Call and talk with your local building enforcement officer and/or inspector.
Ask questions. I have never heard of a light being *required* in a shower,
but then local laws may vary from general code. I'd also talk with more
than one contractor. Again, ask questions.
Also helpful, is a book put out by Black & Decker called Codes for
Homeowners by Bruse Barker. It distills down, and explains in plain English
electrical, mechanical, plumbing and building codes. It's $24.99, and I
bought my copy at Home Depot. I've also seen it at Lowe's, and you should
have no trouble finding it on Amazon. While it doesn't give the in-depth
details, and doesn't cover local codes (which may vary from place to place),
it does give you enough information to be able to ask informed questions,
and a pretty good heads up when someone's talking BS.
Again, contact your code officer(s) and/or inspectors. Talk with them.
They're the ones which are going to have the final say on any/all work done.
And don't forget permits. Your code officer(s)/inspectors will be able to
tell you what you need, if anything. These are the guys you want on your
side. And if your contractor says you don't need a permit, verify that. If
he says you don't and you find out you *do*, then run, don't walk, away as
fast as you can.
Where I live in WNY, electrical permits are separate from plumbing permits
are separate from building permits are separate from remodel permits. My
local building codes/permits allow for a 'whole house remodel' permit, which
covers most everything *except* for electrical, plumbing and major
structural and foundation changes/additions. I even had to have a separate
demolition permit to pull down a collapsing cement block garage. Your
contractor may, or may not, know what permits are required; your local
inspector(s)/code officers *will* know.
Hope this helps.
Sandaidh
sandaidh@atlanticbb.net
(who is pulling a whole house remodel permit for her "rehab" house)
No comments:
Post a Comment