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  1. rktect 1

    Homeowner as contractor(s)?????

    Yes, the owner needs to be physically performing all work.
  2. rktect 1

    Homeowner as contractor(s)?????

    You should come see the show in this municipality then.
  3. rktect 1

    Homeowner as contractor(s)?????

    Well, its fairly easy actually when it is written into the ordinances. I think some of our viewpoint is that while it may be your home today, whose home is it tomorrow? The average, across America, timeframe any of us owns a single home is 11.9 years. That may be more or less depending on...
  4. rktect 1

    Homeowner as contractor(s)?????

    1. Illinois may be a farm state, but I live and work in a non farm county. Majorly built up suburbia of Chicago. The only farms left are utilized as showrooms for educating the youth of where their food comes from and what a farmer has to do to get us that food. 2. I am not starting with...
  5. rktect 1

    Homeowner as contractor(s)?????

    OK,....... so in Illinois there are only a few specific trades that require a state license. Such as plumber, fire sprinkler or alarm installer, roofer, irrigation contractor. The rest of the trades or contractors city registration varies per municipality. These are usually written into the...
  6. rktect 1

    Why Some Contractors Avoid Permits—and How It Can Leave Homeowners Paying the Price

    After 20 years in inspections, plan reviews, code enforcement and now being a building official for the past 4 years, I run on the assumption that everyone knows to get a permit. Everyone. This city has 12,000 population, roughly 2.5 sq. miles, we place over 150 stop works each year. 8.5x11...
  7. rktect 1

    Permit for New Window and Door

    Is the accessory structure listed in section 105.2 as exempt? Are windows listed in section 105.2 as exempt? Are windows listed in section 308?
  8. rktect 1

    Battle of Ontario

    Go Blackhawks.
  9. rktect 1

    When Existing Buildings Get Renovated, How Much Weight Should We Give the RDP’s Declared Construction Type?

    Very little. I always look up the original plans and any subsequent plans that we hold in our digital archives.
  10. rktect 1

    Interview Questions?

    On the first day of my current job they showed me to my office. My desk top had a couple coffee cup stains on it. The Village Manager came in and saw it and said she would get the desk re-finished. I told her not to worry as in a few days nobody is ever going to be able to see them.
  11. rktect 1

    Interview Questions?

    Well, I think that they were under the assumption that since I have many ICC certifications and am licensed as an architect and that I had 15 years of experience in inspections and plan reviews and another 15 years in the design and building of structures and that I was a board member of my...
  12. rktect 1

    Interview Questions?

    I have been a Building Official for only 3 years now and I have interviewed at about five locations for the position of Building Official in order to land my job. I can tell you that these are not the kinds of questions I have ever been asked in an interview either in person or in paper format.
  13. rktect 1

    Building Permit Card Expiration

    We fixed that issue. The Village about 20 years ago amended the building code, and it has carried over each new adoption, so that each permit is only good for one year after it has been issued. A first extension can be applied for allowing up to six more months to complete the project with no...
  14. rktect 1

    ENT Smurf in Attics

    Not a chance
  15. rktect 1

    The Never-Ending Struggle Against the Building Department: A Contractor’s Lament

    "And don’t even mention the permit process. You'd think we were applying for national security clearance just to build a simple deck. Submit a permit application, and boom—six weeks later, you might hear back if you’re lucky. Meanwhile, the client’s calling us every day asking why it’s taking so...
  16. rktect 1

    Why we need application fees and plan review fees

    We amended our codes to reflect that the Village will collect plan review fees whether or not the permit is issued or not. Failure results in a sort of lien on their property after I have it adjudicated. Not sure if that can work in New England.
  17. rktect 1

    Rafter ties again

    Rafter ties are spaced in an equal amount as the roof rafters. They are not collar ties which are specifically spaced 48" o.c.
  18. rktect 1

    The Out of Control Tipping System in America

    I can't go out to lunch with my inspector. He routinely tips 25-30% no matter what the service or food was like. I'm a 15% tipper if you barely did your job and I don't think I may get sick from the food type of guy but will tip up to 20% when the food is good and service was good. No more...
  19. rktect 1

    Platonism vs. Formalism

    I'm hoping that you don't actually believe that nonsense
  20. rktect 1

    We are now on BlueSky.social

    I dont tweet/X, truth social, bluesky, tik/tok, thread, snap chat or any of that. Maybe I am just too old or maybe with age came wisdom. Not really certain. Good luck.
  21. rktect 1

    Drinking Fountain Substitution

    Its Illinois. Send your request to Felicia Burton as she is the accessibility specialist with the capital development board here. https://cdb.illinois.gov/ She will most likely support the bottled water dispenser. She has provided me documentation that the Illinois accessibility code does...
  22. rktect 1

    Recycle windmill blades

    I think Oceangate was working on something but then...........
  23. rktect 1

    Ceiling Height Requirements in Residential Construction: A Breakdown of Section R305

    I would love some more input on this subject. Just had a call from a contractor who has a remodel project for a home built in the 1950's. Owner simply wants to frame out the exterior walls, insulate, add electrical as per the NEC, add a few supply returns and drywall it up. Ceiling height...
  24. rktect 1

    Marina Comfort Station - Occupancy Classification?

    That is a B use for doing your business. ;)
  25. rktect 1

    North Carolina lawmakers erode building code for years before Helene hit ( WBTV Charlotte )

    People have been cutting corners since Hammurabi died and they started to water down his code. At the end of the day, you get what you paid for and if you are in a lax city or state, well...... bad things could happen but at least when your home floats down the river, you can look at your...
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