Considerations to Have When Making Improvements to Your Businesses and Homes

One of the biggest mistakes I find clients make when undertaking improvements on their home or business property is that they do not expend the time and resources to start the process in the right manner. The initial preparation and steps to be sure that the project will be properly completed often appear to be an unnecessary expense and delay, however it is extremely important to address these initial concerns. Several overlooked issues include:
1. Municipal Requirements – Very often a building permit is not obtained prior to the initiation of construction or if the building permit is obtained, the follow-up certificate of compliance or certificate of occupancy is not received. Equally disastrous is the failure to keep a copy of that building permit and then the certificate of completion in your records. If it is lost or never filed by the building department, a new inspection is required. This can require the new work to be brought to the then current code. It is my recommendation that both the landowner and the contractor retain a copy of the municipal approval of the construction.

2. Contracts – I am always amazed when clients come to me with a problem with a contractor and when I ask to see the contract, they either never received one or signed it without having it reviewed by an attorney, or even having read the same. Making sure there is a signed agreement and making sure that the agreement is reviewed prior to signing, protects both the contractor and the landowner from problems that result from misunderstandings, misconstrued promises or a simple misunderstanding of terms.


written by Stephen Diamond of Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, in Wappingers Falls, NY. For more information, please contact them at (845)298-2000 or visit www.vsrp.com

Renovations and Addition to Two Hundred Year Old Home

Meyer Contracting recently completed renovations and addition to the two-hundred- year-old Diamond Residence in Verbank, New York. The project was a success for many reasons, but most of all it was a success due to the seamless transition from the existing house to the newly renovated areas and the addition. This seamless transition was achieved because of the Team’s combined and coordinated efforts; i.e., the Owner’s (Donna, aka “The Boss”) desire for the function of the space they wanted to create, the finishes they selected and their commitment to maintaining the integrity character of the existing house, along with the Architect’s (Tinkleman Architecture) development of the Owner’s vision to a set of documents and Meyer Contracting’s (and our Subcontractors’, JP Masonry, Cabinet Designers, Walkers Tile Services, Harmony Hill Landscaping and Poughkeepsie Painting) execution and commitment to details.

The renovation areas consisted of refinishing and upgrading the second floor hallway/stairs, two bedrooms and a new laundry room. The main floor renovation area included a complete kitchen renovation and modernization and new finishes to the informal dining area, including a faux tin ceiling for the kitchen and informal dining areas. The addition consisted of an 18’ x 23’ sunroom and a 14’ x 16’ jacuzzi room.

The new addition areas’ interior and exterior finishes were completed with finishes and trim consistent with the existing building, which solidified the transition, creating a warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere. In keeping with the times, a couple of modern features were implemented into the project, which included spray foam insulation at the new addition roof and walls, existing structure exterior walls where accessible and the existing structure’s entire attic. This will provide a more efficient envelope and future energy savings, which will pay back the cost of the insulation in five to seven years time. The new addition’s heating system employs an in-slab radiant heat system which provides an efficient and consistent method for heating the space.

In conclusion, many thanks to our superintendent Butch Sullinger and all of Meyer Contracting’s employees and subcontractors for a job well done. We also want to thank Stephen and Donna for giving us this privilege and opportunity to perform the work on this special project.

Rebuilding Together Fall Project

When temperatures are in the 90s, winter seems a long way off. But freezing weather will arrive soon enough and homes need to be prepared.

This fall, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County will be completing four home repair and renovation projects, including three homes of veterans and their families. The projects will be sponsored by both national and local businesses, and teams of volunteers will complete the work.

Chris Meyer will act as house captain and project coordinator for the TD Charitable Foundation sponsored project. The project is the Polluzzi home which is located in Pleasant Valley. Both TD Bank and Meyer Contracting will provide the volunteer labor force to upgrade windows and spruce up the exterior.

“We’re fortunate to have such great support from the community,” said Executive Director Christina Boryk, “The homes of these families in need will be warm, safe and dry before the first snow falls.”

If you are interested in volunteering and participating in the Fall Project visit rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org or call them at 845-454-7310. You can also contact Chris Meyer at 845-635-1416.