I just picked up the "Certificate of Completion" from the parish building inspection office. This completes the process and allows me to live in the house! I'm still going to wait for carpet in the bedrooms before I move in, but that should come very soon. I've already picked out the color, and I need to call for the guys to come out and measure.
I've ordered the bed and nightstands I want for my room. They will come unfinished and the cabinet company (Wood-n-Things) will finish them for me. If that takes longer than the carpet installation, I can still bring my current bed over and sleep in one of the spare rooms until my bedroom is setup.
Showing posts with label inspection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspection. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Passed Final Inspection!
This morning, the parish building inspector signed off on my final inspection!! No silly items to hold me up. I can now go pick up my occupancy certificate.
It's a very happy day!
Also, the window shades were installed today. One shade (that was supposedly cut to size by the Lowe's employees) wasn't cut at all. I need to bring it back.
I've also started searching for the carpet colors I want.
It's a very happy day!
Also, the window shades were installed today. One shade (that was supposedly cut to size by the Lowe's employees) wasn't cut at all. I need to bring it back.
I've also started searching for the carpet colors I want.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ready for Final Inspection
I called the parish yesterday to ask what needs to be completed before my final inspection. The plumber got his done last week, so the overall final is all that's left. I wanted to make sure I knew what's included in the overall final.
After we talked, he said it sounds like I'm ready. They look for final lot grading (for water drainage), and safety things like hand rails on stairs, etc. He said I don't need to have the chain link fence installed, and I don't need to have the flooring finished. Wow, I would have thought that every last detail would be scrutinized. A friend who built in another parish told me they wanted all his interior door knobs installed before they'd pass him on the final.
I still want to cover some items before I call for the inspection. I've got some outlet plates to put over receptacles and stuff like that. But maybe this last inspection won't be as big a deal as I feared.
After we talked, he said it sounds like I'm ready. They look for final lot grading (for water drainage), and safety things like hand rails on stairs, etc. He said I don't need to have the chain link fence installed, and I don't need to have the flooring finished. Wow, I would have thought that every last detail would be scrutinized. A friend who built in another parish told me they wanted all his interior door knobs installed before they'd pass him on the final.
I still want to cover some items before I call for the inspection. I've got some outlet plates to put over receptacles and stuff like that. But maybe this last inspection won't be as big a deal as I feared.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Final Stage Problems: Plumbing
The plumber has worked to finish his stuff today and yesterday (7/30 and 7/31). He's brought two issues to my attention: First, the dishwasher doesn't fit under the counter now that I've tiled inside the alcove it sits in. He says that, with a countertop lip like mine, they usually lay plywood across the cabinet before laying the countertop. This elevates the slab so that the lip doesn't hand down and hinder the opening. I'm meeting with the countertop people to see what they can do to help. In the meantime, I'm researching to see if a shorter dishwasher is even available.
The second problem is that the pressure for the hot water is lower than the cold water in the master bath. Somehow, the flow is constricted. He guesses that the copper tube under the slab was crimped by the slab workers when they dug out the footing walls. The hot water line runs from the attic down into the half bath. Then underground to feed the laundry and then the master bath. He thought the laundry seemed unaffected, but I think it's affected too. In any case, the only solution he can recommend is to branch off the hot water line in the attic and try to bypass the crimped line by coming down another wall and joining up with the system down the line. This means tearing out a strip of sheetrock to install the new line. It looks like I have no choice here.
On the bright side, my spa tub is now installed along with the rest of my toilets. The plumber got his final inspection. So we're good to go on that front.
The second problem is that the pressure for the hot water is lower than the cold water in the master bath. Somehow, the flow is constricted. He guesses that the copper tube under the slab was crimped by the slab workers when they dug out the footing walls. The hot water line runs from the attic down into the half bath. Then underground to feed the laundry and then the master bath. He thought the laundry seemed unaffected, but I think it's affected too. In any case, the only solution he can recommend is to branch off the hot water line in the attic and try to bypass the crimped line by coming down another wall and joining up with the system down the line. This means tearing out a strip of sheetrock to install the new line. It looks like I have no choice here.
On the bright side, my spa tub is now installed along with the rest of my toilets. The plumber got his final inspection. So we're good to go on that front.
