05-30-2007, 04:42 PM
Let me start by saying that without Kapohocat’s experience, contacts and ability to negotiate for us we would not be where we are today. If you need design, construction, draftsman, architect, subcontractors, permitting or someone to talk story with, she’s the one to use. We used her services for all the above. We also used her man Robb. for new concrete sidewalks, he to rocks.
Long story short – We bought our home with a lanai converted to the master bedroom, a half bath to a full and a closet to a laundry room – all unpermitted. (The roof on the lanai had a final inspection). I must say the material and workmanship on the non permitted section was of good quality. Also, there were two open permits, one for a repair to the slab and one for truss replacement in the carport. (A large tree fell on the house many years ago) When we purchased the house we knew that we would go through the asbuilt permit application so we jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of the Amnesty Program for asbuilt structures.
(Ha, Ha, Ha)
I’m told that, since the Building Department wasn’t consulted about the Amnesty Program and didn’t have any buy-in, they weren’t interested in the programs performance. After drafting the house, plumber and electrician aboard, getting the architect to stamp the plans and write the letter of responsibility, the problems started.
(If you want to know specifics email me and I will elaborate)
So we opted for the simple route and just permitted the conversion under the normal asbuilt application. (Cat’s advice) The difference was about a $160 in permit penalty fees and what seemed to be a more acceptable process for the Building Department. Electric and plumbing inspections were a breeze and the building inspector only asked that one more smoke detector be installed.
We have received our final acceptance from the County, including the two open permits.
We used local contractors for electric and plumbing and, as most of you know, I used Mark Minica (jm_minica from puna web) for my carpentry, whom we highly recommend.
With that said we’re all done for now and it only took 9 months and a couple of bucks. Actually the inspections were completed in a professional and timely manner.
Long story short – We bought our home with a lanai converted to the master bedroom, a half bath to a full and a closet to a laundry room – all unpermitted. (The roof on the lanai had a final inspection). I must say the material and workmanship on the non permitted section was of good quality. Also, there were two open permits, one for a repair to the slab and one for truss replacement in the carport. (A large tree fell on the house many years ago) When we purchased the house we knew that we would go through the asbuilt permit application so we jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of the Amnesty Program for asbuilt structures.
(Ha, Ha, Ha)
I’m told that, since the Building Department wasn’t consulted about the Amnesty Program and didn’t have any buy-in, they weren’t interested in the programs performance. After drafting the house, plumber and electrician aboard, getting the architect to stamp the plans and write the letter of responsibility, the problems started.
(If you want to know specifics email me and I will elaborate)
So we opted for the simple route and just permitted the conversion under the normal asbuilt application. (Cat’s advice) The difference was about a $160 in permit penalty fees and what seemed to be a more acceptable process for the Building Department. Electric and plumbing inspections were a breeze and the building inspector only asked that one more smoke detector be installed.
We have received our final acceptance from the County, including the two open permits.
We used local contractors for electric and plumbing and, as most of you know, I used Mark Minica (jm_minica from puna web) for my carpentry, whom we highly recommend.
With that said we’re all done for now and it only took 9 months and a couple of bucks. Actually the inspections were completed in a professional and timely manner.
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
