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Message
Anyone Build a House Themselves? (Permitting)
Posted on 5/23/22 at 8:43 pm
Posted on 5/23/22 at 8:43 pm
We're trying to be our own builder. We bought a lot (just over 2 acres) in St. George and worked with an architect to draw up the plans. I'll probably start several topics over the next year trying to draw on the wealth of knowledge on this board.
Hopefully I can compile them into a thread later.
Any general recommendations to start? We're having trouble getting the permit office to approve (one thing after another). Step one is the sewer situation. Looks like a Modad is in order.
We'll start by looking at the required documentation for that.
Overall, it just seems like the rules at the permit office change based on whose shift it is.
TL;DR
- any suggestions on how to get a Modad system approved?
- any suggestions on getting permits approved by EBRP permit office?
Hopefully I can compile them into a thread later.
Any general recommendations to start? We're having trouble getting the permit office to approve (one thing after another). Step one is the sewer situation. Looks like a Modad is in order.
We'll start by looking at the required documentation for that.
Overall, it just seems like the rules at the permit office change based on whose shift it is.
TL;DR
- any suggestions on how to get a Modad system approved?
- any suggestions on getting permits approved by EBRP permit office?
3
Posted on 5/23/22 at 8:51 pm to Huck Finn
quote:
Overall, it just seems like the rules at the permit office change based on whose shift it is.
no. Code is code. Blame your designers for not covering all the bases
quote:
- any suggestions on how to get a Modad system approved?
- any suggestions on getting permits approved by EBRP permit office?
so you want the Home/Garden board to be your contractor LOL? This is why you hire a GC if you don’t know what you are doing
you are taking a massive risk with poor drawings and a lack of knowledge as to what is required (and how it is required) in order to gain occupancy of your new house. At minimum hire a project manager who knows what to do
Posted on 5/23/22 at 9:17 pm to cgrand
I agree with cgrand 100%. I’m a builder as well and you’d be silly not at least hire someone with experience to run the job.
Posted on 5/23/22 at 10:51 pm to PaBon
My family has been involved in building several of their homes. There are things we definitely plan to contract out and others that we're comfortable doing ourselves. Honestly, I'm comfortable with most of it.
That said, every house I've dealt with had sewer access already so this wasn't a problem. This is an unimproved lot, so these first couple bridges are ones I'm not familiar with.
And you can say "code is code" (and I agree it should be), but when the permit office doesn't know what forms they need filled out and when you send them exactly what they requested, then they have to ask their boss what to do next, it doesn't inspire confidence.
That said, every house I've dealt with had sewer access already so this wasn't a problem. This is an unimproved lot, so these first couple bridges are ones I'm not familiar with.
And you can say "code is code" (and I agree it should be), but when the permit office doesn't know what forms they need filled out and when you send them exactly what they requested, then they have to ask their boss what to do next, it doesn't inspire confidence.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 4:30 am to Huck Finn
the most valuable thing you pay a contractor for is the delivery of your building permit. It’s not sorcery but you do have to know what they need to see and how they need to see it. There is an entire industry that does nothing but expedite permits.
your drawings should never have been submitted without a compliant sewer plan, as one example. The surest path to permitting hell is to submit incomplete drawings
your drawings should never have been submitted without a compliant sewer plan, as one example. The surest path to permitting hell is to submit incomplete drawings
Posted on 5/24/22 at 7:14 am to cgrand
quote:
the most valuable thing you pay a contractor for is the delivery of your building permit.
I believe that, 100%.
It seems like builders are terribly overwhelmed at the moment. We actually walked this job with a builder about 2 months ago. Haven't gotten the bid yet. Other contractors won't return calls find out about the job (major red flag).
I promise it's not just me trying to be cheap, it's more a mix of wanting to expedite the process and trust issues.
Okay, well after these responses it sounds like the architect we're using needs to rework the package for resubmittal or revision.
Up to this point the conversations we had at the permit office made it seem like they had never seen an unimproved lot before.
They actually told us they would move the permit forward once a plumber had installed the waste system or sewer access (without a permit?).
Posted on 5/24/22 at 7:50 am to Huck Finn
quote:
They actually told us they would move the permit forward once a plumber had installed the waste system or sewer access (without a permit?).
for sewer system only there is no city permit for that. that is regulated by the LaDHH ( LINK). you can call a company such as Ted Hebert, LLC they do nothing but site sewer and treatment plants. you (the owner) will still need to permit the plant thru DHH.
understand...the city permit office doesn't care what your house looks like, what doors you use, what color carpet it has. they only care about whether it is structurally designed correctly and whether site drainage/utilities/etc meet local code and ordinance for location/size/life safety. that's it. in permitting new construction, the site and the structure matter. architectural details do not
Posted on 5/24/22 at 8:12 am to Huck Finn
If you or your wife have Pinterest, search this topic. There are several blogs that give step by step guidance about what permits you need (and the order you need them) for self contracting a build. Of course, things vary by state and parish but it’ll give you an idea of where to begin.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 10:10 am to MonroeTigerstripes
Thanks, y'all!
