Yesterday while out driving, I stopped behind a city pickup truck bearing a bumper sticker that read “Report Unlicensed Construction”, then gave a phone number. So, here are my thoughts on that!
First though, some background: 1 - We bought our house as a fixer-upper and have made lots of cosmetic improvements to it. Replaced appliances, doors, windows, that type of thing. 2 – My grandparents, I believe, are a great example of the American Dream. My grandfather built their entire house himself; dug the well, constructed the septic tank (!!), the entire house, the whole shebang. (No building permits needed back then I guess – late 40’s early 50’s. They raised 3 kids in that house.)
Soapbox/
So, a few years into living and improving our new house, we notice that the water doesn’t stay hot as long as it should for showers. So, we pack up the munchkin and head over to Sears, ‘cause we’re Kenmore folks, pick out a new water heater, arrange to have it installed since this is one project we don’t have the skills to DIY-it…and find out that the county requires a $50 permit for this type of thing! $50! For a permit! Just so I’m “allowed” to install this cheap new water heater? Whoa! C’mon! Why does the government need to get involved in our water heater replacement anyways?!? Shouldn’t that be a little beyond their scope? And who pays? Citizens.
So, while griping about this with another friend, come to find out, ‘technically’ anytime any improvements are made to your house (including new flooring!), require a permit so that tax registers can be updated. Ahhh….so they can collect more money. Cha-ching!
What happened to freedom? That whole work-hard-to-pursue-the-American-Dream thing? Nah, government must control all.
/soapbox
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