New Building codes for south La.

[oceaneering]

I would like to discuss questions about the new building codes in South la.
Act 12 that gov Blanco signed in says that we are in a special hazard area and that certain parishes have to start building up to the 2003 National building codes. The last time I built my house I paid 40.00 for a building permitt and 750.00 to an architech for decent drawings. This time I have all stopped until I can figure all this stuff out. The permitt has increased a lot. It goes off the sqare ft. But mine was about 600.00. And they say I need to get an engineered setof drawings. My plans reviewed by a specialist. I, m hearing prices of 800.00 for some internet company to 6,000.00 for other companies/ engineers. With this special set of drawings the exact way to build the house in accordance with codes is defined. Now I need to hire someone to frame up my house in compliance. Of course its more exspensive for the framming and material and then I have to get the house inspected at different stages during construction. I hear as much as 200.00 per inspection. and as many standard inspections as six. More if needed for 200.00 a piece.
I,m sure some of my info is wrong. Please feel free to correct me.
Basically I think with all that money for reconstruction after the storm. I think they could have hired some inspectors and spent money trainning contractors to build up to the new standard. offered some kind of assistance besides just saying you must build better. Oh by the way the extra cost to build better is not something we will help with. the cost is past on to me.

 

[CharlieTR]

Not sure about any of this but would just like to say that if you get actual bids for 800 and another for $6000, I would hope you report the 6000 bid to the state as gouging. Most states have some serious laws for disaster recovery rip offs. Good Luck! Hope to hear how you make out on this.

 

[JoeR]

I understand your frustration, but let me tell you about my insurance premiums. In 1990, I paid $240/yr for a 65K house. That same house now costs $1200/yr to insure. It was built before hurricane Andrew, so it did not meet any hurricane codes, and had no hurricane straps on the trusses. My new house wich was built in 2001, is 3 times the size of my old house, and costs the same to insure. My current home meets all the 120mph wind ratings. Therefore, some of the new hurricane codes make sense, and the increase in construction costs will eventually even out once the builders figure out their actual costs. Right now, I bet most of the builders are over charging since they really don't know how much it costs to built to the new code. Of course, you are building now, so you are taking a beating for their unknown costs.

As for the increase in inspections rates, I would assume that is intended to force the contractors to fully understand the new code, and not use the inspectors for trial and error. They charge about the same here in FL (Depends on the County), which makes the contractor do the job right the first time. Although, I still think the inspectors are nothing more than a profit center for the County since most of the inspectors seems to miss some important stuff during home inspection.

Good luck,

Joe

 

[oceaneering]

You have some valid points. I,m just frustrated. I have stalled for a minute. I ended up buying some property and moving a trailer on it so I can live on the land while I build. Should start building in the next 2-3 months as I get some of this new code stuff sorted out. Anyway thanks for your response.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm from California and was an unlicensed contractor. I mostly helped out a few guy with the license when they needed help or had more jobs than they could do. Twenty years ago we didn't have much for code. Basic stuff just like anyother place. Then in 1989 we had us a pretty good earthquake and everything changed. Now code is upgraded every year. Sometimes it changes in just a month. It's just about impossible to keep up and when the inpsector shows up, he knows the new changes and goes right to them. We never new until they failed us and I had to make the changes.

After awhile, it just got to be too anoying and most of the people I know either moved away, changed carreers or stoped getting permits and inspections. The big builders are spending rediculous amounts to build homes there now that boggle the mind, and not makeing much on them. If you can get ten percent on a new house, your doing good there.

If I was you and wanted to stay there, build as soon as you can, because the longer you wait, the tougher it will become. They are just getting started on this and expenses will just keep climbing.

If it costs $100 a foot to build a new house, it will be $300 a foot in a matter of time. I've seen it happen in California and expect it to happen there as well.

Good luck,
Eddie