Historically it’s pretty quiet this time of year. The town is especially quiet because there really isn’t any snow, at least enough to ride the trails.
That will change, always does.
The code office is typically quiet from about December 10th through the third week in January. This is always a good time to “clean” the office, go through those piles and sort it out, re-organize… you know… those things we all put off to do later.
The number of people that start calling the office for pre-application meetings will depend on how cold and snowy the rest of the winter is.
The true pre-planners already had their pre-application meetings this past fall.
By now they have done the site analysis needed to get permits issued.
This includes things like the new or updated land survey, soil perk and deep test for septic design, wetland delineation if needed, shoreline delineation, base flood hazard elevation determinations (required on all shoreline projects).
These are things that the professionals do. Unless you are an engineer and can legally do these things, your primary job as the property owner is to make sure these things are getting done by others.
Yes, this may seem daunting especially when you thought your job was only to make decisions on the style, size, and layout of your project.
Unless you have hired a general contractor who can handle the entire project from start to finish, including all regulatory permits and requirements, you, the property owner by default are the general contractor.
Are you ready for that?
We have seen those projects that the property owner decided to take the lead role in a major project like the construction of their new home. They had never done anything like that before.
They assumed there would be a huge savings by being the general contractor.
They did not understand different foundations, framing techniques, different materials, proper drainage or grading, the sequence of events, quality work from poor workmanship, plumbing or electrical… let alone the regulatory process.
One house has been going on for three years, and it’s still not done.
At one time the owners were very upset at this office.
They had assumed since we were inspectors we would be on the job every day to see every aspect of progress.
That kind of oversight is called a “clerk-of-the-works” which a real general contractor would have in place automatically.
Any municipal code office by their very nature cannot provide that level of oversight.
We can only verify substantial compliance to the various codes.
And remember, compliance may not be the same as satisfaction. The codes are minimum standards.
So, another year begins.
January and February will be a little quiet. The organized projects will be reaching out to the different regulatory agencies sooner than later.
As March begins, phone calls, walk-in traffic and packages in the mail all increase.
Then April… seems like an anomaly. The weather can be nasty or beautiful… but it usually is so quiet.
Once everyone is done with April, spring vacations are done, snow is almost all gone, and the frost is out of most stone roads its full speed ahead.
Those who pre-planned and have their permits are ready to get started.
Those who did not pre-plan are in a big hurry to get started…
Oops! Do you have your survey? Did the surveyor determine the base flood elevation? Did you get the JIF from APA? Have you hired your engineer to do the required site analysis, deep test and perk tests?
Now is a good time to pay attention to all the regulatory details, not the week you hope to start digging.
Happy New Year everyone.