Monday, February 9, 2009
More Driveway and Power Meter News
I've been busier since leaving my job than I was for months at my job! Last week and today have been a constant whirlwind.
They're continuing to make progress on the driveway. The photo below is from a couple of days ago. Since then, they've compacted crushed concrete and limestone in the back and down the driveway to the street. And also most of the circle in the front. Then they spread sand in the back and down the driveway to the front of the house. That's what the bricks will lay on, but they didn't start the bricks today like they planned. I'm guessing that the bricks weren't delivered in time. Spotty rain is expected tonight and tomorrow, so I hope they can cover where the sand is before rain does any damage to their setup.
Today, I managed to get some friends over to take some of the dirt before I had to pay to get it hauled off. The driveway guys had to split time between spreading limestone and scooping dirt into trailers with their bobcat. After that, I had time to rush home and eat lunch before going back to meet the plumber and the inspector coming to look at the hot water heater. He passed us, but only after talking like he wasn't going to because I don't have a dryer vent on the outside of the house yet. I have the vent, but I just hadn't installed it yet.
I discovered that the trim kit that came with my microwave is too big for the face of the cabinet it's supposed to go in. The cabinet guy came out today and looked at it. He doesn't see a way to make this piece work with the cabinet. A call to Lowe's and a trip to Home Depot revealed no other types of trim kits. My next step will be to Google for some generic kit that will fit.
Tomorrow morning the surveyors are coming out to take measurements for my "final FEMA certificate". I'm told that it's the same thing as the elevation certificate I already had to get, so I don't know why I need another one. But the parish wants that before they will come inspect for the temporary power meter.
My head hurts from trying to keep up with everything that's going on. But at least it means that progress is being made! I can't imagine having to work on these last few days. I would never have been able to get everything done.
They're continuing to make progress on the driveway. The photo below is from a couple of days ago. Since then, they've compacted crushed concrete and limestone in the back and down the driveway to the street. And also most of the circle in the front. Then they spread sand in the back and down the driveway to the front of the house. That's what the bricks will lay on, but they didn't start the bricks today like they planned. I'm guessing that the bricks weren't delivered in time. Spotty rain is expected tonight and tomorrow, so I hope they can cover where the sand is before rain does any damage to their setup.
Today, I managed to get some friends over to take some of the dirt before I had to pay to get it hauled off. The driveway guys had to split time between spreading limestone and scooping dirt into trailers with their bobcat. After that, I had time to rush home and eat lunch before going back to meet the plumber and the inspector coming to look at the hot water heater. He passed us, but only after talking like he wasn't going to because I don't have a dryer vent on the outside of the house yet. I have the vent, but I just hadn't installed it yet.
I discovered that the trim kit that came with my microwave is too big for the face of the cabinet it's supposed to go in. The cabinet guy came out today and looked at it. He doesn't see a way to make this piece work with the cabinet. A call to Lowe's and a trip to Home Depot revealed no other types of trim kits. My next step will be to Google for some generic kit that will fit.
Tomorrow morning the surveyors are coming out to take measurements for my "final FEMA certificate". I'm told that it's the same thing as the elevation certificate I already had to get, so I don't know why I need another one. But the parish wants that before they will come inspect for the temporary power meter.
My head hurts from trying to keep up with everything that's going on. But at least it means that progress is being made! I can't imagine having to work on these last few days. I would never have been able to get everything done.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
And then, there Was Light... At Least Temporarily
Here's a photo showing off the temporary electrical hookup and the new gutters all at once. The downspouts will come later once the driveway is in.
The mechanical inspector came back today and signed off on his final inspection. I still need to have the final electrical and plumbing inspection, and then the overall final inspection.
The mechanical inspector came back today and signed off on his final inspection. I still need to have the final electrical and plumbing inspection, and then the overall final inspection.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
OK to Close!
As of yesterday, my electrical and framing inspections are both complete and I'm ready to insulate and close in the walls!
