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Framing a wall: idiot edition

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SavannahLion:
In rare form I agree with Howard. Permits are a pisser. In my town we have itemized lists for what requires permits.  Ceiling fans require permits,  light fixtures do not.  Stores won't even sell you a water heater without charging the permit fees (gas or electric makes no difference) but gas stoves have no such requirement.

I can see the original intent of permits but like the recycling fees on lumber, electronics, and paint the intent is out the door and it's now an unwarranted tax.

SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2013, 03:59:42 pm ---Yup.... we've got a trailer on our property here.  It isn't "tied down" for insurance reasons.  What that means is, a thin gauge steel wire hasn't been attached to the frame and pounded into the ground, that would serve absolutely no real purpose in a natural disaster compared to the permenant cinder block piers I have it on.  The difference?  Because I don't have it "tied down" it is a temporary structure and is considered a mobile home, even though it's a 12 x 79 trailer.  Once I tie it down, it's a permanent structure and falls under normal home owners insurance. 

Ridiculous.

--- End quote ---

Ive heard the same thing happens in Oregon.  I have friends who use a tractor to pump water which is acceptable but install a well pump and they have to pay higher taxes. I'm told that that state ties property taxes to foundations, so living in trailers is common to keep property taxes lower.

Vigo:
I agree with the above. Permit stuff is a money racket, and I wont get one unless my work is visible from the outside.

I have a 110 year house that I plan on selling soon. It simply needs to be re-shingled, but because of permit code, it would cost me $20,000 to 25,000 to have it done. I have a pretty small house, something like 15 X 80, but code states that the house must have specific rafter width and plywood decking to be to current code. That means if I get a roofer to come in and reshingle, he will be forced to redo the entire top of my house with all new material. I have had about 7 quotes and they all told me the same thing: My roof is sturdier than most modern roofs, but different from modern code standards and therefore would need to be completely replaced if I want new shingles up there.

When I sell the place, I will just drop 8k off the price as a counter offer to "cover the cost" of a new roof.

knave:
In my town if you ask at all, "you need a permit", But you replace something like for like they'll never know. A toilet is a good example. Just like Howard I'm all for a permit if its a safety issue but sometimes it doesn't make any sense.

Howard_Casto:
Yeah I think a lot of the problem lies in the fact that "city planners" or "councilmen" write up this stuff and they don't have a clue what they are talking about in regards to the history of home building.  I think the best example I can give is the fact that modern structural codes are based upon modern lumber and don't make exceptions for old lumber. 

My grandma's house is made out of 100+ old lumber.  First of it uses REAL sized lumber.  A 2x4 is actually 2 inches by 4 inches ect....  Secondly it comes from old growth trees.... back in the day they didn't "farm" the land by planting trees and cutting them down every 30 years or so, you'd cut down a 200+ year old tree and slice it up, because they still had those back then.  I've broken three blades on a saws-all trying to get through a single stud in her house... that's how dense the wood is. 

Yet I have to go by building codes intended for homes built on particle board floors and 1.5 x 3.5 new pine studs that are so flimsy I can drive a screw through them with a manual screw driver. 

It's one of those deals where they should really just make it really hard to get an inspectors license, ensuring only knowledgeable people get in and each house should be inspected on a case by case basis instead of going down a list of pointless technicalities.  Of course that has it's own problems, so I'm not even sure if a reasonable solution exists.

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