mr. Steam or Steamist); unsigned contract with the contractor. I have porcelain tiles selected. Called 10 numbers at the DOB on Friday and no one could help me. I have run over 100 Google search over the last week and found nothing. Looked at DOB website and it wasn’t helpful. Didn’t know what a expediting service was until two days ago.

Have you approached your condo board to see what their requirements are or if you are even allowed to do this in your building? Do they require you to use certain contractors? What has your contractor who I would presume has done steamers before say about getting the permit? You are prepared to gut the shower to the studs as a steamer takes vapor proofing and a much different prep than a shower?

If your contractor isn't willing to do it, then there are so-called "permit expeditors" which work in New York City because the process is so complicated.

The condo Board uses the standard alteration agreement which says that the owner is required to get all requisite permits for all jobs. Even if the condo doesnt require it, I would still be liable if the DOB requires it. I chatted with the management company which is a pretty large one in the city and they explained that the contractor should know what permits to get for all jobs and the expectation is that they will get them. They don’t know the technicalities and it’s not their job to know. I get it. The building doesn’t require us to use certain contractors because they don’t want the liability if something goes wrong. My contractor as well as all 5 of the ones that I have spoken to suggest skirting the DOB rules because it will cost me more and they are a pain. I don’t feel comfortable doing that because I don’t want any issues in the future from the DOB, condo management, neighbors, if I sell in the future or if I get another done in the future and the inspector comes and see unauthorized work. Most people I know don’t get permits and the contractor encourages them not to. I totally get it but it’s a risk that I am not willing to take. If I were in a house, I may take the risk but given that I live among other people it’s a risk that I don’t want to take. I am just trying to find out what I need to do given that the DOB will hold me financially liable if it’s not done correctly. I can’t figure why getting this information is iso hard.
PS Yes, I am prepared to do appropriate stream and vapor proofing. I am really excited about getting this done, I am overwhelmed and annoyed because I cannot figure out what needs to be done. Pre-pandemic I used steam rooms often. I won’t be doing that again. I look forward to having some one my small bathroom.

"My contractor as well as all 5 of the ones that I have spoken to suggest skirting the DOB rules because it will cost me more and they are a pain."

What do you do when they screw it up and dump water in the condo below you and were no permits pulled or inspections done? What about when your HO Ins. balks at paying? I realize you said you did not want to skirt the permit process and good for you. You "may" be able to get away with it in a private home but in a NYC Condo, not worth the risk. And ay contractor tat suggests doing so (especially in a condo) is not worth discussing it any further with. Just my .02 cents.........................

@Millworkman - first thanks for your response! I greatly appreciate your time. I think you misunderstood my post. The entire point of my post is because I am trying to figure out the correct permits that I need. If I intended to skirt the DOB rules, i wouldn’t have made 10 calls to the DOB last week, I also wouldn’t have run 100 google searches, and I also wouldn’t be here. If I wanted to skirt the rules, my bathroom would be done. I would actually be in my steam shower today! Instead, I am losing money daily as I try to figure this out. The purpose behind my post is because I am hoping that someone can share and/or point me in the right direction so that I can understand the permit requirements for a steam generator installation. My question is not “should I get permits.” I need no convincing at this point. The question is “does anyone know what permits are necessary.” The DOB website is useless. Hoping that you or someone else can kindly point me in the right direction. Thanks so much!!!!!!

You hired the wrong contractor is the big issue. He doesnt know what to do because he hasn’t done it before.

Hire the much more expensive guy who has been around the block before. And who uses an expediter. If youre not getting an estimate for a 30K shower, in a 60K+ remodel, you again are looking at the wrong contractor.

I know what you said, and if you read me reply I commended you for doing this the right way with permits. I was saying WHY you need the permits, in case you were considering potentially listening to one of your 5 bozos recommendations. Potentially a plumbing supply house may be of use with the permits required.

"You hired the wrong contractor is the big issue."

The OP has not hired anyone if you bothered to read the posts @User.

I read it. They have selected a contractor, have a contract ready to sign, and are currently doing most of his work for him. Which defeats the purpose of hiring the right guy.

@Verbo and @Millworkman - thanks for taking the time to respond. Yes, I am doing most of leg work because I can’t seem to get a consistent answer from anyone. As a @Vero, he was actually the most expensive person of the proposals I received. Given that I could get a $25,000 penalty for the failure to get the correct permit, I don’t mind doing the leg work. I have to protect myself. Maybe it’s a NYC thing but most people I know are not getting the correct permits. I will continue to plow forward and share what I learn here! @Millworkman - I am not considering skirting the rules. I am a lawyer. I have been in my condo for 15 years. I am a respected member of the community. I have 2 units in the building. It’s not something I am willing to risk. Thanks for the feedback!

@verbo - it’s a little over 45K - labor only.

Too cheap for a steam shower bathroom in a condo.

Really? How much do you think labor should cost. And what does being a condo have to do with it? I got a few proposal and they were all around $40K-ish.

That’s interesting. I was on the condo board and I have access to alot of information. This price is pretty consistent with what others are charging; not just in my building but the surrounding buildings. I am also getting another bathroom remodeled. We have a coalition with surrounding buildings so I had insight to their renovations. It’s also consistent with what my friends in brownstones in NYC and homes in NJ and Westchester are paying. Most of the contractors that I spoke to work in condos and co-ops. I have tried hard to make this a building that is respectful of contractors.

So, whats the plan for the vapor proofing? As explained to you by your budget guy?

I am really just here to get guidance on permits. Thanks to all for your feedback.

@dbotemple FWIW contractors in NYC are generally more willing to work in coops and condos because they would be cutting themselves out of a significant and lucrative market if they didn't.

Where condo/coops are a less significant percentage of the market, GC's can afford to choose not to do work in condos. I did a gut remodel in a high rise condo in Los Angeles and not every GC wanted to do it but they could afford to not do it since it is a small share of the housing market in Los Angeles.

Per my original suggestion, use a permit expeditor in New York City because the process is so convoluted. Here is an article on them but if you google New York City permit expeditors you can find firms, recommendations and explanations.

https://www.milrose.com/insights/the-key-role-of-a-permit-expeditor-in-the-nyc-dob-permitting-process

I am currently having my kitchen remodeled in a NYC condo. My plumber moved the gas stove from one side of the room to the other. I wanted, and he insisted on getting permits. Not just for the gas but the plumbing. The plumber uses an expeditor who obtained the needed permits. I paid handsomely for the privilege of getting the permits quickly. It takes months for anyone else to obtain a permit. Contractors and trades people always use an expeditor, or they would never get a permit. I think what others are concerned with, it might be a red flag that your contractor doesn't have an expeditor on speed dial.

Good luck with your steam shower.

Figured out the permit issue. Thanks all!!!

@dbotemple - could you share wbat you tound out re permitting?

You need a plumbing permit and an electrical permit.