Inspections & Permits & Codes... OH MY!

An unfortunate and negative stigma has developed among many homeowners and builders alike with regards to permits and inspections on their projects.  Often, when I am conversing with a client about a project and I mention pulling a permit, I am often met with a disgruntled sigh and a comment along the lines of, "Oh... we have to pull a permit?"  In fact, I have often had clients decide to completely forgo a project simply because it would involve a permit and inspection.

Builders do not help the situation by often making a stink about having to get their work inspected - portraying the image of a building inspector as a cranky government worker who is looking to make life miserable for everyone involved.  Permits are made out to be another attempt by municipalities to get as much out of the builder as they possibly can - and are therefore to be avoided, right?

In my experience, I have yet to have an inspector come to a job and be completely disagreeable and make a whole bunch of extra work for me.  In fact, all of my experiences with inspectors from various cities have been very pleasant and helpful.  Perhaps that is because I don't view them as coming to ruin everything, but rather, reassure myself and clients that I have done my work correctly.  By making sure I have everything ready to go, giving them adequate notice, and being respectful of their time and obligations, I have found that they are more than willing to reciprocate.  

A key factor is that I strive to build everything correctly and to code the first time; in fact if I am guilty of anything, it is over-building.  (FYI, building codes are minimum standards, so "over-building" is not a bad thing)  I'm not afraid of an inspector looking at my work because I have nothing to hide.  I often look forward to inspections because they give me a chance to learn more about the expectations and reasons behind local and state codes.  I would much rather find out that I missed something, or that something was done incorrectly, during an inspection than 3 years later when there is much more at stake.  And from a client's perspective, what could be more reassuring than having a building inspector come out and confirm that everything your builder has done is correct?

Permits may seem like just another government fee -and certain cities really need to reconsider their methods of calculating their permit fees - but planning for it from the beginning and recognizing it as a necessary part of the process, will go a long way in removing the unfortunate fear that it has created in the minds of builders and homeowners alike.  Do it right the first time and you have nothing to worry about.

I'd do it myself, but...

One of the things that I frequently hear from potential clients when we walk through a project is: "I'd do this myself, but I just don't have the time."  Sometimes they'd go a step further and add, "I used to be a painter when I was in college."
Perhaps it is the male ego, or perhaps it is simply a way to fill the silence - I don't know.  But I often wonder why potential clients feel the need to make such justifications for having a professional out to look at a project.  I've never had a client say that to me when we are walking through a second or third project.  There's something about that initial consultation that seems to necessitate a justification from the potential client as to why they are considering enlisting the services of a professional.
Sometimes it can come across as demeaning, as if to say, "my time is more valuable than yours - therefore you do the drywalling."  Other times, it seems to portray a lack of knowledge as to just what is all involved in a "little bathroom project."  It could more rightly be said, "I'd do it myself, but I have no idea what I'm doing."
The vindication of it all comes when, at the end of the project, the client is left impressed with the level of quality and professionalism, and says, "you do really great work, I'm glad I hired you!"

Common practice is not always the best practice

One of the things I ponder frequently, particularly when I am doing demolition work, is, "what were they thinking when they built this?!?"  My pondering does not stop their, however.  It is followed by the thought that someday, decades from now, someone may be demolishing some of my work and think, "what was that guy thinking when he built this?"
It is easy to question the common practices of the building profession of yester-year.  Why would you ever paint with lead-based paint?  Why would you use asbestos?  Etc.  Yet, I have to give my predecessors in the building trades the benefit of the doubt that they were using the best, safest products that were available to them at the time.  After all, lead-based paint is an extremely durable and quality product-still used in many industries.  Asbestos is a great fire-blocking, insulating material - it will function well for years to come if left undisturbed.
We do the same today.  We use the best products and practices that are available to us.  Screws have replaced nails, acrylics have replaced alkyds, we use lumber that is sustainable, energy that is renewable, and run job sites that are safer.
One obvious advantage that we have for us today is the advances in science.  We know much more about products now than we did before, and we can engineer stronger, safer, lighter products than people ever imagined possible.  Yet, what we do lack is long-term studies of these materials.  After all, it wasn't until people started getting mesothielioma and lead poising, decades after working with those products, that their use was questioned.  Lead paint was banned for use in homes in 1979, but look at all the recent attention it has been getting.  Think of all the homes that were built during the most recent housing boom (before the 2008 down turn), that were built with relatively new products and techniques.  Will all those homes someday be considered terribly unsafe?  Will latex paints be the new lead?  Fiberglass the new asbestos?  I guess only time will tell.  In the mean time, we as builders will remain committed to using the safest, strongest, and best practices that we can.