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DIY - Forum Do It Yourself for Non-Fishing Items

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Old 05-08-2012, 03:25 PM   #1
spence
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Question for you guys and yes I'm sure it varies by state/town etc...

We're thinking of remodeling our basement. It's not that old (early 1990's) but the addition was done by total hacks.

Most of the job is simple, gut, new board, floor, rebuilt a closet etc...

We're going to try and fix the stairs which are really bad. I think we can get the rise/run to code (just barely) by creating some more head room and reinforcing the joists above with a post. It's going to cut into my closet shoe space so you guys can appreciate how much this is going to hurt

I don't see a way we can get the width to code without major surgery but it's not bad. The opening in the floor is 32"-33".

How much leeway will an inspector give when you're trying to make it better but might not be perfect? I've already drawn up my own plan but haven't pulled a permit.

thanks,

-spence
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Old 05-08-2012, 04:00 PM   #2
ed morini
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Code

Spence, first off find out what code the state is using, probably IRC 2009, and ask what other codes are being used. In Mass, a homeowner gets to do his own work and myne issued a permit, but that does not absolve him/her from code requirements. Given the age of your house you should have no problem leaving your stairs alone...provided they were legal when first installed. An inspector cannot require new code requirements on an older building if it was built legally. You really have to look at the code book...perfect example, inspectors require strapping and blocking in some localities here in MA, but the code does not, there is a ratio of thickness to depth for their requirement and a 2X12 does not require blocking. You cannot find any reference to require strapping either.

Having been a building commissioner for awhile I can sympathize with your plight and the other members. Part of the problem is that alot of the inspectors do not have enough field time to use as background in the office, and builders suffer.

If I can help you let me know

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Old 05-08-2012, 06:53 PM   #3
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Part of the problem is that alot of the inspectors do not have enough field time to use as background in the office, and builders suffer.
Isn't that the truth!
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Old 05-08-2012, 07:14 PM   #4
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Like some have said most of these inspectors are book smart. It is now tougher to get your license, you can't just take the course anymore from what I have heard. You now need to actually get hours working, like an electrician. My buddy went through it last year.

As far as a homeowner pulling an electrical permit, it can be done, and the inspector can inspect it, but I was told by someone ion the insurance field that homeowners won't pay even if the inspector signed off on your work, because you need a license in mass.

Here is a good story about people not pulling permits. Don't piss off your neighbors. A friend of mine went to buy a foreclosed 2 family. The bank went to the town hall for some documents for the sale, and were told to talk to the building inspector. The building inspector advised the bank that he had pulled the occupancy permit for the building because the previous owner did extensive renovations without a permit. He wanted to get in and inspect the house. One of two things happened, a neighbor called on him, or the guy called on himself after the bank took the house. Long story short my buddy had to get a licensed guy with insurance, have him fill out a bunch of forms and send proof to the bank. It took awhile but he finally closed on the house, and the work has begun.

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Old 05-08-2012, 08:07 PM   #5
ed morini
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code

In mass an electrical inspector can issue a permit to a licensed electrician
and not have to worry about liability issues. When a home owner gets a wiring permit the inspector is liable as the homeowner has no license and under ma law may not wire. In the community I worked in we did not issue permits to homeowners doing their own wiring. Usually what would happen is the homeowner would get a permit have the work inspected and after the inspector signed off would go to town with all kinds of wiring beyond the permit. Insurance companies do not like unlicensed individuals performing work, it cost them too much.

Contractors need 5 years experience (may have been reduced to 3) in the field, or a combination of schooling and work to sit for the exam, PE's and architects do not need a license as they test to a higher level than the code requires and now there is a continuing ed requirement for contractors. Actually with the way codes are being written today you need the continuing ed just to keep up.

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Old 05-10-2012, 06:49 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by TheSpecialist View Post
Like some have said most of these inspectors are book smart. It is now tougher to get your license, you can't just take the course anymore from what I have heard. You now need to actually get hours working, like an electrician. My buddy went through it last year.

As far as a homeowner pulling an electrical permit, it can be done, and the inspector can inspect it, but I was told by someone ion the insurance field that homeowners won't pay even if the inspector signed off on your work, because you need a license in mass.

Here is a good story about people not pulling permits. Don't piss off your neighbors. A friend of mine went to buy a foreclosed 2 family. The bank went to the town hall for some documents for the sale, and were told to talk to the building inspector. The building inspector advised the bank that he had pulled the occupancy permit for the building because the previous owner did extensive renovations without a permit. He wanted to get in and inspect the house. One of two things happened, a neighbor called on him, or the guy called on himself after the bank took the house. Long story short my buddy had to get a licensed guy with insurance, have him fill out a bunch of forms and send proof to the bank. It took awhile but he finally closed on the house, and the work has begun.
That is why I always recommend to people whether acquiring a commercial or residential property as part of the P&S make it a stipulation that a Certificate of Occupancy be transferred with the sale. Fire Departments are Classic for holding up occupancy based on a previous owners Misdoings. I had a customer buy a building and renovate one third of the space for their use it took them months and thousnds to repair pre existing issues that would have been the prior owners issue if they had gotten a certificate with the title transfer.
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