WELCOME NEW Members!

[cda]

Hello and thanks for all the interesting subject matter. I am a building inspector in northern CA, new to this side of the counter. Spent most of my life in the trades, in and out and bouncing around. Went to college (twice actually), but not for anything related to this industry. I took a chance applying for this job and so far it's working out, never in my life had I thought "hmm, maybe I'll be an inspector." I look at my job as providing a service, I'm not heavy handed. It surprises me how much of a bad reputation inspectors have. I thought it might be a local thing but I have come to discover that it's pretty universal. I don't know how much of it is just the nature of the people who get this job, or what this job does to people. Every job is an opportunity for me to build a new bridge and gain the trust of the hard working folks who build our community. It's too easy for people to look down and think little of the labor, walk a day in their shoes though... Anyhow, thanks for the welcome, I look forward to participating.

Welcome

1. There are good inspectors and very bad inspectors.
If you do not know the code, you cannot enforce it!!

2. Best advice, use Common Sense.

 

[cda]

Hello and thanks for all the interesting subject matter. I am a building inspector in northern CA, new to this side of the counter. Spent most of my life in the trades, in and out and bouncing around. Went to college (twice actually), but not for anything related to this industry. I took a chance applying for this job and so far it's working out, never in my life had I thought "hmm, maybe I'll be an inspector." I look at my job as providing a service, I'm not heavy handed. It surprises me how much of a bad reputation inspectors have. I thought it might be a local thing but I have come to discover that it's pretty universal. I don't know how much of it is just the nature of the people who get this job, or what this job does to people. Every job is an opportunity for me to build a new bridge and gain the trust of the hard working folks who build our community. It's too easy for people to look down and think little of the labor, walk a day in their shoes though... Anyhow, thanks for the welcome, I look forward to participating.

If you do not mind, please become a forum supporting Sawhorse.

You can post pictures directly from your phone than, when you are in the field and run into something you have never seen!!

 

[Jennifer Johnson]

Hey guys.

I am a 12 year veteran contractor in Dallas. I remember back in the day...

For the past five years my son (and foreman) and I have also been working with building officials, pro contractors, and suppliers to train new contractors at the Construction Trade School in North Dallas. We focus on business start-up, legal issues for contractors, correct building methods, PM, finance, codes and ethics.

With Covid-19 restrictions we moved fully online training in April. That's how I found this forum. I usually avoid them but y'all seem to have some common sense and refer back to the codes and not opinion (as much). I am currently adding to the online training with a focus on cities,permits, inspections and codes for 2021 and doing research on stair codes walk lines for tomorrows video.

I also do consulting to pay the bills, since the on-site training shut down, especially for our older gentlemen contractors in Dallas who were just hit with the online only permit submission. Lol. To see grown men get shy and look at their feet with this new challenge.

Anyway, these are great guys, my brothers in arms, no licensing and a yahoo attitude to rules around here. Love a challenge.

We have trained over 150 new contractors so far (very cool) and now have the national online program. Rather basic training but we teach form a contractors point of view and translate the code into layman's terms like Spark notes does for Shakespeare.

We are huge fans of working with the city, encouraging the guys to build better, don't cut corners, be proud of your work and introducing them to the inspectors before they hear negative talk : ) Whatever it takes to simplify the process and make more income to support their family.

Great to be here and looking forward to the input.

Jennifer

 

[cda]

Hey guys.

I am a 12 year veteran contractor in Dallas. I remember back in the day...

For the past five years my son (and foreman) and I have also been working with building officials, pro contractors, and suppliers to train new contractors at the Construction Trade School in North Dallas. We focus on business start-up, legal issues for contractors, correct building methods, PM, finance, codes and ethics.

With Covid-19 restrictions we moved fully online training in April. That's how I found this forum. I usually avoid them but y'all seem to have some common sense and refer back to the codes and not opinion (as much). I am currently adding to the online training with a focus on cities,permits, inspections and codes for 2021 and doing research on stair codes walk lines for tomorrows video.

I also do consulting to pay the bills, since the on-site training shut down, especially for our older gentlemen contractors in Dallas who were just hit with the online only permit submission. Lol. To see grown men get shy and look at their feet with this new challenge.

Anyway, these are great guys, my brothers in arms, no licensing and a yahoo attitude to rules around here. Love a challenge.

