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DIY home remodeling folks

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FP

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I remodeled our master bathroom and had the whole thing permitted by our city. So far I have had 2 inspections and they found what I consider stupid things to nitpick while completely ignoring things I worry about.

The permit cost me about $600 (about 10% of the entire project cost) and the inspections have been a headache. I talked to a couple of friends and they laughed when I told them I went through the permit process. They said you only really need one if you are adding a new structure or doing some obvious remodeling work (like taking out load bearing walls) etc. Their argument is it is too much of a hassle to get permitted and nobody will ever know the remodel was done. Additionally if someone does call you out on the remodel you can just get an after-the-fact permit that often does not require any opening of walls, etc.

So, how many of you DIY ATOTers get permits for your home improvements?

Also, to anyone who has installed a cast iron tub... Did you have to add any flooring support for the tub? I bought a Kohler 350 pound cast iron tub and installed it according to the rough in guide which didn't mention anything about floor support. The tub is installed on half-inch plywood on top of 2x10 floor joists. One of the joists directly below the tub was notched about 50% by the previous owner. That really worried me but the inspector never mentioned it.

Cliffs:
1. Do you get permits for your DIY home improvements?
2. What are the flooring requirements for a standard cast iron tub?
 
If I am doing outside work...like on the front of the house I will pull a permit.

I have 2 permits hanging in the front window now. They are about 2 years old. I just just keep doing work under them😉
 
What do you have below the tub? Crawlspace? cement slab? I would have prefer to use 3/4 inch plywood instead, but I assume it's too late to change it? If you got a crawlspace underneath, I would support the bottom legs to ease your mind. Can you get a picture of the tub and the flooring it's sitting on?

I would get permits depending on the neighbor situation...they are the one that's going to rat you out 😛
 
Thanks... Sounds like most people don't get permits like I thought.

So, regarding the tub... The tub is installed on the second floor on 2x10 floor joists on top of half-inch subfloor. Directly under the tub is my kitchen 🙂

The tub is ~300 pounds... Adding 30 gallons of water (capacity) and 1 adult I am looking at about 75psf which I think is too much. I read somewhere standard residential floors are built to support 40psf.

The tub is already installed and I have filled it a few times without any problems. I guess I will just call a local structural engineer to find out more info. You would think Kohler would put this information in the installation instructions.
 
I'm a bad boy, I seldom get permits. In my old house I installed a $35K kitchen remodel that I thought they were going to nail me to a wall for when we were going to sell the house, but they never mentioned the fact that we turned three rooms into one room including knocking down a load bearing wall.


As for the tub. Go to the newsgroup alt.home-repair
They'll set you straight.

 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
My city doesn't require permits for that type of thing.
Click to expand...

Does your home owners insurance require any type of permit or inspection on remodel work done?

I just found out our city requires a permit to even replace a fluorescent light housing! :Q
 
Originally posted by: binister
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
My city doesn't require permits for that type of thing.
Click to expand...

Does your home owners insurance require any type of permit or inspection on remodel work done?

I just found out our city requires a permit to even replace a fluorescent light housing! :Q
Click to expand...

Probably because it's electrical... My town requires a permit to change an electric outlet. Yeah.
 
Zero percent, and we have done massive renovations and even poured new slabs and built new structures. Permits are over rated.
 
Originally posted by: binister
I remodeled our master bathroom and had the whole thing permitted by our city. So far I have had 2 inspections and they found what I consider stupid things to nitpick while completely ignoring things I worry about.

The permit cost me about $600 (about 10% of the entire project cost) and the inspections have been a headache. I talked to a couple of friends and they laughed when I told them I went through the permit process. They said you only really need one if you are adding a new structure or doing some obvious remodeling work (like taking out load bearing walls) etc. Their argument is it is too much of a hassle to get permitted and nobody will ever know the remodel was done. Additionally if someone does call you out on the remodel you can just get an after-the-fact permit that often does not require any opening of walls, etc.

So, how many of you DIY ATOTers get permits for your home improvements?