When we last looked in on the adventure that the electrical inspection had become, Mr. Inspector was playing the Barney Fife game: making trouble and letting everyone know he could do it because he carries a badge. He failed me for a couple of things and was making a drawn out deal about coming to inspect again. He showed up when the door was unlocked and left claiming it was locked. Then he said he wouldn't be coming out the next day. (We unlocked it early in the morning anyway, just in case.) He didn't come out the whole day, at least up until 3:30 when my friend wrapped up work on the outside trim and left. He locked it up as he left, and I came along later in the evening to find a sticker on the window saying the electrical inspection had passed. So after all that, he passed me without even going inside to confirm the extra work had been done!
That was on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, I called to schedule the framing inspection. The woman said he was available to come that morning if I was ready! So I went over and unlocked the house, and I waited for him. He called soon after to say he was on his way (which in itself is a miracle!). When he got there, he looked around in each room while making some small talk with me. Then he checked "OK to Close" on a piece of paper and handed it to me. Gee, that was easy!
So I updated my insulation guys and my sheetrock guy. I'm trying to schedule the insulation for July 7. That'll give me the long July 4 weekend to finish up stuff I need to do in the outside walls.
I went to the house at 7:30 last night and worked by myself until 9:30. It was cooler in the evening and it was peaceful being there by myself. I could take my time. I usually have my dad helping me. I appreciate having someone to help, but having him there flusters me sometimes, and I feel like I'm babysitting him more than taking my time and thinking things through.
When we last looked in on the adventure that the electrical inspection had become, Mr. Inspector was playing the Barney Fife game: making trouble and letting everyone know he could do it because he carries a badge. He failed me for a couple of things and was making a drawn out deal about coming to inspect again. He showed up when the door was unlocked and left claiming it was locked. Then he said he wouldn't be coming out the next day. (We unlocked it early in the morning anyway, just in case.) He didn't come out the whole day, at least up until 3:30 when my friend wrapped up work on the outside trim and left. He locked it up as he left, and I came along later in the evening to find a sticker on the window saying the electrical inspection had passed. So after all that, he passed me without even going inside to confirm the extra work had been done!
That was on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, I called to schedule the framing inspection. The woman said he was available to come that morning if I was ready! So I went over and unlocked the house, and I waited for him. He called soon after to say he was on his way (which in itself is a miracle!). When he got there, he looked around in each room while making some small talk with me. Then he checked "OK to Close" on a piece of paper and handed it to me. Gee, that was easy!
So I updated my insulation guys and my sheetrock guy. I'm trying to schedule the insulation for July 7. That'll give me the long July 4 weekend to finish up stuff I need to do in the outside walls.
I went to the house at 7:30 last night and worked by myself until 9:30. It was cooler in the evening and it was peaceful being there by myself. I could take my time. I usually have my dad helping me. I appreciate having someone to help, but having him there flusters me sometimes, and I feel like I'm babysitting him more than taking my time and thinking things through.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Electrical Inspector, Round 2
Okay, this guy's starting to get on my last nerve. It was known last week that he was supposed to come by today for a follow-up inspection. I wanted to have the door unlocked early so he'd be able to get in if no one was there. Since I get up around 7:45, I asked my dad to go over and unlock the place at 7AM.
He did that. The door was unlocked and the alarm was turned off at 7:00. My electrician just called at 9:10 to say the inspector claims he went by and the door was locked! Now come on. Either he went by before the sun came up, or he just couldn't get up onto the back patio by himself (my electrician had to help the old guy up last time...) so he's claiming it was locked.
He was given my electrician's number to call in case there was trouble. He didn't call until after he left. Now, I don't know if they're gonna try and charge me for another visit, but I'll fight that notion. They know the place is locked up. They can't come by in the dark of night without calling anyone to meet them and expect it to be open. How unreasonable is that? I even made an effort to have it open before business hours for them. If I'm going to leave it unlocked overnight so he can come before his first cup of coffee, then what's the use of me having a lock on the door?! :(
He did that. The door was unlocked and the alarm was turned off at 7:00. My electrician just called at 9:10 to say the inspector claims he went by and the door was locked! Now come on. Either he went by before the sun came up, or he just couldn't get up onto the back patio by himself (my electrician had to help the old guy up last time...) so he's claiming it was locked.
