Posts: 307
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Joined: Feb 2011
quote:
Originally posted by ericlp
I hate to say it... But being hawaii, I'm sure the inspectors aren't all on the same page.
Amen and amen. One of the biggest arguments for building off permit, if you can, is that the interpretations can be so divergent and irrational. I just talked to a woman whose 10Kgal steel rainwater tank had to be dismantled and rebuilt 1 foot further away from the house because some county goober would NOT give her a waiver on the small mistake the crew had made.
I asked her if she had asked for a variance, and she said "What?"
I asked her if she had tried a case of beer, and she said "You can do that?"
And I've heard out there's an Aunty here who facilitates building permits for a fee... half the employees in the department are her ohana, and she knows who to call to make things happen. If you know what I mean.
Posts: 35
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A guy down the street cleared his lava for each pier with a jackhammer down about 4 inches. Then he put some kind/Size# of gravel down, made sure he had a certain distance around each pier and padded the aggrevate down before putting down the pier. There was a code sheet he used to make sure it was correct.
My plans have not been submitted because I've put off building till 2012. The County has given me an address and my permanent Electric pole is in. Its just waiting for me to start. I would just like to all these little things available to me before I start.
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The downtown Hilo public library has it all....ask your librarian!
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Joined: Nov 2010
"being hawaii, I'm sure the inspectors aren't all on the same page"
Ain't just Hawai'i brah, that happens all over, may feel like you're special when it's happening to you, but there's just something about the role of "inspector" that attracts a certain type of person.
Right, wrong, irrational, corrupt - best thing I've found is to try to roll with it (unless the corruption is too blatant), usually that's faster and cheaper than fighting it - and it leads to better dealings in the future. Call it the cost of doing business, living in paradise, whatevah.
Of course, one of the advantages of going with a "professional" is that they have already dealt with the inspectors multiple times, so they will probably get a more predictable response. Whether or not that's worth the "professional" fee they charge is usually debatable.
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tmyc,
I would suggest you submit your plans asap. You must meet the code requirements of the code in force at the time your permit is approved. Before 2012 comes around there may be many extensive and expensive changes to the code. Also get your electrical and plumbing permits as well. And how did you get an electric pole and address without a building permit?
Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com
Posts: 5
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Joined: Sep 2010
The county has a free hand out, 6 or 8 pages. gives you the basics. Your drafts person or Architect should also know the ins and outs. You are not allowed to do your own plumbing and electrical. You must have a permit with a licensed contractor on board. I am a draftsman by the way if you need plans or some one to talk to about this stuff. Later David Holbrook 640-4911