Also, to anyone who has installed a cast iron tub... Did you have to add any flooring support for the tub? I bought a Kohler 350 pound cast iron tub and installed it according to the rough in guide which didn't mention anything about floor support. The tub is installed on half-inch plywood on top of 2x10 floor joists. One of the joists directly below the tub was notched about 50% by the previous owner. That really worried me but the inspector never mentioned it.

Cliffs:
1. Do you get permits for your DIY home improvements?
2. What are the flooring requirements for a standard cast iron tub?
Click to expand...

Working without a permit can come back to haunt you. In CA you have to disclose work done without a permit as a defect. If you don't, and the new owner discovers the work, you can get sued, and you will pay. The other issue around here is insurance. If there is a failure or problem caused by non permitted work the insurance company won't cover it, and they check.
I know a fellow who did a room addition without a permit, he later sold the house, the new owner discovered there was no permit and sued for the full value of the addition. They won.
About the tub, there should never be 50% removed from any bearing member. It might not be an issue if it's a short span or the joists are over sized.

 
Originally posted by: Greenman
Originally posted by: binister
I remodeled our master bathroom and had the whole thing permitted by our city. So far I have had 2 inspections and they found what I consider stupid things to nitpick while completely ignoring things I worry about.

The permit cost me about $600 (about 10% of the entire project cost) and the inspections have been a headache. I talked to a couple of friends and they laughed when I told them I went through the permit process. They said you only really need one if you are adding a new structure or doing some obvious remodeling work (like taking out load bearing walls) etc. Their argument is it is too much of a hassle to get permitted and nobody will ever know the remodel was done. Additionally if someone does call you out on the remodel you can just get an after-the-fact permit that often does not require any opening of walls, etc.

So, how many of you DIY ATOTers get permits for your home improvements?

Also, to anyone who has installed a cast iron tub... Did you have to add any flooring support for the tub? I bought a Kohler 350 pound cast iron tub and installed it according to the rough in guide which didn't mention anything about floor support. The tub is installed on half-inch plywood on top of 2x10 floor joists. One of the joists directly below the tub was notched about 50% by the previous owner. That really worried me but the inspector never mentioned it.

Cliffs:
1. Do you get permits for your DIY home improvements?
2. What are the flooring requirements for a standard cast iron tub?
Click to expand...

Working without a permit can come back to haunt you. In CA you have to disclose work done without a permit as a defect. If you don't, and the new owner discovers the work, you can get sued, and you will pay. The other issue around here is insurance. If there is a failure or problem caused by non permitted work the insurance company won't cover it, and they check.
I know a fellow who did a room addition without a permit, he later sold the house, the new owner discovered there was no permit and sued for the full value of the addition. They won.
About the tub, there should never be 50% removed from any bearing member. It might not be an issue if it's a short span or the joists are over sized.
Click to expand...

Yep, that is what I was told when we first bought our house. I wonder what the statute of limitations on that is. For example, it was obvious the previous owners remodeled the spare bathroom upstairs without a permit. If the thing blows up and floods the house are they liable? How could you prove it was the last owners that did the work and not the owners before them? Very sticky situation...

Regarding the joist... Yeah, I always used the 1/10 rule when notching any joist. The notched joist is a 2x10 16" OC with a span of about 15' so it is pretty long. I know they over engineer houses so it doesn't worry me too much. If the inspector doesn't say anything I won't either 🙂 How would you even fix something like that? Tear up the ceiling the entire span of the joist and sister another one next to it?
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: binister
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
My city doesn't require permits for that type of thing.
Click to expand...

Does your home owners insurance require any type of permit or inspection on remodel work done?

I just found out our city requires a permit to even replace a fluorescent light housing! :Q
Click to expand...

Probably because it's electrical... My town requires a permit to change an electric outlet. Yeah.
Click to expand...

Seriously? Good god....I replaced 8 of them last night in my garage. It took about 20 minutes. 😱
 
I wouldn't get a permit for anything unless absolutely necessary. We got one when we had a fence put in but that ws beacuse we had to and it's obvious. Also had oen for our new furnace because they installers did it. Didn't do it for minor electrical work we had done because the electrician didn't care and neither did I.

basically it's a pain in the ass most of the time but I'd do it for anything MAJOR.
 
