All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

@Kyle Myers  

1, You do need gutters.  

2, Cleaning & maintaining them should not be a tenant's responsibility. It's too dangerous.

@Dan B. Why not just hire him to do the work?  He gives you a proposal with a set price and that is his "incentive" to keep costs on target. Why complicate things?

@Manny Cirino  I see a lot of this. Thanks for posting this article. 

 If you are just replacing a toilet or sink and not changing the location, you shouldn't need a plumbing permit. Tiled showers are different because of the pan which needs inspection. 

If you are doing more than 5K in renovation in Raleigh, you are supposed to get a building permit but of course, many people don't. 

 As others have mentioned, permitting is very location specific. 

In your example, in Raleigh, you'd likely need a building, electrical & plumbing permit.  "Building" because you are doing more than $5,000 in renovation work, "Electrical" because replacing the appliances triggers a recent code change regarding how dishwashers must be wired, etc  and "Plumbing" so that the shower pan & drain can be inspected.  

Also in Raleigh, a homeowner may not pull one's own permit for renovation work unless they sign an affidavit attesting that they will occupy the house for at least 12 months after the work is completed.  

Obtaining permits may seem onerous but it really adds very little to the overall cost of the job.  And though the system is imperfect, it does add a measure of protection for all the parties involved. 

@Adam Schneider  May I see your humor permit?    :)

@Yvette Alasti  As the City of Raleigh Inspections Dept.  says, "When are permits required?"  "Pretty much always."  :)

Do you have a specific situation in mind?

@Brett Snodgrass  Your post is like that of a man who complains he can't find a decent girl yet his favorite meeting place is at a bar. 

Decent, honest and truly professional contractors are plentiful. I myself am one and I know many others.  Perhaps you are looking in the wrong places [bar].  It is true that you will pay more for a quality contractor but you will save money and aggravation in the end. 

Another thing: I understand that you're frustrated from past "heartaches" but don't let it make you bitter.  If you do, it will poison the atmosphere for when you do meet a good contractor. 

@Adam Schneider Thanks for the STRONG endorsement (is it ok if I pay you next week?!).   :)

@Jill Rossi  If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I'm in Durham almost every day. 

@Thomas Oakes  Why does it need to be demolished?