MikeJrod
join:2001-03-14
Milwaukee, WI
|  Permits and inspection question?
I'm in Wisconsin and was wondering what inspectors for various house projects (namely plumbing/electrical/remodel) are able to do if you didn't pull the proper permits? Can they force you to reopen walls if they think that work was done? I'm helping a friend out and have done all the work on a nearly total gut on her house. I already got rid of most of the debris, re-framed some walls, did the electrical, some insulation, and started to drywall. We are having a plumber do the single bathroom that share the single wet wall for the kitchen, which means an inspector will be coming through for the plumbing. I'm hoping to have all the drywall done and painted before the inspector comes through (minus the areas that have new pipe that he would need to see). Any thoughts on what to expect? |
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caddyroger
Premium
join:2001-06-11
clubs:  | I would not be covering up any walls with dry wall until all inspections was done. They could force you to tear the dry wall down.
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Caddy |
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stevek1949
We're not in Kansas anymore
join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA | reply to MikeJrod
They could post a stop work order until the permits are obtained and all work is inspected. |
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Korro
join:2008-03-15
Pittsburgh, PA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to MikeJrod
If you are getting one part inspected....why not get it all inspected.
How much more can it cost you to get the proper permits/inspection at this point.
I would hate to see them put a stop order against you then make you tear open all those walls. And yes they will be able to tell if you did that work. |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| reply to MikeJrod
if he even thinks you did any other work that would require a permit he can issue a stop work order immediately. in my area each inspector pretty much covers all fields(not ideal but the city is broke) and they will make you open up every new wall to prove that there is no new unpermitted electrical/plumbing in it. if the inspector did not see it at rough in when the walls were open, they WILL require you to reopen the walls. and yes, this can cost you thousands of dollars in materials to do the work over, plus permit fees and fines.
of course you should always have a permit, but if you are going to do work without a permit, do it ALL without one. getting a permit for part of the job is the quickest and easiest way to hang yourself.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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UhOh
@comcast.net
| reply to MikeJrod
said by MikeJrod  : I'm helping a friend out and have done all the work on a nearly total gut on her house. Any thoughts on what to expect? In most areas, the inspector can nail you for playing contractor, plumber and or electrician without a license.
Basically, a homeowner can perform work on their own residence but can't perform work on other's. So if you're not living there, you may be in more trouble than you think. |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to MikeJrod
Can they force you to reopen walls if they think that work was done?
Yep.
You might as well go apply for the full permit now and reschedule your plumbing inspection. Many places require electrical, plumbing, and mechanical to be done by a qualified and licensed contractor.
Most likely, since you did the electrical yourself it will not be to code and will need to be redone. Very rarely have I seen even the handiest of homeowners be able to pass an electrical inspection, let alone do a safe installation. 99% of the DIY'ers who *think* they know what they are doing with electrical really just know enough to be dangerous.
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Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Shelton, CT
·AT&T U-Verse
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| reply to MikeJrod
If you end up with an inspection make sure he only gets to see what he needs to inspect - all other doors closed, you lead him in and out on the shortest path. Just to be clear, the friend is doing the work, you're just giving him a helping hand  |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Hollis Hosting
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..
| reply to UhOh
said by UhOh :
a homeowner can perform work on their own residence but can't perform work on other's. So if you're not living there, you may be in more trouble than you think.
I learned that lesson the hard way many years ago. Helped a friend build a duplex he intended to rent. I did all the plumbing and electrical. When building inspector found out he was not pleased. Had to get licensed electrician and plumber to sign off on work. Was probably the most inspected building in town.
If you are helping someone build a private residence, as opposed to commercial or rental property, it is not a big deal as long as you are doing it for free and owner/builder is the one being held responsible for work.
/tom |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
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| reply to nunya
said by nunya : Very rarely have I seen even the handiest of homeowners be able to pass an electrical inspection, let alone do a safe installation. My experience with owner/builder work of all kinds is either better then pros OR much much worse. Pros know how to do it right but are in a hurry.