Installed a dishwasher (plumbing and electrical) no permit
Installed a decent sized deck, no permit
Remodeling the bathroom, no permit
installed/ing a new driveway, no permit

I would reinforce that tub with 3/4" plywood, it's bound to get wet, and that could be really bad. Imagine your wife if she breaks through the floor in the middle of her bubble bath. No nookie for a month at least.
 
Here is my rule on permits. Will there be anything going on outside the house that will give you away? That includes dumpsters, carpenter work stations, nosy neighbors...

If the answer is no, then no I am not likely to get a permit.

I had a driveway moved: permit
I had a skylight installed: permit
I had a master bedroom/bath remodel done: no permit

note the first two permits were still in my wondow when the third project was done...
 
Permits, like a lot of police, are being turned into money makers for cities. Permits are supposed to be about safety but most cities use them now to check out your hiouse and be able to revalue it, i.e. higher taxs.

But as some have pointed out if you sell your house and you did not get a permit you can't use that upgrade/addon for added value. If you do then you can be sued for that. Also if soemthing breaks insurance compnaies will try anything to get out of paying. If they see you did work without a permit then that will be a good place to not pay a claim.

Also me and my wife just sold out house. When we look at new houses I look at the house well and then pull the permit sheet from the city. If I see soemthing missing you better believe I will use that to my advantage. So your $10,000 upgrade now is worth nothing, maybe even hurts your value. And yea I will make sure the realtor knows so if they cover it up its their job on the line, most will not do that.

So yea I am not a big fan of permits but you have to be careful.
 
W00t... Final inspection is done. Two different inspectors didn't mention the notched joist so I guess I am fine.

I feel better for having the permit but wish it didn't cost so much.
 
The fact that I need a piece of paper from the government to say that I can do work on MY house makes me very angry. ****** you its my house!
 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Permits, like a lot of police, are being turned into money makers for cities. Permits are supposed to be about safety but most cities use them now to check out your hiouse and be able to revalue it, i.e. higher taxs.

But as some have pointed out if you sell your house and you did not get a permit you can't use that upgrade/addon for added value. If you do then you can be sued for that. Also if soemthing breaks insurance compnaies will try anything to get out of paying. If they see you did work without a permit then that will be a good place to not pay a claim.

Also me and my wife just sold out house. When we look at new houses I look at the house well and then pull the permit sheet from the city. If I see soemthing missing you better believe I will use that to my advantage. So your $10,000 upgrade now is worth nothing, maybe even hurts your value. And yea I will make sure the realtor knows so if they cover it up its their job on the line, most will not do that.

So yea I am not a big fan of permits but you have to be careful.
Click to expand...

So you are saying that if someone does not get a permit and makes a $10,000 upgrade to their house, you are going to hold them to that? You sir are an asshat to society...
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Permits, like a lot of police, are being turned into money makers for cities. Permits are supposed to be about safety but most cities use them now to check out your hiouse and be able to revalue it, i.e. higher taxs.

But as some have pointed out if you sell your house and you did not get a permit you can't use that upgrade/addon for added value. If you do then you can be sued for that. Also if soemthing breaks insurance compnaies will try anything to get out of paying. If they see you did work without a permit then that will be a good place to not pay a claim.

Also me and my wife just sold out house. When we look at new houses I look at the house well and then pull the permit sheet from the city. If I see soemthing missing you better believe I will use that to my advantage. So your $10,000 upgrade now is worth nothing, maybe even hurts your value. And yea I will make sure the realtor knows so if they cover it up its their job on the line, most will not do that.

So yea I am not a big fan of permits but you have to be careful.
Click to expand...

So you are saying that if someone does not get a permit and makes a $10,000 upgrade to their house, you are going to hold them to that? You sir are an asshat to society...
Click to expand...


How so. I don;t know what the work is like. I looked at a house where the guy did not get a permit. Someone else bought it and EVERYTHING he did had to be pulled out. Even the roof was really in bad shape when they looked under the panels.

But I guess by your standards the person that bought it should have paid as though it was 100% fine right. Cause when I spend 400K+ I should just take someone at their word. :roll:

 
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