It used to be easy!

Gary S wrote: One of our neighbors down here on FL is selling their house. A bunch of stuff done in the last 11 years without a permit and now before closing they need to get permits and what ever else straightened out. I would imagine they must get a fine or will they owe taxes?

It pays to:

seacamper wrote: Obey!

Bruce,
What happened in this case was the permit was written up and issued a number off the first set of preliminary prints. The zoning officer said she wanted the final set before she would hand me the permit. When she got the final set, she caught the 2' change in one location and a 3' change in another. The added sq. ft. cost me an extra $75.00 today!! The additional sq. ft. added was 142!!

mark c wrote: You guys haven't lived till you try to get permits for stuff in New York City. They even have a permit for hanging permits at your construction site.

Ha. I believe it. In my industry we use SOPs for everything. We need these to be in compliance for our audits. We actually got dinged because we did not have an SOP for SOPs.

I love Lamperts. We've bought so much stuff from there, wouldn't go anywhere else. The only problem is their hours! It seems like the more dire our situation, the more likely that they are closed. FWIW the Nelson's Ace up there is also unbelievably good, particularly the Sthil dealership within. Can't wait to get up there again.

Pete, is that Lamperts in Eagle River?

Obey!

Apples to oranges but my company builds and installs signage for multi family complexes and assisted living homes... We are based in Texas obviously but I have projects coast to coast. In the last five years I've gone from getting permits over the counter to a month or more in most cases. Let alone the fees. I paid $900 for a single sign permit in Houston last week.

Permits? PERMITS? We don't need no stinkin' PERMITS!

Years ago all that was needed for a building permit was to drive over the county seat, walk up a flight of steps, fill out a brief application, fill in the square feet, write out the check and walk out with the permit. Things sure have changed! So far, I've been over there 3 times. It seems there's always something extra they want. My second trip was due to adding 2 feet to the depth of the garage requiring me to start completely over with a new application. This was after they already had approved the first one! The extra 2 feet didn't even influence any set backs. Now the latest is everything the inspector needs. He already has the complete set of plans including all the structural details. Now I'm working on the energy worksheet and all it's calculations on how well the house is insulated and meets or exceeds regulations. Next project with be a erosion control plan during excavation and then through the construction. With the exception of one contractor, I've gotten all the needed certifications and license numbers from them. The list goes on!! At least I have some time before the frost is out of the ground.

It's all for the good but still is a real PITA!