He was given my electrician's number to call in case there was trouble. He didn't call until after he left. Now, I don't know if they're gonna try and charge me for another visit, but I'll fight that notion. They know the place is locked up. They can't come by in the dark of night without calling anyone to meet them and expect it to be open. How unreasonable is that? I even made an effort to have it open before business hours for them. If I'm going to leave it unlocked overnight so he can come before his first cup of coffee, then what's the use of me having a lock on the door?! :(
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I Just Want to Complete One Thing!
I have a to-do list of items that need to be completed before they insulate. We worked all day Saturday completing most of two items, but there was just a little bit more to be done on both! So we had to come back Monday evening to continue. I did finish one item (lowering all outlets and wood backing for the living room TV), but there's STILL a little more to do with decking the area above the front garage with plywood!
I would feel so much better if I could go over there and finish one project before I left. Everything always takes 10 times longer than I estimate, and there's always one piece of something that we don't have with us in order to complete the job. Oh well, at least I'm making progress. Most of what's left is running last-minute wires someplace or adding more wood blocking behind where sheetrock or viny trim will be.
Speaking of vinyl trim, my friend was planning to come and start that job today. But at the last minute we thought about how acid-washing the bricks would affect the vinyl. So he's waiting an extra day. Yesterday, the brick layers didn't show up. I don't know why. Hopefully, they will be there today to finish the job and do the acid-washing.
The electrical inspection that was scheduled for today got pushed back to tomorrow as well. So it's doubtful that I'll get that and my framing inspection by Friday. That pushes my insulation back again. The sheetrock for the walls that will be sound-proofed is on-site. We're debating whether to do anything to the bowed studs to straighten them until the framing inspection is complete. I don't want to give anyone reason to give me trouble.
I would feel so much better if I could go over there and finish one project before I left. Everything always takes 10 times longer than I estimate, and there's always one piece of something that we don't have with us in order to complete the job. Oh well, at least I'm making progress. Most of what's left is running last-minute wires someplace or adding more wood blocking behind where sheetrock or viny trim will be.
Speaking of vinyl trim, my friend was planning to come and start that job today. But at the last minute we thought about how acid-washing the bricks would affect the vinyl. So he's waiting an extra day. Yesterday, the brick layers didn't show up. I don't know why. Hopefully, they will be there today to finish the job and do the acid-washing.
The electrical inspection that was scheduled for today got pushed back to tomorrow as well. So it's doubtful that I'll get that and my framing inspection by Friday. That pushes my insulation back again. The sheetrock for the walls that will be sound-proofed is on-site. We're debating whether to do anything to the bowed studs to straighten them until the framing inspection is complete. I don't want to give anyone reason to give me trouble.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Updates: Wind-Load Certificate and Flood Vents
I spoke to the building inspector this morning. I'm free to get any engineer I want for the wind load certificate. I'm not tied in to the one who originally stamped my plans. That's a relief, because I found someone to do it for $300 as opposed to the $850 my original engineer wanted. Now I just need to schedule the inspection. The guy told me I have an older version of the certificate which stated compliance with 2003 code. I went by the office today and got the latest one which references the 2006 code.
He also confirmed that I could get around the flood vent requirement if I put a layer of brick down on the garage floor to raise it 2 inches. I'd need to get a new survey done and submit a new elevation certificate to the parish. This should all come out cheaper than installing those ugly flood vents.
Of course, he can't let it go without being a jerk about something. So he told me that I'd need a stamped letter from the engineer certifying that the additional weight of the bricks would be supported by the structure as built! Now come on! It's a GARAGE! I'm already going to be parking a CAR or TRUCK inside it. How can a single layer of bricks make any difference?
He also confirmed that I could get around the flood vent requirement if I put a layer of brick down on the garage floor to raise it 2 inches. I'd need to get a new survey done and submit a new elevation certificate to the parish. This should all come out cheaper than installing those ugly flood vents.
Of course, he can't let it go without being a jerk about something. So he told me that I'd need a stamped letter from the engineer certifying that the additional weight of the bricks would be supported by the structure as built! Now come on! It's a GARAGE! I'm already going to be parking a CAR or TRUCK inside it. How can a single layer of bricks make any difference?
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