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I think we are both right Pete. Fact is there are a LOT of jurisdictions in the country where an owner/builder can do everything. No license required. It is their property. The inspector is the final judge. If it is not done right it does not pass. If an inspector has to make too many trips they charge extra.
Structural work is no less dangerous than electrical. A building collapse can certainly kill.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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I have seen a bunch of permitted finaled work by licensed contractors that I could tell from the road that it didn't meet code
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And the Prima Facie ( guilty until proven innocent) stuff in the owner builder section of the law is absolutely unconstitutional
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Never seen so many Constitutional scholars hanging out in one forum outside of Scotusblog!
My reaction is primarily to the OP's proposal to pay off tradesman to sign off on a residential electrical or plumbing permit. Having been a victim of extreme shoddiness in construction I don't think it's a good idea. Not many people can do good construction work and probably more don't really care whether they are making problems for the future if they can get away for cheap today.
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Sorry to tell you, but I've seen plenty of union work that was not up to code.
I'm going to refrain from saying anything else on this, 'cause I like to post on this forum occasionaly.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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I have no problem with electricians, plumbers etc. making a good living, and they CAN off folks who cannot or will not do it themselves. Why should I, who CAN do it myself, correctly I might add, be Forced to pay thousands to watch someone else do what I could for free on MY house? Can't the county inspect it when I am done or something like that? Have the licensed contractors do it for a coupla hundred, like I said.. a coupla hundred for a coupla hours of easy work would sound good to them, I am sure. Whooaahhooooow dat wascally wabbit gone dunnit again! Waa haa haa!
comin' your way soon!
comin' your way soon!
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I'm more than capable of doing my own electrical/plumbing, and perfectly happy to have it inspected/criticized by a government official prior to grant of final occupancy.
I would also happily sit for an exam to gain the necessary credentials, and join a union if necessary to practice these skills.
...and apparently neither is an option: if your buddies won't give you an apprenticeship and vouch for 2000 hours' experience, no license for you, not even permission to do work on your own home.
Yeah, that seems fair.
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It has a name ,,,,,, protectionism
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quote:
Sorry to tell you, but I've seen plenty of union work that was not up to code.
Should be blazingly obvious that you can find a lot more amateur work that is not up to code.
Why should an inspector assume that a non-professional knows anything at all,
anything, about installing electrical or plumbing according to code? I would think if some exemption were carved out for amateur electricians or plumbers, the inspection fee should significantly increase as every detail of the installation should be examined, nothing should be assumed as the inspector might with a professional.
And if you want that exemption, feel free to pursue it. This is a governmental situation, you, and every citizen, have ordinary recourse to promote new law and regulations, either working with the governing body or filing suit. It's called progress. Try to complain to Exxon about gas prices or Wall Street for gutting your 401(k).
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I seem to remember the citizens of this County coming together to pass a new law. Something about "law enforcement priorities".
Later, the County prosecutor decided that the law simply didn't apply, so nobody had to bother complying with it.
Anyway, I would create a class of "homeowner license" that could be attached to an owner-builder permit. Pass a basic test on electricity and/or plumbing, show that you're a "skilled amateur", inspector knows what to expect from your project.
Of course this will never happen because "the licensed trades" have more policital clout than "joe owner-builder"...
