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Building Permit?
By: Wayne Coolidge
If you ask me if you need a building permit or not - my default answer is YES.
It is true that you will most likely get a visit from the city appraiser and your taxes might go up. It is also true that it could add a couple of days to the construction schedule while waiting for the needed inspections, but the alternative could be much worse if you get caught without a permit. Did you know if you have electrical wiring installed and it is later discovered that you did so illegally, the inspector has the authority to make you remove the sheetrock so that the wiring can be inspected? Imagine that cost and disruption to your life, especially if the job is already completed and you are living in the space.
Oh, I’ve heard it before. “I’m not worried, they’ll never find out.” Really? Because that reminds me of a TRUE story from many years ago…
John, a good friend and employee of mine at the time, was building a small addition off the back of his mother’s house on weekends. He hired an excavator to dig the hole and a concrete contractor to pour the foundation. The following Saturday, he was out there setting up his tools to begin framing when an elderly neighbor walked into the backyard:
John: “Good morning”
Neighbor: “Good morning. I live next door and I saw all the construction trucks and was just wondering what was going on back here?”
John: “I’m building a small addition to expand my mom’s kitchen”
Neighbor: “Oh, that’s nice. Did you get a permit?”
John: “No, I don’t need a permit. The building inspector will never know what I’m doing back here.”
Neighbor: “Oh, well have a good day”
This went on for the next few Saturdays. The neighbor would come over and see how John was progressing and talk about construction and stuff. After a month or so of these friendly meetings, John finally said, “I apologize, but I never got your name?” “Oh,” said the elderly neighbor, “My name is Russ. I’m the building inspector.”
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Get Your Outdoor Space in Shape
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After the winter season, your outdoor areas may look a little sad and need a sprucing up! Here are some easy ideas to lighten up your outdoors and get it ready for the entertaining season.
Welcome in the season with a splash of color, it’s the time of year to choose bold colors and patterns. You can do this around your front door or patio space. Add an outdoor mat to your front door and liven it up with some potted plants, varying in size and colors. Paint your front door. Choose a color that compliments your house well and gives it a pop of color and focal point. It will instantly add curb appeal and dress up your home.
Make your outdoor seating cozier. Update your cushions, paint or refinish old pieces, or buy some new ones. Keep everything a similar color scheme, or colors that compliment each other. That way, if you have a large gathering, you can put all your seating together. Other times throughout the year, you can keep it separated. If you are lacking space, use chairs or tables that can be folded and stored away when not in use. Tip: garden stools are a great accessory that can double as ottomans, side tables, or plant stands.
It can be difficult to enjoy an outdoor space if you have a neighbor nearby watching you. Add a layer of privacy with outdoor draperies or a screen. They are made to withstand the elements and will dress up your space. Additionally, you can add an outdoor rug to soften the ground underfoot. They are also meant to withstand the elements and can be hosed off if they become too grimy. Pick a complimenting color and it can really tie together your outdoor area.
By changing even just a few items in an area, you can really spice up and brighten your home for spring!
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Building Inspector Kudos
By: Wayne Coolidge
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We were hired by Chris Guerrette to build his new ice cream, chocolate, and candy store named Lickee’s & Chewy’s located in the Dover Cocheco Mills complex. It was 3pm on the Friday before his Saturday morning Grand Opening, which was being heavily promoted. In order to receive the Certificate of Occupancy, we just needed the final signature from Jim Maxfield, the building inspector. During his review, we discovered the fire alarm inspection was never completed after the landlord put in an upgraded fire alarm system in the whole building. Our hearts sank as we realized that it meant no Grand Opening as planned.
We fully expected Mr. Maxfield to wish us ‘good day’ and say, “Call me next week once the fire inspection is done”. But that is NOT what happened. Instead, he turned to the foreman of the fire alarm company and said, “Do you have a smoke machine with you?” which he acknowledged that he did, then Mr. Maxfield continued, “Well, we better get started testing the system”. It was 4pm as he turned and started heading to the first floor of the building, along with representatives from the alarm company, our electrician, and myself.
