While working in a high-rise condo building in Chicago on Lakeshore Drive we encountered an expensive change order on water piping that was not expected by our team or the homeowner. As you can see in he photo the piping is all copper and new. This was not what we found when we opened the wall to add waste piping for a new laundry.

After opening the wall we found old galvanized piping that now will require replacement with copper per HOA (home owner association) rules and Chicago code. The home owner of the Gold Coast condo did not know the rules and codes but we did and explained that it may be required to replace he old water piping to the new type and most likely it would be costly to perform. There are quite a few factors that raise the price which I will list below to help you as a homeowner understand why the pricing of renovations can some times be costly.

1. Copper is very expensive as a commodity and in Chicago we can not use PEX piping per code.
2. High rise water piping requires a shut down of the riser to for at least 10 floors which has to be performed with the management and will be charged a fee from the HOA.
3. Licensed plumbers are only allowed to work on water piping and waste piping in Illinois and their rates are traditional high.
4. Permits are required in some high rises and the home owner will be billed for the permit that can be $300.00 or more.
5. Working in a high rise means a lot of waiting and hurrying up which can be costly due the hourly rates the contractors will charge you to perform your work.
6. Inspections by the HOA engineers or the city inspectors can take time that may cost you more as a home owner.

As you can see there are many reasons that when a renovation occurs in a high rise that added costs can devlop and should be budgeted for by a home owner prior scheduling a project.

If you have questions about a project like this that we can help you with please reach out to us @ Post Services Inc. 847-668-7658