Frequently Asked Questions

Proactive Building Solutions is a New York-based consultancy and management firm. We specialize in navigating NYC's complex building codes, zoning laws, and permit processes. Our core services include Local Law Compliance, Expediting, Owner Representation, and Property Management, all designed to protect your investment and ensure your property is safe, compliant, and profitable.

We are not just service providers; we are your advocates. With over 30 years of combined expertise, our team operates as a unified collective of New Yorkers with deep, hands-on experience in construction, city agencies, and compliance. We offer a proactive, 360-degree approach that anticipates problems before they happen, saving you time, money, and stress.

We work with any property owner or manager in NYC. This includes owners of private homes, co-ops, condos, high-rises, historic buildings, mixed-use properties, warehouses, new developments, and commercial hubs.

We serve all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Our team has specific local expertise in each area's unique regulatory environment.

We manage the entire lifecycle of critical NYC Local Laws, including filing, inspections, and remediation for:

• Local Law 11/98 (FISP): Façade Inspections and Safety Program.
• Local Law 126: Parking/Parapet Inspections
• Elevator Inspection and Compliance.
• Local Law 152: Gas Line Periodic Inspection.
• Boiler Inspection
• Energy Efficiency Audits and Retro-commissioning.
• Fire Safety (FDNY) Requirements: Sprinklers, standpipes, and alarm systems.

Our proactive approach includes pre-inspection audits to identify and resolve issues before the official inspection, drastically reducing the chance of failure. If a violation is issued, we manage the entire resolution process: we liaise with contractors, secure necessary permits for repairs, and ensure re-inspections are passed promptly to avoid fines.

We maintain a sophisticated tracking system that monitors all critical filing and inspection cycles for your property. You receive real-time updates and reminders through our client portal, so you’re never caught off guard by a deadline.

Our Alert System is a key feature of our client portal. It provides you with real-time, automated notifications about important events related to your property, such as:

• Upcoming compliance deadlines (e.g., LL11 filing window opening).
• Inspection schedule confirmations and results.
• Permit application status updates (approved, rejected, needs revision).
• New violation alerts from city agencies.

You can choose your preferred method of communication. We can send alerts via email, SMS, or as notifications within the client portal itself, ensuring you never miss critical information.

Absolutely. We use enterprise-grade security measures to encrypt and protect all your sensitive property data and documents. Access is controlled through secure login credentials.

An expediter acts as your representative to New York City’s agencies (like the DOB, FDNY, and DOT). We prepare, submit, and track your permit applications, navigate the complex bureaucracy, and resolve any objections or issues that arise. We know the specific requirements and contacts to get your project moving forward efficiently.

On average, our clients experience permit approval times that are 50% faster than DIY filings. Our expertise prevents common errors that cause rejections and delays, and our relationships with agency plan examiners help streamline the review process.

We are experienced in filing with all relevant NYC agencies, including:

• Department of Buildings (DOB): Work permits, equipment use, amendments.
• Fire Department of New York (FDNY): Fire suppression system permits, place of assembly certificates.
• Department of Transportation (DOT): Scaffolding, sidewalk shed permits.
• Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC): For historic properties.
• Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): Sign-offs.
• Department of Sanitation, New York (DSNY): Permits based on Environmental Data
• Environmental Control Board (ECB): Handles Hearings
• Housing Preservation and Development (HPD): Housing Preservation and Development Violations
• DOT: Transportation Controls

To get started, we typically need basic project information, property details and architectural plans. We’ll handle the rest, from preparing the application to securing your approved permits.