Building Regulations: A Self-Help Guide For The Owner-Builder

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Beyond those two points, I think I call best help you if I briefly present some specific instances of how other owner-builders accomplished what they wanted from the building inspector. Each tale recounted here is as different as the building inspectors each of the following owner-builders faced . . . and different still from the inspector you'll have to face. But the techniques described might get you thinking of how you'll deal with your own situation.

Les Scher, in his book Finding and Buying Your Place in the Country, relates the following confrontation between his friend Paul and a building inspector:

Many people in the country deal with the myriad bureau cratic hassles, permits, and fees by ignoring them and hoping they don't get caught. A good friend of mine named Paul chose the exact opposite tactic in dealing with his local Build ing Inspector, who was one of the toughest I bare met. When Paul bought his place the largest structure on the land was a big beautiful red barn which he wanted to convert into his family dwelling. Because a barn in the eyes of the law is not meant to be a house, many problems were involved in meeting the requirements of the building codes

Knowing in advance that lie would meet the Building In spector sooner or later, Paul went to his office and told him what he was going to do. He drew up .some fairly, sketchy but basic plans, submitted them for approval, and paid the first part of his fees. Then he began to modify the barn and make it his home. The inspector came to make an inspection and then began appearing ant a regular basic. Each lime he hassled Paul about some aspect of his remodeling job until he really got on Paul's nerves. So Paul decided to give him some of his own medicine.

Any time he began a new part of his remodeling, like a new wall, floor, beam, ceiling, ear fireplace, he called up the Build ing Inspector and asked him what kind of materials he should use, how much he should buy, what kinds of nails or cement he should get, and how he should do the job. After several weeks of constant phone calls, the inspector had had enough. In complete exasperation he told Paul, "Dammit, I'm not your architect or contractor. Stop calling and bothering me." Paul then sent in the rest of his fees and never saw the Building Inspector again.

As long as you know that your house is going to have to be built to code and be inspected by omeone who's being paid with your fees, you might as well get your money's worth. Bug the inspector. Maybe he'll leave you alone. If you're way off in the hills, all he really cares about is getting those fees. As long as nobody is going to see your house and complain about it and his job will not be jeopardized, he will probably leave you

alone.

If you don't like the harass and conquer method, you might be interested in Rex Roberts' suggestions (as set forth in his book, Your Engineered House):

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