Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

DH and I live in a co-op in NYC. We have been getting ready to remodel our kitchen for a couple of months. After picking out everything and getting some estimates from contractors we decided that we were capable of doing 90% of the work ourselves. We talked to our co-op board it seemed as if everything was okay as long as there were no structural changes to be made (which we are not doing). They requested that we drop them a memo to inform them of the exact details, but that everything was fine. So, Sat. we began the demolition of our kitchen. We took down the cabinets and removed the tile floor down to the original hardwood.

So, today I receive a phone call from the building super. He informs me that we have not been given permission to do the work and that we need to call the building management and discuss where to go from here with them. ***!!!!!! We followed the instructions of our board and thought that we had been given the all clear. Their problem is the fact that we are doing the work ourselves. The super actually tried to tell me that I should have hired someone to remove the sink. Hello anyone can turn valves and pull. I don't consider that plumbing. If unhooking a dishwasher is considered electrical work then why was I allowed to put in my own lighting?!! I am just so frustrated. This is slowing down the work and the amount of time that I will be without a kitchen. All I know is that if they think that they can force us to hire a contractor they are CRAZY. If they want to dish out $5000 for someone to do it then great!!! Otherwise, forget it. In my offering plan it says that I am responsible for repairing anything within the plaster of our walls and that is all I am touching.

Thanks for letting me vent!!! Anyone else have an issue like this to their co-op?

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

When I lived in my Co-op, they said a licensed plumber had to do ALL plumbing work - in case there are any problems the maintenance people would have to get to the main switch. ALso that all electric had to be done by a licensed electrician -- some people think they know what they are doing but could potential cause a huge leak, or a fire, if they don't, so I think these rules are to protect all the shareholders. That being said....we did all the work oursleves (not a new kitchen, jst new wiring).

You may ask if there is a licensed plumber on the maintenance crew who could do the "official" plumbing -- our maint. guy fixed my toilet for like $20. Much cheaper than getting someone from outside...

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

I understand wanting an expert to do anything that requires moving a pipe or rewiring. I just don't see the difference between turning 2 knobs below the sink being any different then turning 2 knobs a bove the sink. I know they want to protect themselves and the other shareholders. I was just upset because we proceeded thinking that we had approval and now find out we don't. In the meantime my kitchen is gone and I would like this setteled so that I can get on with things.

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

I know you must be pretty ****** especially after they gave you the go-ahead. What if you ask if there is anyone on the maint. team who is a licensed plumber and could "do the job"? That is probably what they want you to do -- and they should be really cheap if all that's required is turning the water off and on!!

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

Oh man that really stinks. Why did they approve it in the first place if they thought you turning off the water underneath was going to be a problem???


I hope it gets resolved soon

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!

When we redid our co-op, we had the same trouble. In fact, the super wanted us to pay him to do the work....yeah right.

My father and his friend ripped everything out and hired some plumer-friend to do the bathroom. Plus, DH's father, whose not a plumber did the pipework for the sink in the kitchen.

We got a letter telling us how we're supposted to have licensed workers in our building....blah blah, blah. But we basically ignored all the letters and got our work done. I believe they gave us a warning letter too about some fine we "could" have gotten.

Since then, I can tell the super and his wife don't like us...I don't care though...

Re: Well, I guess we are in trouble!!