We have trained over 150 new contractors so far (very cool) and now have the national online program. Rather basic training but we teach form a contractors point of view and translate the code into layman's terms like Spark notes does for Shakespeare.

We are huge fans of working with the city, encouraging the guys to build better, don't cut corners, be proud of your work and introducing them to the inspectors before they hear negative talk : ) Whatever it takes to simplify the process and make more income to support their family.

Great to be here and looking forward to the input.

Jennifer

Not sure what you are looking for

 

[steveray]

Hey guys.

I am a 12 year veteran contractor in Dallas. I remember back in the day...

For the past five years my son (and foreman) and I have also been working with building officials, pro contractors, and suppliers to train new contractors at the Construction Trade School in North Dallas. We focus on business start-up, legal issues for contractors, correct building methods, PM, finance, codes and ethics.

With Covid-19 restrictions we moved fully online training in April. That's how I found this forum. I usually avoid them but y'all seem to have some common sense and refer back to the codes and not opinion (as much). I am currently adding to the online training with a focus on cities,permits, inspections and codes for 2021 and doing research on stair codes walk lines for tomorrows video.

I also do consulting to pay the bills, since the on-site training shut down, especially for our older gentlemen contractors in Dallas who were just hit with the online only permit submission. Lol. To see grown men get shy and look at their feet with this new challenge.

Anyway, these are great guys, my brothers in arms, no licensing and a yahoo attitude to rules around here. Love a challenge.

We have trained over 150 new contractors so far (very cool) and now have the national online program. Rather basic training but we teach form a contractors point of view and translate the code into layman's terms like Spark notes does for Shakespeare.

We are huge fans of working with the city, encouraging the guys to build better, don't cut corners, be proud of your work and introducing them to the inspectors before they hear negative talk : ) Whatever it takes to simplify the process and make more income to support their family.

Great to be here and looking forward to the input.

Jennifer

We are happy for all input from all sides...And Welcome! My sister lived in Colleyville until about 2 years ago...DFW area amazes me....

 

[Jennifer Johnson]

Not sure what you are looking for

Nothing at all. An observer. I read through the threads to get concepts.

 

[Pcinspector1]

Jennifer,

Are your programs in Spanish as well as English?

 

[Jennifer Johnson]

Jennifer,

Are your programs in Spanish as well as English?

English.

 

[design2good]

Hi All,

I'm really enjoying reading these forums. What a fantastic wealth of knowledge! I have to admit some of this good stuff made me laugh out loud a couple of times too (like the Mark Twain "never argue with stupid people" quote).

I've worked for an office furniture manufacturer for over 30 years. I started out testing products to UL standards, was asked to help solve problems with making product compliant for NRTL listing, and eventually got pulled into product compliance issues with building, fire, and electrical codes in the U.S. and Canada. I've been "pulled through some knot holes" and recognize this stuff is far from simple. Frankly, I don't know how code officials cover so many wide ranging topics so well, especially when it keeps changing.

As a newbie, is it better to post a question at the end of an existing thread (if related) or do people on that thread not see new posts if it's been over a year or so?

 

[cda]

Hi All,

I'm really enjoying reading these forums. What a fantastic wealth of knowledge! I have to admit some of this good stuff made me laugh out loud a couple of times too (like the Mark Twain "never argue with stupid people" quote).

I've worked for an office furniture manufacturer for over 30 years. I started out testing products to UL standards, was asked to help solve problems with making product compliant for NRTL listing, and eventually got pulled into product compliance issues with building, fire, and electrical codes in the U.S. and Canada. I've been "pulled through some knot holes" and recognize this stuff is far from simple. Frankly, I don't know how code officials cover so many wide ranging topics so well, especially when it keeps changing.

As a newbie, is it better to post a question at the end of an existing thread (if related) or do people on that thread not see new posts if it's been over a year or so?

Welcome, Kind of better to start a new thread

 

[Creativewan]

To All Members:

With a few changes we should see an increase in new members. It would be great to have new members post and tell us just what they do and give us the opportunity to welcome them into the forum. Please leave comments below.