This is all helpful input.
We'll work on it.
This is all helpful input.
We'll work on it.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 10:36 am to Huck Finn
quote:
any suggestions on getting permits approved by EBRP permit office?
Good. frickin. Luck.
Honestly, calling the office is almost a useless waste of time. The MyGovernmentOnline system is your best friend. Try to talk to the inspectors when they show up - if you can. Save their phone numbers. Most of those guys are knowledgeable about the process, inspections required, etc. But when you run into snags, dealing with the folks in the office is brutal.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 1:01 pm to Huck Finn
Blake Steiner
Deputy Building Official (Privatized now through South Central Planning)
scpdc_blake@brla.gov
He is responsive to email. Was just in a presentation a few weeks ago that he gave on the MGO system. Much better now than it was 5 years ago. You can still get a homeowner permit, but they don't like it. All your sub permits must be licensed contractors though so that could hold up permitting if you don't have them lined up.
Cgrand gave you the answer on your modad. Must be permitted through DHH, once installed, then you can get your building permit. Sewer connection will then be to your existing modad.
I have built 5 of my own houses, 4 in Baton Rouge. I got a homeowner permit for the first 2, but it was easier back then. Since I have a best friend who is a contractor, he was my "contractor" on the 3 other ones so I had no permit issues.
Deputy Building Official (Privatized now through South Central Planning)
scpdc_blake@brla.gov
He is responsive to email. Was just in a presentation a few weeks ago that he gave on the MGO system. Much better now than it was 5 years ago. You can still get a homeowner permit, but they don't like it. All your sub permits must be licensed contractors though so that could hold up permitting if you don't have them lined up.
Cgrand gave you the answer on your modad. Must be permitted through DHH, once installed, then you can get your building permit. Sewer connection will then be to your existing modad.
I have built 5 of my own houses, 4 in Baton Rouge. I got a homeowner permit for the first 2, but it was easier back then. Since I have a best friend who is a contractor, he was my "contractor" on the 3 other ones so I had no permit issues.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 1:07 pm to LSUengr
quote:
You can still get a homeowner permit [. . . . but] all your sub permits must be licensed contractors
This shite pisses me off so much.
I pulled my permits for my outdoor kitchen and pool myself. I was able to pull all sub permits for my pool myself, including electrical and plumbing, but it was a lot of back-and-forth with the office.
I wanted to do more of the work myself for my outdoor kitchen, but I ended up just hiring plumber and electrician to do a lot of it. I still was able to pull additional plumbing permit since I did the plumbing fixtures myself.
But, my gripe is - if I pull the permit, do the work (or arrange for the work to be done) ON MY OWN HOUSE, and pass the necessary inspections, who the hell cares who does the work? I guess it's the trade unions that have this shite locked down so hard? I don't know. No idea.
This post was edited on 5/24/22 at 1:08 pm
Posted on 5/24/22 at 1:22 pm to lnomm34
quote:
I guess it's the trade unions that have this shite locked down so hard?
That is most of it. Some of it is also the fact that most people don't know current code requirements. It stops the inspectors from spending an inordinate amount of time inspecting stuff not close to code.
Luckily again, I had friends/relatives who were licensed. They would have he permit and check my work. If they were good with it, we would call for inspection. I was basically acting as their employee on my house.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 1:30 pm to lnomm34
quote:
I pulled my permits for my outdoor kitchen
I built an "outdoor kitchen" on a cement pad not connected to my house. It was really not more than a fire pit, table and chairs and a free-standing brick counter with a grill and a sink with some cabinets. The sink was supplied water by a hose hooked to the house and it drained to a buried french drain. A builder friend told me it should have been permitted.
What gives the government the authority to tell you that you need to apply and pay money to build a non-living structure on your own property?
Posted on 5/24/22 at 2:36 pm to lnomm34
I did a house addition where I subbed out some of the work and did some myself. I went to the permit office and got all the permits they told me I needed. I called for the inspections when ready. Got ready for final inspection and they told me I didn’t have electrical permit. They told me I would have to remove finished walls to get the electrical inspection……I told them that wasn’t happening. They told me I wouldn’t be able to get electricity turned on…i already had electricity because it was an addition. I told them they could keep their final permit.
Posted on 5/24/22 at 2:57 pm to LSUSports247
quote:
I did a house addition where I subbed out some of the work and did some myself. I went to the permit office and got all the permits they told me I needed. I called for the inspections when ready. Got ready for final inspection and they told me I didn’t have electrical permit. They told me I would have to remove finished walls to get the electrical inspection……I told them that wasn’t happening. They told me I wouldn’t be able to get electricity turned on…i already had electricity because it was an addition. I told them they could keep their final permit.
This brings up a good point.
I just recently closed out my permits for my projects. But, like you, everything was functional and in-use. I wasn't waiting on power release or anything that would stop me from using my outdoor kitchen or pool. But I still wanted everything done properly, so I called in all final inspections, did their little song and dance for final payments, etc., and got them closed.
But what are the implications of an unclosed permit for a property? Would that affect a future sale, I guess?
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