RE: Building Plans

[Dennis]

We have a pretty good idea of what we would like to build, i.e floorplan, layout etc. However, we have not yet had these drawings professionally done. I understand that the plans need to be approved and stamped. Once plans are approved, is this approval indefinite or does the approval have a time limit?

Thanks.

[Rob Tucker]

I believe that once the plans are approved by the Building Department the code allows for six months for first inspection and six months for each inspection after that until Final Inspection. Extensions can be granted. This section of the code does not seem to be regularly enforced.

[Dennis]

Thanks Rob. We hope to stop by your business next Friday when we are on island.

Dennis

[Rob Tucker]

Okay. Looking forward to it.

965-1555

[YurtGirl]

I've never heard of the 6 month thing. The paperwork says you can't stop work for more than 120 days or your permit will be canceled, but that's never enforced. Pretty ridiculous that it's even written. There's no time limit per inspection that I've ever come across, you just call in for your scheduled inspections when you are at that point. And be sure you ARE at that point, or some inspectors will charge you for an extra trip.

It never hurts to call up your inspector and ask what they want to see when they show up. Typically, if you pour a slab, you have a foundation inspection, then your rough-in, which is when your structure is up and walls framed(but not covered), so that plumbing and electric can be seen. Then you have final inspection. Plumbing and electric inspections are peppered in around the same times, ground, rough-in or top-out, then final.

Different designs have different components. We've worked with people building very slowly as they could afford, and didn't call for rough-in for 2 years, more even! But no worries when they finally did call for inspection. Others have been like clockwork every 4 months. It's relative. At the codes meeting the other day, they said that there was no limit on the time a permit was open. Odd because I remember seeing a 3 year maximum on several projects. Kona told me a few months ago that they didn't ever enforce and not to worry about it.

But Dennis, are you asking how long the permit is good for or the architect stamp?

[Kapohocat]

Although the code says work needs to progress every 120 days, there is no quantifying description. The code also does not specifically say it expires in 3 years. Most people refer to that because it is on your permit application as "estimated completion date".

Robert worked on one project that had been in progress since 1994. It was finaled sometime in 2006.

I suggest that one of the most important things is to make sure you keep records of what you have done with dates - by receipts, pictures, a blog even. and keep those wet stamped prints clean, dry and readable for as long as your project is uncompleted.

Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management 808 965-9261

Dakineworkers.com

[Dennis]

I guess my question is if I have plans drawn, once they are stamped by the architect is that stamp good indefinitely? i.e. Plans drawn this month, but no plan to build for at least a couple years.

[Rob Tucker]

Not indefinitely. Architects are licensed by the state and their stamps have an expiration date which may or may not be renewed. If the plans are submitted with an expired license then the plans need to be re-stamped by the same or another architect. There is also the point that there can be changes in the code. An architect's stamp from 2009 will not grandfather in a set of plans in 2011 or 2012.

Once the plans are approved by Building and Safety they seem to be almost immortal though.