Every spring, building owners across New York City face a critical question: is my building due for its FISP inspection this cycle? With the Department of Buildings enforcing increasingly strict penalties for late filings, understanding your building's FISP timeline isn't just good practice — it's a financial necessity.
Understanding FISP Sub-Cycles
The NYC Department of Buildings divides all buildings subject to FISP into sub-cycles based on their last digit of their block number. Sub-Cycle 4 is currently in its filing window, which means buildings with block numbers ending in specific digits must have their inspection reports filed by the applicable deadline.
If your building falls into the current sub-cycle and you haven't yet scheduled an inspection, you're already behind. The inspection itself is only the first step — if the QEWI identifies Unsafe conditions, repairs must be completed and the amended report filed within a DOB-mandated timeline.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Building owners who delay FISP inspections until the last moment face a cascade of problems:
- Contractor availability: Every specialty restoration firm in the city is competing for the same QEWI inspectors and scaffold crews during deadline season. Starting early means better scheduling options and competitive pricing.
- Compounding violations: DOB violations for overdue FISP filings start at thousands of dollars and escalate monthly. Buildings with active violations may also be required to install sidewalk sheds at the owner's expense.
- Insurance and liability exposure: A building with an overdue FISP inspection that experiences a façade incident faces significantly greater legal exposure than one that maintained compliance.
- Emergency pricing: Rushed inspections and emergency repairs cost 30–50% more than planned work executed on a reasonable timeline.
What Panorama Restoration Recommends
Start your FISP process 12–18 months before your filing deadline. This gives you time to schedule the initial inspection, budget for any required repairs, obtain LPC approvals if your building is landmarked, execute the work during favorable weather conditions, and file the completed report well before the deadline.
Not sure if your building is due? Contact Panorama Restoration for a free FISP deadline check. We'll look up your building's block and lot number and tell you exactly where you stand in the current cycle — no obligation.
How We Handle Spring FISP Season
Panorama Restoration begins planning for each FISP season months in advance. We pre-schedule drone surveys, coordinate QEWI inspections with our licensed Professional Engineers, and maintain relationships with material suppliers to ensure availability during peak season.
Our AI-powered documentation system means that even during the busiest months, our close-out packages are delivered on time — complete, professional, and DOB-ready. Building owners who work with us during FISP season get the same quality of service as any other time of year, because we plan for the volume.
Don't let your building become a last-minute emergency. Start the conversation now.