Questions
Frequently asked
If yours is not here, a short call usually answers it.
What does MFA Engineering do?
Civil and structural engineering, design and drafting, permitting and expediting, legalizations and compliance, site development, and project management. The practice covers a project from first drawing through final sign-off rather than handling one slice of it.
Do you handle both the engineering and the filing?
Yes. On most projects those are two separate firms, which means every department objection has to travel between them. Here both sit in one place, so a plan examiner's comment gets answered directly.
Can work built without a permit be legalized?
Often. The real question is what it would take. The work is measured, tested against current code and zoning, and either filed as-is or modified first. A site visit and a look at the property record will usually tell you which situation applies.
What is an open permit and why does it matter?
An open permit is one that was pulled but never signed off, so the municipal record still shows work in progress. Buyers' attorneys and title companies flag it because the liability follows the property. Closing it means documenting what was built and obtaining the sign-off that never happened.
How long does approval take?
It depends on the jurisdiction, the scope and how complete the first submission is — that last one being the largest controllable variable. You will get a realistic range for your department and scope before work starts.
What areas do you work in?
Nassau County, Suffolk County and all five boroughs of New York City.
How is a project priced?
Pricing depends on the scope, the jurisdiction and the complexity of the work — a small structural letter and a full commercial build-out are not comparable. Once we understand the project you will receive a proposal setting out what is included before anything begins.