Ed, that's what I thought, but I have run into problems like the one with hurricane clips. Maybe, it triggered because I had 56 clips in my hand. It was obvious that I was going to do a whole house.Ed in Tampa wrote:Swampgator
Something is wrong somewhere. Lowes here sell hurricane straps to anyone. Also you don't have to allow any city or state inspector into your house. They can get a court order but they have to show cause for doing it and just wanting to see what you did on this inside is not cause.
As for electricity you can do what you want, but your insurance may not cover you if they can prove the insurance claim was started by what you did. You can not do this is someone else's house unless you have a license.
My son in law was a General Contractor and the only people we licenses were HVAC, Plumber, and Electrician. Everyone else could be from off the street. HOwever on new construction the inspector can come into the house and they do. checking every hurrican clip, every board is nail down and things like that.
Many people hear of the devastation in South Florida with hurricane Antony back in late 90's. What most stories don't tell is a lot of the roof sheating wasn't nailed down on those roofs. When the wind came in it picked up 4x8 sheets of ply that was held down with the tar paper and shingles. I went down there to help and there were hundreds of 4x8 sheets of ply with tar paper and shingles laying all over the place. The builder just laid the sheets on the roof and shingled over them. So to compensate for such idiots Florida lawmakers went nuts.
The new wind codes even dictate the amount of roof overhang. So if you want to build a house with good overhand to shade the house walls you can't it now had to be less than 12 inches. Also trying to get a normal gable end roof inspected is almost impossible. They want all roofs to be hip roofs. Sliding glass doors are hard to get approved if over 6 feet wide and the list goes on and on. Crazy just because some fly by night builder in south florida wanting to save money built a whole communitee hundreds of houses but never nailed down the roof sheating.
Neighbor, next door, had rot on her windows and doors. Armed inspectors came to the house, gave a citation. Then when they returned to inspect the work, they wanted to go in and see how the rest of the house was. So, they checked her wiring and plumbing.
When I had this house re-wired, I could not buy sufficient wiring without a license. I was told over and over that I needed a license to purchase the wiring. So, the electrician purchased all his stuff and brought it to the house. Of course, I wrote the check to cover the cost. LOL What a trip! And, while they were re-wiring, they broke a fluorescent fixture in the kitchen. It took the wife a while to decide on what she wanted for replacement. The electrician told me clearly that I could not legally install the light fixture. Most people with a minimum of handyman know how can do this and it works fine. I sat in meetings of the local city council where contractors did not want homeowners doing anything to their houses. Now they have those laws on the books. But, as you said, unless there is probable cause, they cannot enter and check. But, if anything happens the insurance reps come in and inspect and they will point out that one little project you did and state that is the cause of the problem, therefore, no pay. They tried to stop me from painting my windows. What a crock! I ignored them as there is no hazard to putting paint on wood. I think that the inspector had a friend who was a painting contractor. It is so aggravating and unaffordable. Most of us can't afford an electrician every time we need to change out an outlet, switch or lamp fixture. I do them because I have no insurance. Been doing it since 1956 or so. Had to fix stuff at home as my farming grandparents had no idea how it worked, but as a kid, I figured it out and did it. Never caused a fire or explosion. Guess I'm a lucky one according to the bureaucracy. LOL
Ahhh! Yes, I replaced the boards on my gable ends and the building inspectors didn't like that either. But, it was not structural changes, so they couldn't really stop me. Just harassment. Installed my soffits and they were nosing around again. Did it better than a contractor who did secure pieces to the bridging. So, a good wind blew most of it out. Mine remains and does not move in winds up to 70 mph.
Ok, will call the electrician and see if I can put up my fixture while he watches. LOL:eek:
