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Discussion Forum

What’s needed for a C.O.??

mlawrence17 | Posted in General Discussion on December 6, 2007 11:06am

I know each jurisdiction might be a little different, and I plan on discussing this with my local inspector. But in the meantime I’m trying to compile a list of things that you might not ordinarily think of that would need to be completed before I can receive my Certificate of Occupancy. For instance my inspector mentioned that I need to have trim on the windows/doors and one coat of paint on the walls. What about carpet or tiles on the floor. What about bathrooms? If I’m building a 3 bath home do all three need to be finished and working or do I just need one. How about kitchen cabinets installed? I’m just looking for some items that I need to make sure I ask about. Thanks!

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  1. calvin | Dec 06, 2007 11:23pm | #1

    Stairs, handrails and balcony guard rails installed.

    All electric finaled.  Smoke alarms.

    Steps to entrys finished-no concrete block or bogus home depot cut stringers w/o handrail.

    Siding/roofing and windows finished.

    Drywall complete for fire separation.

    A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    http://www.quittintime.com/

     

  2. Jamie_Buxton | Dec 06, 2007 11:27pm | #2

    It varies a lot from place to place.  For instance, in my town, you must have your landscaping in, including irrigation.  And you must have your exterior finishes complete.

  3. Bowz | Dec 07, 2007 12:27am | #3

    'round this area requires one funtional bathroom, (others don't have to be finished)

    Kitchen sink installed and working. (no cabinet requirement, but kind of tough to install the sink without a cabinet)

    Electrical completed, ( could have just ceramic bulb holders on box, not the finished fixture)

    Septic working, (or sewer hookup)  Well working, (or water hookup)

    All required stairs and rails.

    Working heat system

     

    But your bank may have something to say about the degree the house needs to be finished in order to roll the construction loan into a permanent mortgage. They don't care too much for eternal projects.

    Bowz

     

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Dec 07, 2007 12:33am | #4

      "Kitchen sink installed and working. (no cabinet requirement, but kind of tough to install the sink without a cabinet)"Plywood on sawhorses..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

      1. Bowz | Dec 07, 2007 02:21am | #5

        Plywood on sawhorses.

        That may make it past the inspector, but would never pass the "wife" test.   :)

        Bowz

      2. User avater
        JeffBuck | Dec 07, 2007 02:42am | #7

        not sure what was officially required ...

        but one inspector said we needed a kitchen countertop.

         

        so ... coupla triangle braces were screwed off the wall and the temp kitchen sink was set into that.

        one sheet of ply made for a nice corner CT. the HO's used plastic milk crates underneath as storage cab's.

        Jeff    Buck Construction

         Artistry In Carpentry

             Pittsburgh Pa

  4. bobtim | Dec 07, 2007 02:38am | #6

    House numbers, deck railings, toilet caulked to floor

  5. IdahoDon | Dec 07, 2007 03:22am | #8

    All the inspections need to pass their final, including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, insulation, then a final inspection walkthrough where stairs, handrails, and general safety issues are addressed.  That's about it, although many more thorough inspectors would require paint and trim, or more specifically the gaps need to be sealed to prevent air movement, etc.

    Good building

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  6. User avater
    Matt | Dec 07, 2007 05:21am | #9

    Sorry, but this question is so dependant on what your local inspectors require that I don't see any real point in answering it other than to say that all previous inspections must have past, all safety rails etc must be in place, and the house must be fully weatherproof.

    Of the stuff listed by people above 50% comes under the category of "wouldn't fly here", here being the operative word.

    I'd say your best bet is just to make a list of everything that is not finished and go down the list with someone from your inspections department.

    BTW - when I built this house for my wife and I she said she would help - she didn't, or at least not in the ways that I thought she might - but actually she was a huge help when she said "I'm not moving in over there until it's 100% done".

  7. JerryHill | Dec 07, 2007 05:36am | #10

    The only thing you need here is the county health dept. comes around and checks the septic system before you cover it up!When I built my home(about 10 yrs ago)we moved in when I was still in the dry wall finishing stage........HVAC  running,toilels set (on plywood subfloor),some of the rooms still had 'pig tail 'lights, no hand rail going to the second floor etc.

  8. dovetail97128 | Dec 07, 2007 05:36am | #11

    Here there is no such thing as a "Certificate of Occupancy" for a residence.

    There is for commercial work , but the only thing in residential is your final inspection.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. bobtim | Dec 07, 2007 05:42am | #12

      Must be a regional thing. Here both residential and commerical get COed

    2. hammerhurtsthumb | Dec 07, 2007 06:33am | #13

      The City of Portland just started to issue CO for one and two family dwellings July of this year.

      1. dovetail97128 | Dec 07, 2007 06:43am | #14

        I am sure it won't be long down here either. As of last Oct I asked about it at the county level and was told no. Still had to get things finaled, although the BI office is very lenient about whats needed to let people stay in a place before final. Hot/cold water , electrical final , no real obvious fire and life safety violations. They do it on a case by case basis, screw with them and you will never get a unofficial OK. Here they care less about paint, trim , or any of the niceties. Is it safe, sanitary and do the smoke and Co detectors work is about all.
        They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

        1. hammerhurtsthumb | Dec 07, 2007 08:05am | #15

          It doesn’t change operations much just a piece of paper. Like before: make it watertight, pass all finals, take care of life, fire and safety issues and you are in. The city isn't concerned with casings, other trims and paint, thats the HO. The city explained, in a bulletin, that banks and contractors have been asking for one to use as a marker for the end of a project. It helps in showing substantial completion. I agree.Soon to be found at a Building Dept near you I’m sure.

  9. Hiker | Dec 07, 2007 02:38pm | #16

    Around here you need to have the shower curtain rod up, toilet paper holders at each toilet, all smoke detectors functioning, erosion control addressed (grass growing preferably) and house numbers on the house. 

    1. brownbagg | Dec 07, 2007 05:47pm | #17

      here you got to have a place to sleep, eat and go to the bathroom, and a door on the bathroom . to eat means to cook a meal, sink on sawhouse and microwave passesif guns kill people, then I can blame my misppelled words on my pencil

      Edited 12/7/2007 9:48 am by brownbagg

      1. smslaw | Dec 07, 2007 09:25pm | #18

        Here in tiny town Maine you don't need anything, because they don't issue C/Os.  The only inspections relate to the pitch on the drains.  No electrical, no heating, no framing, etc. inspections are done.  Sort of requires a fair amount of faith in the contractor.  The next town up the hill didn't require a building permit last time I checked.

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