Building Permits -- Double Check Yours

I had my back stairs replaced about a month ago.  The mason, at my insistence, got the building permit.  When I asked him about getting the new footings inspected, he said "oh, they don't come any more; we take a picture of the footing with a ruler and send the picture to them and that serves as the inspection".  That didn't sound right to me, but he does a lot of work in our towns (and was highly recommended to me by MOL folks) so I accepted it.  

Now that I've sold my house something told me to check with the Building Department to make sure there were no open permits and sure enough, the permit for the back stairs was open.  When I told them what the mason told me, they said absolutely not, that Robert Mittermaier had to inspect the footings before the job was finished!  I emailed the mason about this and he doesn't answer.  He doesn't return phone calls either.

So if you're having work done, please be pro-active and make sure the inspection procedure is done right or you'll be in big trouble when you're selling your house.  If you're having any masonry work done now (or have recently) and want to know who the mason is, PM me (I'd hate to use his name here and then hear from his lawyer).

Indeed. We were very surprised when we received a notice from the Town telling us that we had outstanding permits for work we had done almost 2 years ago. It seems two different contractors forgot to schedule the Fire Inspection. Once it was scheduled it went as planned so no harm, but I can only imagine if we were in the process of selling and we had to address some issues. BTW, one of them was for the generator

pmartinezv said:

BTW, one of them was for the generator

No kidding!  I had to have 3 different inspections for the generator -- and the electrical failed!  Spear said Maplewood has some of the strictest guidelines for everything.  Which is good, I guess!

That's so crappy to find that out when you're selling!!  For final inspections I've often had to schedule them from what I recall. I don't pay anyone the final balance until I get the final inspection. 

mumstheword said:

pmartinezv said:

BTW, one of them was for the generator

No kidding!  I had to have 3 different inspections for the generator -- and the electrical failed!  Spear said Maplewood has some of the strictest guidelines for everything.  Which is good, I guess!

 FYI.  The guidelines and the building code is the same across the entire state.  It is called the Uniform Construction Code for just that reason.

However, I have noticed the intensity of inspection does vary from town to town.

@mumstheword - thanks very much for posting about your experience.  I'd PM you - but haven't figured out  yet how to do that on the new platform.  Please let us know how your final inspection goes.  And congrats on selling your house.  I enjoy your posts - so hope you will continue to be active on MOL - after your move. 

why not name names rather than being vague.  If its a fact its a fact.  

Sweetsnuggles said:

@mumstheword - thanks very much for posting about your experience.  I'd PM you - but haven't figured out  yet how to do that on the new platform.  Please let us know how your final inspection goes.  And congrats on selling your house.  I enjoy your posts - so hope you will continue to be active on MOL - after your move. 

 You're so sweet -- thank you.

I PMd you -- just click on the top banner that says "messages" and you will see all your PMs.  Click the pencil at the upper right hand side to create a new PM.  Have fun!

TigerLilly said:

That's so crappy to find that out when you're selling!!  For final inspections I've often had to schedule them from what I recall. I don't pay anyone the final balance until I get the final inspection. 

 Neither do we. We just did not realize that an additional and separate fire inspection was required. We got approvals for plumbing, building and electric. I would have though that the electric and fire would have been done by the same person but it seems that was not the case and they were outstanding. So yes, something to keep in mind. 

Oh, my. So sorry to hear you ran into this. I remember when we had our front stairs replaces in our West Orange house, we did pull permits (the contractor insisted, not that we would have fought it) and we did have two inspections; one was for the foundation, because it was being poured around the gas line, and the other was for the finished steps, with an eye to whether or not we needed to put in a hand rail. Fortunately, he got everything right, so we passed with flying colors. But it's not as easy as many might think.

What do you need to do now to correct this? It's too late to inspect the footing/foundation, right? So what is the Town telling you to do?

PeggyC said:

Oh, my. So sorry to hear you ran into this. I remember when we had our front stairs replaces in our West Orange house, we did pull permits (the contractor insisted, not that we would have fought it) and we did have two inspections; one was for the foundation, because it was being poured around the gas line, and the other was for the finished steps, with an eye to whether or not we needed to put in a hand rail. Fortunately, he got everything right, so we passed with flying colors. But it's not as easy as many might think.

What do you need to do now to correct this? It's too late to inspect the footing/foundation, right? So what is the Town telling you to do?

 Thank God he approved it as is.  The ONLY thing to have gone right this week!  LOL!  (where are the emoticons???)

Phew. That is very good news!

I tried to pm you @mumstheword. I hope it worked. I think I know who you used from previous threads. We're thinking about using the same contractor, but not if it's too hard to deal with permits and inspections. Any other feedback/advice?

housewo said:

I tried to pm you @mumstheword. I hope it worked. I think I know who you used from previous threads. We're thinking about using the same contractor, but not if it's too hard to deal with permits and inspections. Any other feedback/advice?

 I PMd you!

I, too, am wondering...how do I avoid the contractor who did not follow through on his work? 

gerryl said:

I, too, am wondering...how do I avoid the contractor who did not follow through on his work? 

 As I said in my original post, if you're interested in who it is, PM me!