Muni Madness:
Navigating the Red Tape
Most people will never venture to the local building department. That's probably a good thing. As professional remodelers we regularly submit ourselves (and our blueprints) to the bureaucratic process of obtaining a building permit, scheduling periodic inspections of a project, and complying with building codes and other regulatory red tape for construction. That, of course, is our job ... and one that we take pride in making efficient and hassle-free for our clients.
To be sure, working through the red tape takes experience, savvy, and patience. Those who know the drill are able to navigate the approvals and inspection process with confidence.
Consider the potential mine field of regulatory issues that most remodeling contractors must map out and manage to make sure their projects are in full compliance and achieve an approved level of health and safety for their clients.
Plan Check. Before a set of blueprints or house plans can be used, the building department must review the drawings to insure compliance with building codes. The plan checker looks at structural design and loads, plumbing, heating, electrical layouts and specifications, and other details in the drawings. If everything is in order, the drawings are approved for construction.
Prior to plan check, we review the drawings and make any adjustments to speed the plan check process. We make sure the plans reflect any new codes and double check the number of smoke alarms and adequate emergency exits (called "egress") that may have changed since the house was initially built. We may also contact subcontractors or building materials suppliers for their input before submitting the plans. Such refinements and attention to detail help avoid "red-lining," or a return of the plans unapproved and marked by the plan checker (in red pen) for necessary changes ... thus delaying the remodeling process.
Permitting. A building permit -- a required document in most municipalities for almost any construction project -- is the document that a building inspector will review and refer to when he or she visits the job site as the project progresses toward completion. The building department will only issue a permit for an approved set of blueprints or plans, and the inspector will rely on the permit and plans on the job site to compare what's drawn (and approved) to what's actually being built. It is imperative, then, to submit a complete and comprehensive set of plans for approval and permitting ... and then follow those plans to the letter to avoid confusion, questions, and potentially costly compliance issues that can stop the job cold until they are resolved.
Inspections. Inspections at key points of a project's construction are necessary to make sure the approved plans are being built as drawn. Professional remodeling contractors have a talent for managing their own work crews as well as the many subcontractors and suppliers hired to do the work and keep the project on schedule. A tight schedule, in turn, reliably and accurately pinpoints those key milestones. This allows a timely call to the inspector, with plenty of time to schedule his or her visit and, once on site, review the job progress and approve it to continue.
Other red tape. Increasingly, all types of construction projects are required to submit reports regarding their environmental impact, energy use, zoning or land-use variances, and other regulatory compliance issues. Professional remodelers are familiar with what's current in this regard, and can shepherd homeowners and their remodeling projects through the red tape to help ensure their dreams become reality.
Warm regards,
