Pulling permits - looking for trouble?

ejb · May 19, 2006

The problem: I have some work I'd like to do on my place. It'll required some carpentry and some electrical and some plumbing...so technically I should pull permits.

My problem is, I've been in the house just a few years, and it seems to me a lot of work was done by the previous owner w/out pulling permits - electrical imparticular, but probably lots of other stuff to. For electrical stuff I've come across stuff, that while not necessarily unsafe, aren't upto code: i.e. a generator installed directly in from of the main panel (violating the clearance rule in from of the panel) among other things...

So, while the scope of what I want to do is not that big, and I feel comfortable doing it all, I am afraid if I pull a permit it opens up a whole bag of worms that may lead to other things needing to be fixed that would require an electrician (i.e. rewiring the generator transfer switch to move it)...so all of a sudden the cost and complexity balloons...

There is also other things besides electrical I know no permit was pulled...and they were not all done to code (though not necessarily unsafe)

So, the question really is: I'd like to do things right going forward, but can't afford to immediately fix all problems around here all at once..especially ones that I didn't create - so when you call an inspector in for a permit, does s/he have free reign to make you fix anything s/he wants before signing off? Will they be snooping around looking for other things? or do they generally stay focused on what you called them in for?

ejb · May 19, 2006

The problem: I have some work I'd like to do on my place. It'll required some carpentry and some electrical and some plumbing...so technically I should pull permits.

My problem is, I've been in the house just a few years, and it seems to me a lot of work was done by the previous owner w/out pulling permits - electrical imparticular, but probably lots of other stuff to. For electrical stuff I've come across stuff, that while not necessarily unsafe, aren't upto code: i.e. a generator installed directly in from of the main panel (violating the clearance rule in from of the panel) among other things...

So, while the scope of what I want to do is not that big, and I feel comfortable doing it all, I am afraid if I pull a permit it opens up a whole bag of worms that may lead to other things needing to be fixed that would require an electrician (i.e. rewiring the generator transfer switch to move it)...so all of a sudden the cost and complexity balloons...

There is also other things besides electrical I know no permit was pulled...and they were not all done to code (though not necessarily unsafe)

So, the question really is: I'd like to do things right going forward, but can't afford to immediately fix all problems around here all at once..especially ones that I didn't create - so when you call an inspector in for a permit, does s/he have free reign to make you fix anything s/he wants before signing off? Will they be snooping around looking for other things? or do they generally stay focused on what you called them in for?

billbill1 · May 19, 2006

If everything passed inspection when you bought the place and you haven't changed anything, I wouldn't think they would make you change it now. You only need an inspection on new circuits added to electricial, are you adding circuits?

billbill1 · May 19, 2006

If everything passed inspection when you bought the place and you haven't changed anything, I wouldn't think they would make you change it now. You only need an inspection on new circuits added to electricial, are you adding circuits?

ejb · May 19, 2006

Not sure what you mean about "passing inspection when I bought the place"...there are no inspections required in Mass anyway, but you can hire an inspector if you want (which I did), but he apparentely missed a lot of things - they tend to be generalists, not necessarily highly qualified in all areas.

So, I don't see having a unlicensed home inspector pre-purchase, could give me a pass on anything the actual building/electrical inspectors may find in thier review.

Yes, I would be adding circuits...and as I said, I'd prefer to do things right, by code and with a permit, going forward...but I just can't afford to fix all the sins of the previous owner at once right now...and not within the context of this current project.

ejb · May 19, 2006

Not sure what you mean about "passing inspection when I bought the place"...there are no inspections required in Mass anyway, but you can hire an inspector if you want (which I did), but he apparentely missed a lot of things - they tend to be generalists, not necessarily highly qualified in all areas.

So, I don't see having a unlicensed home inspector pre-purchase, could give me a pass on anything the actual building/electrical inspectors may find in thier review.

Yes, I would be adding circuits...and as I said, I'd prefer to do things right, by code and with a permit, going forward...but I just can't afford to fix all the sins of the previous owner at once right now...and not within the context of this current project.

Doc_Bob · May 19, 2006

( The problem: I have some work I'd like to do on my place. It'll required some carpentry and some electrical and some plumbing...so technically I should pull permits.