/tom |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Shelton, CT
·AT&T U-Verse
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| said by tschmidt : Some Pros know how to do it right but all are in a hurry. Fixed it for ya! |
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BurntCricket
Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do
Premium
join:2000-09-02
Here
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by cowboyro :said by tschmidt : Some Pros know how to do it right but all are in a hurry. Fixed it for ya! I agree, a "Pro" simply means the person is paid for their services, it has no bearing on their knowledge or craftsmanship.
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It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
·AT&T CallVantage
|
I agree, a "Pro" simply means the person is paid for their services, it has no bearing on their knowledge or craftsmanship.
That's the craziest and most outlandish thing I've seen posted here in a while.
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Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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Willy
Premium
join:2000-09-24
USA
·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Online
3 edits | said by nunya :
I agree, a "Pro" simply means the person is paid for their services, it has no bearing on their knowledge or craftsmanship.
That's the craziest and most outlandish thing I've seen posted here in a while. I agree.
BurntCricket , someone goes to school, pass a test, gets a license and maintains it with continuing educational courses in order to maintain that license.
Then they actually go out and get bonded and insured, and you don't think this person is more qualified than some guy off the street or even some handyman to do whatever work that needs to be done?
Your comment is ridiculousness. |
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mattmag
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
clubs:
·Mediacom
| reply to cowboyro
said by cowboyro :If you end up with an inspection make sure he only gets to see what he needs to inspect - all other doors closed, you lead him in and out on the shortest path. Another useless post. Do you REALLY think an inspector is going to allow himself to be "led around"? Not even a prayer of that. They have free-reign on any part of the project and the house that they feel needs to be inspected. |
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Daarken
Rara Avises
join:2005-01-12
Cajun Countr
·Cox HSI
·Suddenlink
| reply to Willy
I actually am going to side with Burnt on this.
As a person who deals with the pros on a regular basis that is work related. I have seen those Licensed/Bonded pros do jobs that a handyman can do better.
for instance, this just happened last week.
The contractor who did my prep work for my pad came to me and told me about how another contractor that was well known for quality work, basically ripped a customer off in quality and quantity.
The customer was charged 6k for thier pad work, and another contractor was hired to do an additional part of the project, because the original wanted more $$.
When the 2nd contractor came to do the project, he disconvered that the 1st guy had basically dumped the pad dirt (about 12 yards) on top of the original yard and called it done, then charged them for 52 dumptruck loads of clay. so yeah.. crazy quality professionals.
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www.pointofexistence.com |
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BurntCricket
Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do
Premium
join:2000-09-02
Here
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | reply to Willy
That has nothing do with calling yourself a "Pro", a "Professional" simply means you are being paid for your services, being good at it is an incorrect inference.
Actually being a craftsman is something else.
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It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to MikeJrod
There's some bad apples in every industry. It sucks, but that's the way it is.
We professionals are better because we live it every day. I wouldn't expect a home owners work to be on par with mine. Most homeowners should not be doing electrical work anyway.
There's a big difference in "making it work" and doing it right. Many DIY'ers think that because it "works" when they are done, it must be done right.
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Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America. |
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kherr
Premium
join:2000-09-04
Collinsville, IL
clubs:
| reply to MikeJrod
Getting a permit may open a big can of worms too. They can require EVERYTHING on the property brought up to code, not just the effected area. Heard about a building just wanting an A/C system added and ending up having to bring the entire building up to handicap codes and other stuff. Cost an additional $1.2M !! |
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no_one
@qwest.net
| reply to MikeJrod
A nearly total gut you really should have just pulled the permits.
Even if you had to bring up to new code it is a nearly total gut so no real reason why not. If you perfectly know what you are doing inspections should be easy. If not then maybe you need help and the backup of the inspection.
Yes a building permit costs money but on a nearly total gut if you ever resell the house you can prove it was all done under inspection even if it was done wrong. A fallback.
If in the future a buyer has a question on the house and no building inspections done I can see problems.
I am just going by what you said a nearly total gut. Not just fixing up broken stuff. Fixing wall damages new tile carpet. maybe a sun room not for living area. You said gut. |
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