Clearing Hurdles in our Renovation

In my post “Red Tag Means STOP work now!” I described how we had water intrusion in my renovation, and my handyman explored to see where the source was. Sheetrock came down, and the electrician reported us to the building department. We were given a notice to cease work, a “Red Tag,” until we spoke with the building inspector. That’s the background for this post, in which I discuss how we continued to move forward.

Many renovations have obstacles that rehabbers must overcome. This beach-side frame house created an Olympic sport out of Renovation Hurdles.

From the time of the Red Tag, there was one linchpin: The Building Inspector. I called a few times in an attempt to reach our local Building Inspector. I had carefully worded an email with “Before” and “After” photos of the house. I explained to him that we’d been trying very hard to get licensed people to work on the house. I was not intending to conduct un-permitted business.

-Ditched. In a season where our local market is booming, contractors can cherry-pick deals, so licensed workmen regularly booked appointments, and stood me up.

-Wrong Solution. For the roof repairs, one company suggested we put an aluminum ridge cap over the copper roof. What?! We are in a salty environment. Copper roof and aluminum ridge cap, with salt. What are batteries made from, dude? I could imagine a St Elmo’s fire event, making our house glow with blue light.

-Can’t Do It. I have heard more than once that this is a big project, and “We don’t have resources” to handle your renovation. Some electric companies make their cash flow from servicing generators, they told me. Having a crew at my house would divert them from their “bread and butter.” I built a list of the 18 electricians I had called.

-Dominos. Once we attempted to fix an area, such as the water intrusion, then we found a rats’ nest in the kitchen walls. More Sheetrock came out. When we did the termite treatment (placing a big tent over the house) the tugging to remove said termite tent caused unexpected roof damage. We had to install a door, preventing critters from entering the house following termite treatment, and we didn’t yet have a permit.

We went in to speak with the linchpin. I told the Building Inspector that I didn’t plan on putting in more doors than the needful ones until I got plans and a permit. He suggested we knock down the house and build another or two houses on the lot. He also asked us to drop off the plans and the survey so that he could take a look. We did that.

And we were given permission to press on.  But only with licensed individuals.

I’m thankful that I kept a journal and documented each of these hurdles. Overcoming these hurdles is my focus.