ShareThisBuilding Process 24: Shear and Tie
We discuss the shear walls, hold downs, anchors and structural aspects of the building project.
Building Process Video 22: Roof Trusses
We set roof trusses on the Las Vegas project.
The Owner-Builder Workshop
www.ownerbuilderbook.com The Workshop DVDs are here! Now in digital form with the convenience and usability of DVD you have the Workshop that has helped hundreds of Owner-Builders save millions of dollars. You will join a workshop class of 80 people including many veterans of the process, who make the discussion lively and relevant. You will learn to save money and time and improve your new house, remodel, or addition. -Learn to budget with a spreadsheet for control and savings -How to schedule your project week by week -Finding good subcontractors -How to write agreements that hold up and get results -How to spend your planning time to avoid problems and find savings -Selecting features and finding low-cost upgrades The Set includes 3 DVD’s in triple vinyl Amaray case. Extras including construction documents and electronic elements from The Owner-Builder Book are viewable on DVD and ready to use on computer. Bonus Material: Visits from more than a half dozen industry experts ‘Mark and Elaine Go Shopping’ Attendee comments: “This class gave us the foundation and knowledge to be able to be an owner-builder and the planning structure to start from. MaryAnne Davis “I now have the confidence to be an owner-builder and save money too, thanks to the Smiths.” Allen Davis, Esq. “I was terrified of building until I took this class! Im a homemaker, and a mother of three. I have the skills necessary to do this well. DO IT” Jessica Johnson “As a new home sales professional, I know …
Building Process Video 21: Second Floor Framing
We stand up the walls of the second floor and prepare to set trusses on our Las Vegas building project.
Is it possible to get a building permit for work that was already done?
I am a first-time homeowner in California, and I hired an unlicensed contractor to paint the inside of my condo and to patch up some holes. Since some of the holes required drywall work, I had him move a light receptacle (for a sconce) over a couple of feet in the kitchen. I also had him widen the open doorway (e.g. no door) between the kitchen and the living area, which required the partial removal of a wall.
On the last day of construction, when everything was done, my neighbor found out about my project and told me that I needed to get a permit, and that if I didn’t get one, he would report me. FWIW, I wasn’t trying to cheat the system, and I am now very aware of why permits are required. I’m just a naive first-time home owner who didn’t understand the permitting requirements.
I plan to get a "owner-builder" permit, which allows me to do the work myself. Other types of permits require a licensed contractor, and since the work is already done, I’m not sure what good that would do.
So my questions and options:
1 – Is it possible to get a permit for work already completed? Or will the city fine or penalize me for conducting work without a permit?
2 – Or should I apply for the permit as if the work hasn’t started yet, and hope everything passes inspection? My concern with this option is that the building inspector might require inspections at various stages throughout the building process (i.e. before the doorway was widened, or before the partial removal of a wall for the doorway expansion,…). And again, since the work is already done, I’m worried that it might get me into more trouble.
3 – The least desirable option would be to put everything back the way it was before proceeding with a permit.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks for all the responses so far. In my town, a permit is required for all sorts of minor work, including moving an electrical outlet or removing a small piece of wall. Some inspectors will even insist a permit is required for a sink replacement. I think the regs are a bit vague and open to interpretation.
As for the neighbor, some of your responses had me ROFL. The condo complex I am in had some unit owners doing unpermitted work themselves, which resulted in water damage, structural damage, and electrical fire hazards. In my neighbor’s defense, he’s simply concerned about the well-being of the community. He doesn’t want the HOA to have to pay for someone else’s careless acts. He also mentioned that poorly performed work in one unit can affect property values in the whole complex. So in that respect, I can understand where he’s coming from. If he wanted to, he could have easily reported my activities to the building department before warning me.
Ten Commandments of Owner-Builders DVDs: III. How to Create Your Spreadsheet Budget
ownerbuilderbook.com The biggest bugaboo of owner-builders can be really easy and satisfying building a spreadsheet budget to control your project. Here we show you how to do your spreadsheet in detail. Start with our free budget spreadsheet template downloadable at our Download Gallery in the Bookstore at OwnerBuilderBook.com. We provide you with a tutorial on developing your construction budget on a spreadsheet. Then, using the spreadsheet template, we demo how to build it line by line on computer. It’s amazingly simple, and will take only a few minutes to develop. That spreadsheet will guide your new house, or remodel or addition project and save you lots of money. We estimate that the spreadsheet budget alone will save you 5% of construction costs. It’s that magical! You will gain confidence using a spreadsheet to plan and control your project. Your cost to build doesnt have to be a mystery! Meet a couple who got good at budgeting and who used creative bartering to save a ton on their home. We will tour their new house and listen to their brilliant suggestions to save money when you build. They should know they saved more than 50% of the value of their home through owner-building on a budget. But they didn’t skimp on anything. Check out the high-end features and conveniences in their custom home. Also includes a “1000 Idea” by Mark Smith, author of The Owner-Builder Book. Run Time: 89 minutes ownerbuilderbook.com
Building Process Video 28: Window Installation
The windows are delivered and installed on the Las Vegas project.
Putting a house together from pre-engineered pieces?
Has anyone done this before? What companies are out there to look at? My boyfriend has worked as an assistant General contractor at a few internships, when he graduates in May he will have a degree in construction management and then will work for a home building company as a project manager. We think after a year we should be able to build our own house. I’ve looked at "Owner Builder Solutions" website they seem like a good idea has anyone used them? They say they are not modular or mobile homes. If I use them what else would I need to buy? Thanks
