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Retaining Wall replacement questions

2:20 PM 04/22/2012

 

novice44

Brooklyn, NY

The cement or concrete retaining wall at the back of our property needs to be dug up and replaced and moved about a foot (because the current one has a huge crack in it and is leaning dangerously, and is about a foot on our side of the property line).  We're in negotiations with the neighbors about it. 
A few questions - do we need a permit for this?  Do we need a geotechnical or other kind of engineer?  An architect suggested we do because it involves digging 6 feet down.  Obviously I want it to be safe and sturdy and not fail again but I would prefer not to spend an additional 3-5k on an engineer's report - is it overkill to have an engineer involved?  
Also, can you recommend anyone to do the work?  it will also require taking down the 8' high cinderblock "fence" sitting atop the current retaining wall and replacing it with a wood fence.  The wall is about 18" wide.  

 

 

Masonry
Demolition
Building Code
3 answers
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  • vote

    deboerarchitects

    NYC, NY

    If you are pouring concrete than a permit is required.  An architect or engineer can take care of it.

    3:20 PM 04/22/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    totoro

    South Slope, NY

    The Department o' Buildings has a yearly no penalty retaining wall inspection service... I would imagine since you are looking to do the right thing you might call them.  Here is the info from last year    http://tinyurl.com/7rjcn9p</strong>
    I recently had a boring test done for some upcoming rear wall foundation work in Brooklyn. The boring test/ soil report requested by my geotect engineer was around $2000.  

    10:15 PM 04/22/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    busky

    Brooklyn, NY

    Our mason, Anthony at A&A innovative was bare bones but did a great job on some landscaping work in our garden. Might be worth talking to him. I think I put his contact info in another post here recently. (Sorry, don't have handy). Not sure if he'd be able to handle permitting, etc - you might want to have an engineer on the job as well to make sure it's all done up to snuff.

    12:55 PM 04/26/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

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