Ever Get Busted For Working Without A Permit?

dshcontracting

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K2

I don't know the laws in your state but know a little bit about the laws in my state because my wife was an inspector. Inspectors often over step their authority. Local attorneys will often choose to not press the issue because they feel it is in the interest of the community.

Probably best to do what they say. I would however check into it as much as is prudent.

It's only money and inspectors get paid every week regardless.

Pearce Services

Dan,

The intent of permits is to protect homeowners from poor or improper repairs. If you are covering up damage, hiding water damage and mold, and not upgrading to new energy codes while doing this project, you really should have been stopped. If you are doing the work properly, the process should not be too painful.

dshcontracting

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Toothpick

I always pull a permit if required even if I know I can get away with not pulling one, I'll even call the municipality if I'm not sure. I like being legit, sleeping well at night and covering my butt, you never know what might happen. I have even lost a couple of jobs because the owner didn't want a permit pulled .

tkle

The point is you were doing it,not the homeowner.Maybe a reverse mortgage if they need the funds that badly,but actually the permit cost is minimal compared to the price of new windows and siding.Were you doing the job for free?

joasis

In Oklahoma, at least the cities we have worked in, permits are only needed for architectural changes, add ons, structural changes, unless the home is in a historic district that dictates any appearance change, like siding.

There is no valid reasoning to justify pulling permits....the public safety will not be compromised, and the building codes and permits did not start out life for this purpose.

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copusbuilder

C'mon Joasis, Are you saying our Government has a secret agenda

I agree with you, I am fed up with them f-ing around and screwing things up. Most inspectors don't know there ass from a hole in the ground. Purely another tax distributed amongst the working class.
Spread it thin enough and no one notices.

It's almost like they do this for a living

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AkA Richard Cranium

tkle

Just as there's no valid reason to have a contractors license.It should just be a free for all.Just build whatever you,however you want.I don't get it...

Chris G

Well, if as you said, "someone said something", there's really no grey area for the inspector. In his defense, if a neighbour calls, he can't just say, "aww, it's not that big of a deal, I'm not going to bother".

It is a little over diligent to enforce this case, but you may have being made an example of.

Also, if you were working on a newer home in good condition, I would bet this wouldn't have happened. But the fact that you were working on a home in poor shape lumped you in with all the people who usually do shoddy work. You were in the inspectors eyes, one those "problem contractors". Guilt by association if you will.

Sucks though. I imagine your ego is a little pissed.

copusbuilder

The public is not full of idiots waiting to have substandard housing built for them. We have private inspectors that will come out and inspect a home if that person feels they need and inspection. If they borrow money and the bank insist on inspections then a person has a choice.
That is what free enterprise and Democracy is. It is not a bumbling government office telling you what to do to conform!

Lets say you, as a retired builder wanted someone to build a house for you. Is it fair for the government to force you to have inspections for something you know more about than them.
Permits and inspections are no more than a tax hidden behind a label of protectionism. Some buy it I don't....and yes I carry all the needed licenses to legally work in the State of Texas.

Wife is waiting to go so gotta run....................

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joasis

I was referring to siding a home, not in general. I should have been specific. I suppose the siding could offend someone...or maybe the new windows may offend the dignity of the neighborhood. Yes, I also know an inspection would assure that the new windows and siding would be sorrectly installed...I would guess the inspector will have copies of all the manufacturers instructions on installation. Geez.

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Bone Saw

This is exactly how I feel about permits and inspections. Mabey if they just came out and called it the "home improvement/right to work tax dept." and field agents instead of inspectors, I could stomach it better. Like I said b4, I have 0 issues with private firms doing inspections and have very good relationships with every one I've delt with, I have even been solicited for employment by several, but twp guys are a different story!

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tkle

Maybe we just have good inspectors out here.The average homeowner has no idea what they're looking at.In a "true" democracy criminals would run loose.

Tom M

You guys have it in your head these private inspectors are the same as Building inspectors. Anyone can take an on line course-- a woman with no expertise for example an be a certified "Home Inspector" get a job for a bank or realtor and make general assements. A building inspector has to have been at least in the field for a duration. While many journeyman contractors know more about there area of work than the inspector. It does mean they are not widely knowledgable. They have to stop you if you dont have a permit, not cause they feel like being a jerk but for the protection from the community. If you buy a house any major work will be on record. Would you want to find out the home you overpaid for was a piece of sh--- because some do it yourselfer did a lot of off the record changes right before the sale that were rotting or failing shortly after you made the purchase. The fees merely cover the administated work and salaries.

Bone Saw

You have got to be kidding me We are talking about private engineering firms contracted by municipalities to handle plan review and subsequent inspections, thus they are acting in the interest of said municipality as building inspector. furthermore, I would much rather have the unbiased, non opinionated, cut and dry dealing with an engineer as opposed to someone who has spent x years in the field, left field for whatever reason to make a latteral career transition into twp inspection.


No more so than with buying a vehicle, or an overpriced bottle of crap at LCB state store etc etc...


2 words: BUYER BEWARE!

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copusbuilder

Tom, I know you are aware that each State will have different rules so there is no "one size fits all" Law.
In Texas at this point in time an inspector has to work with a licensed inspector for a period of time before being cut loose. Different states may have different rules?
If you hire an inspector and are legally entitiled to breath then you should know enough to do a little checking around,,,,Kinda like getting a car worked on. If you are not swift enough to do that then you will be seeking a mobile home inspector

Now, I can tell you stories of countless inspectors that have had no formal training. You are falling for the "government is taking care of us" fallacy.
Anything that is done by government can be done better by the private sector.

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copusbuilder

That would require accountability and responsibility?? Can we do that by ourselves Surely we need help

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ARCS

I sure hope you are kidding. If it were up to me a contractors license would be a much bigger deal than passing a written test and paying $250. I wish we could get rid of all the "fake" contractors around here that pay their 250 screw over innocent homeowners who thought they were doing the right thing hiring a licensed contractor. These people make all of us look bad.

tkle

But it's not us,it's them others.We all know 1 or 2.Willing to cut corners to save a penny.Usually it's the homeowner themselves doing the crap work thinking that they'll never sell.