Hello! New member here. I am a virtual customer service agent who is about to buy her first fix-it-upper property in Detroit. The closing specialist is saying the half bathroom in the basement (consisting of a sink and toilet) is considered a full bathroom by DLB. Everything I've read and everyone I've asked has said, in essence, if there's 2 out of 4 in the bathroom, it is considered a half bath. I do not know what codes to present to them to counter their assessment (they take $$$ if a property is incorrectly listed (listing says 2 bathrooms) . Any Advice??? Have a Wonderful Day!
P.S.
The ads are somewhat off-putting, but I can get around them to ask questions I am helping someone can answer here. I understand this is free to the public.

 

[Creativewan]

Hello! New member here. I am a virtual customer service agent who is about to buy her first fix-it-upper property in Detroit. The closing specialist is saying the half bathroom in the basement (consisting of a sink and toilet) is considered a full bathroom by DLB. Everything I've read and everyone I've asked has said, in essence, if there's 2 out of 4 in the bathroom, it is considered a half bath. I do not know what codes to present to them to counter their assessment (they take $$$ if a property is incorrectly listed (listing says 2 bathrooms) . Any Advice??? Have a Wonderful Day!
P.S.
The ads are somewhat off-putting, but I can get around them to ask questions I am helping someone can answer here. I understand this is free to the public.

Sorry, I do not know how to start a new thread...

 

[cda]

Sorry, I do not know how to start a new thread...

Pick a category that best fits.

At the top it has box for title

Than a box below it for your comments.

Forum supporting Sawhorses can direct post pictures!!

See picture start where it says thread title

 

[cda]

Hello! New member here. I am a virtual customer service agent who is about to buy her first fix-it-upper property in Detroit. The closing specialist is saying the half bathroom in the basement (consisting of a sink and toilet) is considered a full bathroom by DLB. Everything I've read and everyone I've asked has said, in essence, if there's 2 out of 4 in the bathroom, it is considered a half bath. I do not know what codes to present to them to counter their assessment (they take $$$ if a property is incorrectly listed (listing says 2 bathrooms) . Any Advice??? Have a Wonderful Day!
P.S.
The ads are somewhat off-putting, but I can get around them to ask questions I am helping someone can answer here. I understand this is free to the public.

Ask for definitions from them

considered a full bathroom by DLB

They have to define terms

Get a copy of them open records request if needed

 

[ICE]

Nothing at all. An observer. I read through the threads to get concepts.

Hi All,

I'm really enjoying reading these forums. What a fantastic wealth of knowledge! I have to admit some of this good stuff made me laugh out loud a couple of times too (like the Mark Twain "never argue with stupid people" quote).

I've worked for an office furniture manufacturer for over 30 years. I started out testing products to UL standards, was asked to help solve problems with making product compliant for NRTL listing, and eventually got pulled into product compliance issues with building, fire, and electrical codes in the U.S. and Canada. I've been "pulled through some knot holes" and recognize this stuff is far from simple. Frankly, I don't know how code officials cover so many wide ranging topics so well, especially when it keeps changing.

As a newbie, is it better to post a question at the end of an existing thread (if related) or do people on that thread not see new posts if it's been over a year or so?

If you post on a thread it rises to the top no matter how old it is.

 

[Creativewan]

Ask for definitions from them

considered a full bathroom by DLB

They have to define terms

Get a copy of them open records request if needed

Thank you for your assistance cda! I have created a thread under Residential Structures (closest I could find to my subject). Thanks again...

 

[fatboy]

@ Creativewan, the building/plumbing codes do not describe a 1/2, or 3/4 bath, those are merely fixtures that are regulated by the code.

But yes, sink and toilet, in real estate jargon, would be described as a 1/2 bath, add a shower, you get to a 3/4 bath, add the tub, or tub/shower for a full.

5-piece would be double sinks, toilet, stand alone shower, and a tub, typically a jetted, more in the old days, now a soaker.

 

[MD&E]

Hi all, I am an engineer in Ontario, Canada. I’ve just started my own company focused on residential and small building design. This is a great forum and I’ve already gotten some excellent assistance. Looking forward to getting and sharing more in the future!

 

[fatboy]

Welcome MD&E!

Glad you came out and joined us. We have a few northern neighbors in here, so you should be able to find some opinions from your perspective.

Join in whenever!

 

[happy]

Hi everyone. I never expected to be on a board like this, but I am a new homeowner with various issues in a restricted deed community and trying to learn codes and standards for myself since municipal officials have not explained themselves well and it leads to further questions. I've gotten some really good answers to my questions back very quickly here. Thanks everyone. I hope in the future I can contribute to others with questions related to affordable housing.