I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard “That isn’t done to code” by other contractors or homeowners. It can be questions about stairs to insulation. You name it, everyone one has an opinion, even building inspectors.

I found a very simple way to conclude the questions with the correct answer. I always have a copy of the current building code close by. In my office it is sitting on my desk ready to be opened and an electronic copy travels easily with me, no matter where I go.

I don’t use it every day or once a week for that matter. But it is the bible for construction in our province and has 99% of the information you require to build properly. Many of the day to day activities of building are burned into my brain, but on the rare occasion questions do arise.

We recently took on a project that had an “order to comply” from the building department inspector. The client had spent thousands of their hard-earned money on the renovation, with another contractor. Because the renovation did not meet minimum code standards, we had to remove 80% of the previous work and do the repairs to the standards of the building code.

One contributor to the failures of building inspections by the city. The inspectors are now highly trained and have a deeper knowledge base then in the past. They require the projects to be built as per the drawings and are far less forgiving if something is missed as was the practice years ago. Ultimately, this works in the favour of the homeowners and reduces the liability for the city.

One of the many issues that needed to be corrected was the stairs leading into the basement. The landing was undersized, and the minimum head room required was also a problem.

If the contractor looked at chapter 9 of the O.B.C. and read the Section 9.8.6. Landings. This story of lost time and money wasted would not need to be told. The most painful part of this story. Drawings and permits were issued for the project and all the contractor had to do was LOOK and FOLLOW THE DRAWINGS !!!!

This issue of non-compliance with the O.B.C. and poor workmanship seams to be a never-ending growing story. I would like to see some sort of regulation be put into place for contractors. Possibly to take a course so they are aware and understand the basics of how the OBC is written. How to navigate within the OBC. To look up the basic minimum standards that govern how to build structures we live and work in. This could save thousands of dollars and time for the poor homeowners who get roped into working with these shoemaker contractors.

Thank goodness the homeowners had a permit for their project and the building inspector stepped in to ensure their home was built correctly. Unfortunately, the homeowners ended up spending over $50,000 to fix the problems caused by their original contractor.

I’m sure your asking yourself “what happened to the shoemaker contractor”? It’s a long story and I’ll save that for another blog.