Coming: 24/7 Online Access to Dept. of Buildings for Scheduling Inspections

Users who register for the service, which will be part of the NYC Development Hub website where many permit approvals currently can be made, will be able to schedule inspections of boilers, pavement plans, electrical component, elevators, plumbing, sustainability elements and more.

"This new service from the NYC Development Hub will allow our customers to request inspections online and have the results of those inspections emailed to them within 24 hours," Dept. of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said in a statement. "Hub Inspection Ready will provide better, faster service and reduce the costs associated with in-person visits and calls to the Department’s borough offices."

The DOB says Hub Inspection Ready offers more precise inspection scheduling and improves inspection tracking and notifications. In addition, it further standardizes the electronic checklists used by Department inspectors for improved agency-wide consistency.

You Still Have a Fax Machine?

The department offers what it calls a typical scenario of inspections under the current system, a process in which co-op / condo property managers or others request an inspection by email, phone, fax or an in-person visit to DOB, an inspection is scheduled, an inspection route is created manually, an inspection is conducted, and its results are submitted to a supervisor who reviews them, after which they're sent to the requester.

The new method involves no phone calls, faxes, emails or in-person visits. The property manager, super or whomever goes online, anytime day or night, to request an inspection. After the DOB calculates an inspection route, the requester gets an inspection date and time. The inspection is conducted, and initial results are emailed to the requester and made available online while the supervisor reviews them. 

As well, any documents related to objections or to certify that needed work has been done can up uploaded securely online, rather than mailed, faxed or dropped off.

There are no additional fees for the service.

Currently, New York State licensed architects and engineers, licensed contractors and filing representatives who register with the Department already can, variously, submit digital plans for proposed minor construction; certify plans for proposed minor renovations in order to receive an approval and a construction permit within 24 hours; and submit applications and obtain permits for proposed electrical work, minor plumbing work under $25,000 and after-hours variances, among other things.

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