billt460
Thread starter
Originally Posted By: 28oz
I know what you mean about the permit. I recently got a permit to build a patio cover. The "inspector" told me to take my plans to a lumber yard to see if it was "OK". After relaying that request to the lumber yard people, they looked at me like I had two heads. They were gracious enough to give me a few pointers, but really only told me what I would need supply wise. The city was, however, very eager to take my fee.
It's all about the dollars, and nothing else. I don't think it was as bad 30 or 40 years ago. But unfortunately as many of today's cities descend into massive amounts of debt, this is what it has evolved into. The whole concept of obtaining building permits, and having building inspections done, was to insure safe and quality construction. And protect the citizen from unscrupulous contractors who did shoddy work. The permit, building codes, and the building inspector was supposed to provide this by acting as a quality control agent, to make sure everything was up to a standard set by the city. Now in many cases they don't even bother.
Laws and codes are worthless unless they can provide some reliable method of enforcing them. Today once the money is collected, they consider the "job" to be finished...... At least as far as they're concerned.
I know what you mean about the permit. I recently got a permit to build a patio cover. The "inspector" told me to take my plans to a lumber yard to see if it was "OK". After relaying that request to the lumber yard people, they looked at me like I had two heads. They were gracious enough to give me a few pointers, but really only told me what I would need supply wise. The city was, however, very eager to take my fee.
It's all about the dollars, and nothing else. I don't think it was as bad 30 or 40 years ago. But unfortunately as many of today's cities descend into massive amounts of debt, this is what it has evolved into. The whole concept of obtaining building permits, and having building inspections done, was to insure safe and quality construction. And protect the citizen from unscrupulous contractors who did shoddy work. The permit, building codes, and the building inspector was supposed to provide this by acting as a quality control agent, to make sure everything was up to a standard set by the city. Now in many cases they don't even bother.
Laws and codes are worthless unless they can provide some reliable method of enforcing them. Today once the money is collected, they consider the "job" to be finished...... At least as far as they're concerned.