Question re: permits for renovations

Hi, we found a house in a neighborhood that we really like BUT the house needs a lot of work. It was a cape, converted into a colonial being used as a 2 family. So it's a very awkward layout but has tons of potential. In order to get the house to what we want it to be (open floor plan), we would need to knock down walls (no "bearing" walls), fix the bathrooms and kitchen. I just called the town to ask if we need permits to knock down walls and they said yes. I don't mind obtaining the permits but they want plans drawn up by an architecht (sp?) Has anyone done this before? Any ideas on how much an architech will costs just to draw up plans? Do owners really get permits/architech plans for this stuff or just do it on their own? I really like this house but now am 2nd guessing it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!


ETA: I'm from Queens that's why I'm clueless about LI permits and such.

Message edited 7/26/2007 1:05:48 PM.

Re: Question re: permits for renovations

Was the town clear in understanding you meant interior and not exterior walls?

Re: Question re: permits for renovations

Yes I explained to the woman what we wanted to do and assumed she understood it was interior work that needed to be done. I'm going to call again to make sure.

Re: Question re: permits for renovations

I think they require a permit when you knock down walls to be certain that you are not knocking down any load bearing walls. Also, walls can have electricity or plumbing in them which will have to be re-routed and they want to make sure that is done properly.

I believe architects charge about $5k and it can increase if the plans are very intricate.

Re: Question re: permits for renovations

Generally permits are needed for exterior work not interior work UNLESS you are converting non-habitable space into habitable space (EX: making a garage a bedroom). That said, every single town on LI is different and if you are in an incorporated village the rules are different from the town's, so make sure you're calling the right place.

Re: Question re: permits for renovations

I called again and they told me that yes you need permits and plans to knock down interior walls b/c you are changing the structure of the house. So we're not going to go forward with this house.

The house we like is in Franklin Square and I called the town of Hempstead. Am I calling the wrong place?