ADVICE RATING |
  4.16 Good from 5 votes (82 Visits) |
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Permits and Inspectors |
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by Janeybug  (August 2007) (rank 1st) |
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If you need to obtain a permit for the work you are doing you will be interacting with your county government and depending on your project you will be working with anywhere from one to 8 or more different inspectors from your county. This can be a frustrating experience.
There are a few things you can do to make it a pleasant experience or at lest a tolerable one.
1. Be informed. Just about all the information you need to know about the permits required for your project in your area is online. No need to run down and stand in line to talk to someone who might not care about your project as much as you do. You should be able to print out a list of what permits are needed for your project and how to get them.
2. Have a positive attitude. You are dealing with government here and nothing is going to move fast. Be sure to allow plenty of time for your permits to be approved. Obtaining permits can take a few weeks to a few months depending on how big the county is that you are building in. If you leave it to the last minute then it is certain that jobs will be piling up watitng for permits to be approved and work to be inspected and approved. Some things cannot be done until other things are passed so schedule accordingly.
3. Before you call for an inspection be sure that you go over the check list twice and then go over it again. Nothing makes an inspector more cranky than when you have missed something and he has come out for nothing. In some cases the county will start charging you extra if you are not prepared for them when they show up.
4. Never argue with a county employee or inspector. This is pointless and they will dig their heels in and can make your life miserable. They seem to be a little tougher if you are an owner/builder rather than a contractor but they can also be very helpful. Do not be a “no it all” with your inspector. This will make them cranky.
5. Think positive. I know I said this before but it is most important. Your county government is dealing with hundreds of people on a daily basis just like you. If you are angry and cranky they are not going to be so keen to help you. If you are cheery and not rushed even when you might be frustrated you will have a much better experience.