We spent the next three hours checking every smoke detector on all six floors of that building, making sure they reported back to the panel and the fire station, and checked the emergency lighting. It was just after 7pm when we completed the inspection and he signed the certificate for the grand opening to happen.
Come to find out, he had plans with his wife for 4pm to go away for the weekend. Instead, he stayed and conducted a monotonous, ear piercing alarm test. I was so grateful that I wanted to give him some money for his time or a gift card for him and his wife - something to show our appreciation. I knew all of that would be inappropriate and unethical… instead all I could do was say, “Thank You” and shake his hand.
Other than a handful of people that late afternoon, no one will ever know what kind of unselfish person Mr. Maxfield is and that he put his community before himself. Dover should be proud and impressed with the man who leads the Building Services Department - I know I am!
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Your Spring Cleaning To-Do List
With the arrival of warmer air, you might feel inclined to start purging and spring cleaning your home. To tackle your house all at once can be overwhelming and it may be difficult knowing where to start. Here is a list of 10 simple tasks to work on, that you can complete as you have time.
1. Organize your Tupperware. It will remain a mystery where Tupperware lids disappear to! Take time to match all the containers to their lids and dispose of anything that doesn’t have a partner. Also, rid of anything that is stained or cracked.
2. Sort out condiments in the fridge. Take all the condiments out of your fridge and examine the expiration dates. Toss anything out that is past its prime or that you don’t like. Clean the doors and wipe the bottoms of the containers before replacing them.
3. Go through your utensil jar. This jar should be kept only of utensils you use on a regular basis. If there are items in there that do not get used often, find a different location for them. Also, sort through other utensils that may need replacing or you don’t need double of.
4. Test your pen cup. Grab a piece of paper and test each pen in the cup and keep only those that are in good, working order.
5. Inspect your sock drawer. Go through your sock drawer, making sure each has a match and throw away worn ones. Also, check your laundry area for any that have been missing pairs for a while. You can finally toss them, or use them as rags around the house.
6. Purge shower products. Look at all the products you have in each shower of your home, decide what needs to be replaced or what is not being used.
7. Organize your laundry room. We all have that pile of miscellaneous items we pull out of pockets. Now is the time to find a home for them, tidy up your shelves, donate any unwanted items, and clean all surfaces- including the dryer and washing machine.
8. Sort through your dish towels. Overtime, they become worn and faded. Or possibly, you just have accumulated too many. Keep only what you know you will use, and donate the rest or use the worn ones for cleaning.
9. Purge your magazine collection. Holding onto old magazines is only creating clutter. If there is a specific article you are interested in, copy it or cut it out. Only keep the most recent issue and recycle the rest.
10. Tidy your entryway. As the first point of your home, many things are placed in this area without purpose. Put the miscellaneous items back where they belong. Also, at a change of seasons, coats and accessories will need to be rotated. Grab a tote and place the off season wear aside.
By attacking your spring cleaning one step at a time, you are more likely to be productive in each task and it will add up to big results.
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Test Your Detectors
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It's a good idea to test your safety alarms regularly, and doing so during spring maintenance is a good way to remember. If need be, keep a supply of batteries on hand that you'll only use for your alarms, and replace any alarms that are out of date.
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Fun Suggestion
Make your own concrete planter!
Materials:
-One bag of Quikrete concrete mix
-Water
-Two bowls of your size choice for molds (a larger one for the outside and a smaller one that will be for the soil area inside)
-Non-stick cooking spray
-Rocks or something heavy
-A cork or like item
1. Mix the concrete until it has your desired consistency
2. Spray the molds with non-stick cooking spray. Cover the bottom of the larger bowl with concrete. Push in a cork if you want a drainage hole.
3. Put your smaller bowl on top of the concrete and push down. Fill the small bowl with rocks to keep it in place. Add concrete around the edges until it is the height you want.
4. Let sit for a couple days.
5. Remove the molds, use a rubber mallet to tap out if necessary. Fill with soil and your plant and enjoy!
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