Smoove_B wrote:
In NJ all construction permits are priced as a % of whatever the estimated total cost of construction would be. As a former local official I'm clearly biased, but given the insane things I've seen over the last few years (pandemic related swindles), having local officials involved to make sure contractors aren't cutting corners is necessary more so now than ever.
malchior wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 1:11 pm
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 1:09 pm
malchior wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 12:53 pm
Edit: Just tallied them up - not 10 - roof permit (2013 - open), window replacements (2014 - open), furnace (2019 - open), chimney flue (2019 - open), water heater (2020 - open), new electrical circuit by pool (2021 - open), ev charger and total electrical upgrade (2021 - open). If it was to protect against the contractors...it isn't actually happening.
Don't worry - when you go to sell your house it'll be something that potentially cocks up the offer and/or closing.
And yes, contractor shouldn't get final payment until town gives you the final approval sticker.
The contractors would go broke here.
Funny story. When I was buying this house I got a hint to this. I did an OPRA request on the permits to make sure the pool was permitted. I did this - not the title company. The lawyer said it wasn't something he was worried about (he knows the dreary state of this town most likely). The town couldn't find it. I said there definitely was a pool built in the 80s. They called me a few days later to tell me they found it. They found it was open as well! But then told me not to worry about it. So maybe it'll be a problem but I can't worry about it. It's Chinatown.
This came around again today. I didn't get into it but the first construction inspection was...underwhelming. The inspector came out looked at it for about 10 seconds, said "these guys do great work!", and then engaged in a conversation about the yard/pool.
The deck was completed well over a month ago (June 10th to be exact). The inspector came out about 3 weeks later and met with my wife. Again he looked at it for 10 second, said, "these guys do great work!", talked to her about the yard, and left.
The deck company contacted me because they are struggling to close the permit. So now I am going to call them and remind them that they visited.
That coincidentally coincides with the beginning of my solar project today. 48 panels are sitting in my driveway and the installers are going to be mounting my 17kW system today. They'll be tying into the still uninspected electrical work from last year. I've called the town about 5 times ahead of this. I feel like I might not be getting my money's worth on the inspection process.