My problem is, I've been in the house just a few years, and it seems to me a lot of work was done by the previous owner w/out pulling permits - electrical imparticular, but probably lots of other stuff to. For electrical stuff I've come across stuff, that while not necessarily unsafe, aren't upto code: i.e. a generator installed directly in from of the main panel (violating the clearance rule in from of the panel) among other things...

So, while the scope of what I want to do is not that big, and I feel comfortable doing it all, I am afraid if I pull a permit it opens up a whole bag of worms that may lead to other things needing to be fixed that would require an electrician (i.e. rewiring the generator transfer switch to move it)...so all of a sudden the cost and complexity balloons...

There is also other things besides electrical I know no permit was pulled...and they were not all done to code (though not necessarily unsafe)

So, the question really is: I'd like to do things right going forward, but can't afford to immediately fix all problems around here all at once..especially ones that I didn't create - so when you call an inspector in for a permit, does s/he have free reign to make you fix anything s/he wants before signing off? Will they be snooping around looking for other things? or do they generally stay focused on what you called them in for?

)

Easy, if you can do it to code, do it. If you have neighbors who will "rat you out" while you work, pull a permit. If you are isolated and only you know about the work, go for it, but do it to code!!!!!

Where I live, the City is famous for losing permits. Great defense. I have pulled permits for my roof and new AC unit. Can't hide that work. Now, I have a track record of pulling permits. Any missing permits are clearly the fault of the city /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Some inspectors can be real tough to work with, some are easy. Good luck figuring out which one you have ahead of time. I asked around and discovered the ones in my area are unreasonable and mean spirited.

Do it to code! Never cut any corners.

Bob

Doc_Bob · May 19, 2006

( The problem: I have some work I'd like to do on my place. It'll required some carpentry and some electrical and some plumbing...so technically I should pull permits.

My problem is, I've been in the house just a few years, and it seems to me a lot of work was done by the previous owner w/out pulling permits - electrical imparticular, but probably lots of other stuff to. For electrical stuff I've come across stuff, that while not necessarily unsafe, aren't upto code: i.e. a generator installed directly in from of the main panel (violating the clearance rule in from of the panel) among other things...

So, while the scope of what I want to do is not that big, and I feel comfortable doing it all, I am afraid if I pull a permit it opens up a whole bag of worms that may lead to other things needing to be fixed that would require an electrician (i.e. rewiring the generator transfer switch to move it)...so all of a sudden the cost and complexity balloons...

There is also other things besides electrical I know no permit was pulled...and they were not all done to code (though not necessarily unsafe)

So, the question really is: I'd like to do things right going forward, but can't afford to immediately fix all problems around here all at once..especially ones that I didn't create - so when you call an inspector in for a permit, does s/he have free reign to make you fix anything s/he wants before signing off? Will they be snooping around looking for other things? or do they generally stay focused on what you called them in for?

)

Easy, if you can do it to code, do it. If you have neighbors who will "rat you out" while you work, pull a permit. If you are isolated and only you know about the work, go for it, but do it to code!!!!!

Where I live, the City is famous for losing permits. Great defense. I have pulled permits for my roof and new AC unit. Can't hide that work. Now, I have a track record of pulling permits. Any missing permits are clearly the fault of the city /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Some inspectors can be real tough to work with, some are easy. Good luck figuring out which one you have ahead of time. I asked around and discovered the ones in my area are unreasonable and mean spirited.

Do it to code! Never cut any corners.

Bob

Dargo · May 19, 2006

( Do it to code! Never cut any corners.

Bob )

I have to agree with you. I've done quite a bit of building and adding on to my place. I've always looked at "code" as an absolute minimum. The bare necessity. After inspectors realized that I wanted them to look hard and after I peppered them with questions about code levels, they soon discovered the way I want things. Off the record, the last inspector told me that when I go to add A/C to my barn next year that he doesn't want to waste his time coming out to see it. His job is to find instances where people do work that may one day harm themselves because of shoddy work or materials.

Dargo · May 19, 2006

( Do it to code! Never cut any corners.

Bob )

I have to agree with you. I've done quite a bit of building and adding on to my place. I've always looked at "code" as an absolute minimum. The bare necessity. After inspectors realized that I wanted them to look hard and after I peppered them with questions about code levels, they soon discovered the way I want things. Off the record, the last inspector told me that when I go to add A/C to my barn next year that he doesn't want to waste his time coming out to see it. His job is to find instances where people do work that may one day harm themselves because of shoddy work or materials.