Original Contractor got by?

[Stcloudangler]

So I am in the early process of finishing my basement, when I call the local inspector. He goes through some rigamoro, and then says "Yeah, I will get you a little pamphlet for key things I would look for, like green treated lumber on the floor, etc, etc." Well, I got a little nervous when he starts out with that one, because I know darn well that nothing the building contractor we hired to do our home has green treat on the floor down there!

The load bearing wall, the stairwell, and a laundry room wall all are not treated. Is it possible this is not needed on some homes, or did the contractor get a pass on something?

Sorry for the long post, but I will tell you the rest of the story after replies, thanks.

[Erin_Meyer]

Yeah he got you. Hopefully you can get some revenge. I would tell you that a sawsall with several blades and you can fix this but its not the point. Yes you need treated and galvinized nails. Just one question, did he even anchor into the cement? Good luck and yes this my job when I'm not fishing.

[croixflats]

Don't know if this is correct or not so I'm just repeating this. We had this discussion on another thread. It was stated if the house was newer and poly was under the concrete floor it was ok to use regular pine. May want to look into this.

[Stcloudangler]

I hope your right stcroixflats, I just don't know what to think now. I guess my main question is did the contractor get a pass on this from the inspector? The same inspector or company did the inspection for the house 3 years ago. If he brings up the previous work, I should be able to at least hold him liable for his overlooking of the work... right?

[croixflats]

I would think you would be hold someone liable because there will be records of inspections.

Hopefully it is all on the up and up for you.

[Archerysniper]

If he brings up stuff from the base build I would ask him who had signed the original inspection card and what has changed since then. Remember though this will pi$$ him off and he will be looking for anything to get you on the new permit. Try to talk to him nicely fist and if that fails then start on the original inspection card.

[chasineyes]

I would think you would be hold someone liable because there will be records of inspections.

Hopefully it is all on the up and up for you.

It WONT be the building inspector! I asked this point blank when building my deck and what happens if it collapses becuase of shoddy workmanship and the inspector still signs off. Good luck.

[pike doctor]

Yeah he got you. Hopefully you can get some revenge. I would tell you that a sawsall with several blades and you can fix this but its not the point. Yes you need treated and galvinized nails. Just one question, did he even anchor into the cement? Good luck and yes this my job when I'm not fishing.

Galvinized nails and treated lumber?? The treated lumber eats the galivinized nails. You need to use stainless or some type of ceramic. I would hate to see some of the work that you have done with galivinized and treated.

[Farmboy1]

Ask the inspector to do a courtesy inspection, and ask the question. Do this as soon as possible after you pull the permit, or even before you do it. Tell him it is your understanding that the base plates should be green treated, but it was not completed, and was signed off on in the first place. He may agree with you, or he may want you to do additional work, but you will be better off knowing exactly what he expects and most of the inspectors I know are happy to work with you on items like this and try to make it a win-win situation.

[Stcloudangler]

It WONT be the building inspector! I asked this point blank when building my deck and what happens if it collapses becuase of shoddy workmanship and the inspector still signs off. Good luck.

Well, this is part of the reason I wanted to know, because our builder filed for bankruptcy last year, changed his company name and all that. I guess this is turning out to be a thorn in the side.

I like your idea farmboy and maybe get him out here before hand if he could. Perhaps he can turn another blind eye if thats what really happened.

[Surface Tension]

You have to use treated wood, redwood, or cedar. I doubt you'll find redwood at the plate but maybe cedar was used.

If it ends up you have neither ask the inspector what he wants to see done.

[Tom7227]

Couple of points -

I wouldn't be so sure that the inspector or the local unit of government would end up on the hook. I have a somewhat limited knowledge of the law in the area of municipal liability but I can tell you for sure that it gets pretty complex and fact specific real fast. I would also be willing to bet that there is a pretty decent amount of case law that results in no liability for things missed during an inspection.

Secondly, one poster mentioned that there may be a chance of 'getting by' if the inspector is willing to let it go. Codes and code compliance aren't there for sh--s and giggles. They're in place for the safety of residents. The obvious issue with treated and cement is rot. Seems to me that it is a long term sort of thing since I suspect that non-treated wood could last a long time.

As for the original poster - every builder who is licensed in Minnesota has to have a performance bond. You could start the process to make a claim against the bond. Give some thought to filing a complaint with I think the Commerce Department. May end up just PITW but it's an option.

Myself - I'd get the sawzall and DIY and hope that this was the biggest screw-up that the contractor made.

[pureinsanity]

I wouldn't call it a screw up the contractor made. I am pretty sure the contractor probably knew exactly what he was doing. Putting in the cheap lumber charging you for the expensive treated lumber

[BoxMN]

Pureinsanity... that is good, ha! Not to dis stcloudanglers position at all, that was just funny... Luckily I have had good contractors so far for all my stuff, except the russian's who did my siding, and they were just slow and messy... I agree codes are for reasons, to protect future buyers is key thing I see. Good luck!

[CigarGuy]

Was one a the siding guys named Marcos or something similar to that? Drive a white van-can't think of the half worn off lettering on it?

[Surface Tension]

Since the framing is done, inspection passed, it might end up being one of those "I'm not going to make you tear it out" deals.

Your new permit is not for the framing that is there.

Same is true when you pull a permit for wiring the basement.

They aren't going to make you bring the rest of the house wiring up to code.

The only reason for not letting you get by is because it wasn't covered yet.

[CAMAN]

They aren't going to make you bring the rest of the house wiring up to code

Won't they make you pull all the knob and tube if it is there? Or is that just good practice and not enforcable.

[Stcloudangler]

Since the framing is done, inspection passed, it might end up being one of those "I'm not going to make you tear it out" deals.

Your new permit is not for the framing that is there.

Same is true when you pull a permit for wiring the basement.

They aren't going to make you bring the rest of the house wiring up to code.

The only reason for not letting you get by is because it wasn't covered yet.

Thats a good point, maybe I'm just putting the cart in front of the horse here. It just got me pretty worried when I look around down there and that wasn't done. I would like to hear an explanation for why it might not have been done by him though.

[RPETERSON]

Minnesota State Residential Code Chapter 1309, Section R319 Protection Against Decay #3

[soldoncass]

I believe it is supposed to be treated...IF the framing comes in contact with the concrete. In other words if there is tarpaper, or something similar, between the two , it would also pass inspection. Might want to get a GOOD look, but don't worry about it too much.....Every inspector is different, and since it already passed inspection.....

[Eckie]

When I did my basement -- I did have to do a small portion of the electrical over. Inspector said 'it doesn't matter if it was done incorrectly the first time around -- it needs to be "done right" before I sign off on it'. I see his point, and he was nice, so I didn't mind. But fyi.

[pureinsanity]

because he ripped you off. I know lots of contracts who have gone bankrupt and start a new company. There are several in my home town. Needless to say they aren't getting much local business anymore.

[SFC]

What year was your house built? Alot of older houses have no treated base plates, mine has none. I have done several projects on my house, the inspector is looking at the work Iam doing. If a permit was pulled and inspections passed whats the problem.

[Erin_Meyer]

If you don't know what your doing and just guessing keep your comment to yourself. Go pick up a code book and you'll see approved fasteners.

[pike doctor]

I never said it wasnt an approved fastner. I just had really bad luck with them. You cant honestly tell me that you havent taken something apart held by galvinized nails and not seen where the nails where completely rotted. What do you think happens to some of these decks that collapse? This [PoorWordUsage] is all made in China now and I question how good the zinc plating really is. I know that what you are doing is by the book, but I look at things through my eyes and expect everyone to use stainless cause I know that will last. Sorry for bein tough on ya.