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There's been talk at the county about us going that same way, where the architect is the responsible party and basically "certifies" the inspections and the county never goes on-site. Interesting idea, but I wonder what the architects think about that.
John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
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I have discussed this with some architects and got the following feedback:
If the architects take sole responsibility then that will include site inspections. Having an achitect make site inspections will be much, much more expensive (and time consuming) than the building department.
County building permits will definately look like a bargin (which they are) if the sole responsibility falls on the private sector.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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I have never worked in a municipality where the the building department has taken resonsibility for ANYTHING. There is always a disclaimer that they are not liable for this, that, and the other thing. My experience has been that the private sector carries the responsibility and liability anyway, so perhaps they should perform inspections as well. I have no doubt that there would be increased costs, but would we be able to eliminate the weeks of time in plan check, non-flexibility for sometimimes arbitrary regulations, and inspectors that range from idiots to extorsionists? Would there be some value there? Jugding by the proliferation of non-permitted structures on the Island, I suspect the HUGE and ponderous bureaucracy is a giant many people choose not to deal with. If a party could assume that a bonded architect/ engineers stamp would expedite a building permit, and the same architect/engineer would or could sign off on the work, would more construction be permitted? Or is preferable to have the collection of non-permitted construction that doesn't exist for insurers, assesors, and mortgage companies?
Aloha 
Richwhiteboy
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Before you start calling people names you should know there is at least 2 sides to every story.I was a chief building inspector for a small city north of nyc. And i spent most of my time arguing with people and their lawyers, mostly about zoning and planing stuff.but also with people wondering why there couldn't wire there house with tv twinlead or it's not there responablity if the neighbors kid drowns in their pool.nobody wants to be regulated but still want somebody to blame if they do something stupid or hire someone cheap and something bad happens. as for the code the specification parts of the ny code had a line "or by accepted enginering practice" which meant that a engineer could sign off on it.
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I think a real problem around here is the plumbing and electrical licensing requirement for the owner-builder. i think there are a lot of houses without C.O.s that got a permit and and got inspections up till the point that they needed one of the required licenses then could'nt find or aford someone to do the work.some things should need a license like hooking up to a public watermain,but a single family owner occupied on catchment isnt one of them. it should all be inspected the same. in the irc it has everything in one book for a single family house
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No offense meant, Seeb. I'm sure you have plenty of stories also. But my experience throughout CA has been that you have about a 50% chance of getting a reasonable building inspector.
And I agree about the plumbing and electrical license requirement. If the the work is correct, what difference should it make whose hands did it? This is great for the licensed contractors, and I'm sure plenty of them put their # on work done by others (for a fee). Who benefits and who loses?
And when the County makes it such a PITA to permit work, who benefits and who loses?
Aloha!
Richwhiteboy
"I am an optimist because I want to change things for the better and I know that blood has to be spilled and disharmony and cruelty are necessary to do that." -
Henry Rollins
“Sometimes the truth hurts. And sometimes it feels real good.”
- Henry Rollins
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haoleboy - dont take this the wrong way but as I say to my SO (who is from Wichita,KS) "toto you're not in kansas any more"... as he whines about the bldg dept [:d]
Our building department is significatly less stringent that many other counties/states. it could be worse. And I do think that an arch signing off should be an OPTION, not a complete either /or.
I also believe that unpermitted Puna structures dont have as much to do with the paperwork as the fact that many were built "back in the day" - in the days when there were no easements for utilities etc so no one with out a search warrant could enter (unless invited)... when a unmentionable crop was our #1 ag product.
-Cat
Catherine Dumond
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Edited by - kapohocat on 09/30/2006 08:36:14
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What do you mean, WAS our number 1 ag product? I think it still is.
John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
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ha ha ha... John - thats a whole 'nother thread! ha ha
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I agree with Cat that our building process is currently as low cost and efficient as we can hope for.
I use to work in California where a residential permit could cost $30k and take 18 months to acquire. Our local cost and turnaround time are very nominal. I see our building department as valuable allies.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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