TOPIC: A Front Hose Bib By Any Other Name Squirts Just As Sweet

Jay, I am beginning to think that I am the only one around here that pulls permits.

Example of my own neighbors,

A) Build a pool and deck direct uner the electrical lines, I see the kids out there cleaning in the ummer with a metal skimmer. It is well below the 20.5 feet requirment.

has portion of exterior excavated, no permit.

Did a house in Cleveland on Sunday, my client stated whn booking that it had a finished basement with bedrooms, I explained about safety egress and permits. My clients listened and called the building Dept. The lady that answered laughed when the asked about permits.

This is the house with the 2nd kitchen buitl in front of the electrical panels and no safety egress in bedrooms and it had a gas unvented space heater and a heck of a lot more issues.

If this would of be done with permits and by qualified professionals there should be no issues.

I seem to get funny looks when I ask for history of permits or add this in my reports.

Here is how I warn my clients when that happens.  They move in knowing that the basement or whatever was remodeled and finished without permits.  One day an outlet starts a fire and the house burns down.  The insurance company, of course, investigates the fire and determines that an outlet in a finished space they didn't know about, or wasn't installed by a professional, or wasn't done with a permit and no Occupancy Permit was issued.  They determine that there were dangerous conditions present, all of which contributed to the demise of the property.  What do they do?!  They deny the claim!  Then my clients have a mortgage and no house.  That's a big deal in anyone's book.

Often times the insurance company takes the policy information off the public record.  If there is no record of a finished basement, or whatever (!), the policy does not cover it.  The people are screwed. 

I actually have that printed on my report when I discover things that aren't finished with a permit.  So they receive a report that says that.  No excuses if there is a problem down the line. 

Here is how I warn my clients when that happens.  They move in knowing that the basement or whatever was remodeled and finished without permits.  One day an outlet starts a fire and the house burns down.  The insurance company, of course, investigates the fire and determines that an outlet in a finished space they didn't know about, or wasn't installed by a professional, or wasn't done with a permit and no Occupancy Permit was issued.  They determine that there were dangerous conditions present, all of which contributed to the demise of the property.  What do they do?!  They deny the claim!  Then my clients have a mortgage and no house.  That's a big deal in anyone's book.

Often times the insurance company takes the policy information off the public record.  If there is no record of a finished basement, or whatever (!), the policy does not cover it.  The people are screwed. 

I actually have that printed on my report when I discover things that aren't finished with a permit.  So they receive a report that says that.  No excuses if there is a problem down the line. 

That is great advice Jay about having it in the report like that.  I like it.

Bin deah fo yeahs...

Would you mind sharing your verbiage that you use pertaining to permits.

It's on a different computer.  I will get it out and put it here.  Might take a while - I have some things to do tonight...