01-07-2010, 10:10 AM
Here are the results of my research and inquiries.
The two leading causes of home deaths and community danger from hidden construction defects are electrical and plumbing.
For all locations with exemptions for owner/builders, the four top construction trades that have restrictions (in order) where the owner/builder can not solely conduct the work are 1. foundations, 2. electrical, 3. load bearing framing, 4. plumbing (note where gas or municipal sewers are involved it moved to number 3).
Framing and plumbing are the two items where owner/builder exemptions have been granted at the highest rates.
Foundations are exempt most often with the provision that a licensed contractor or engineer supervised the work.
Electrical is one of the hardest to relax due to the hidden danger factor.
Now as for specifically getting electrical and plumbing allowed by owner/builders, there are several issues to overcome but definitely possible:
1. The number of building construction violations for owner/builders has to come within the same number of licensed contractors. In looking at successful changes, this was a key factor the governing body wanted to see. They didn't expect owner/builder violations to be non existent, just about the same as licensed contractors.
2. Prior to any change, there will be an evaluation to see if owner/builders are violating the existing law to a degree that makes it likely if given more leeway, they will violate even more regulations.
3. In all cases where owner/builder regulations changed to permit owner/builders to do electrical and plumbing work, the inspection process for both licensed and owner/builders was intensified. That also means the need for more inspectors as they spent much more time scrutinizing everything. Increased inspectors and their time meant increased cost of permits.
4. Reinspections to correct violations cost more as more reinspections were needed with more time was needed for each reinspection.
The leading factor that has resulted in owner/builders not getting the law changed has been cost. Inspectors and building officials will be taking on much more responsibility in time, manpower, and cost. That has to be paid by the permit seekers. However, that is something people don’t seem to want to shoulder. Almost half the changes that failed were due to opposition for owner/builders (and the licensed trades) paying for increased municipal cost.
The second leading opposition has been from the construction defect attorneys and their very vocal citizen clients. Public opposition based on perceived danger (often unsupported) can be vocal and intense.
The bottom line is, people can become their worst enemy in getting things changed.
The two leading causes of home deaths and community danger from hidden construction defects are electrical and plumbing.
For all locations with exemptions for owner/builders, the four top construction trades that have restrictions (in order) where the owner/builder can not solely conduct the work are 1. foundations, 2. electrical, 3. load bearing framing, 4. plumbing (note where gas or municipal sewers are involved it moved to number 3).
Framing and plumbing are the two items where owner/builder exemptions have been granted at the highest rates.
Foundations are exempt most often with the provision that a licensed contractor or engineer supervised the work.
Electrical is one of the hardest to relax due to the hidden danger factor.
Now as for specifically getting electrical and plumbing allowed by owner/builders, there are several issues to overcome but definitely possible:
1. The number of building construction violations for owner/builders has to come within the same number of licensed contractors. In looking at successful changes, this was a key factor the governing body wanted to see. They didn't expect owner/builder violations to be non existent, just about the same as licensed contractors.
2. Prior to any change, there will be an evaluation to see if owner/builders are violating the existing law to a degree that makes it likely if given more leeway, they will violate even more regulations.
3. In all cases where owner/builder regulations changed to permit owner/builders to do electrical and plumbing work, the inspection process for both licensed and owner/builders was intensified. That also means the need for more inspectors as they spent much more time scrutinizing everything. Increased inspectors and their time meant increased cost of permits.
4. Reinspections to correct violations cost more as more reinspections were needed with more time was needed for each reinspection.
The leading factor that has resulted in owner/builders not getting the law changed has been cost. Inspectors and building officials will be taking on much more responsibility in time, manpower, and cost. That has to be paid by the permit seekers. However, that is something people don’t seem to want to shoulder. Almost half the changes that failed were due to opposition for owner/builders (and the licensed trades) paying for increased municipal cost.
The second leading opposition has been from the construction defect attorneys and their very vocal citizen clients. Public opposition based on perceived danger (often unsupported) can be vocal and intense.
The bottom line is, people can become their worst enemy in getting things changed.