I had my staircase redone earlier this summer and was very happy with the outcome and the contractor that did the work. However, a 2nd contractor handling a different project just told me they weren’t to code, and that I may have to re-do them.
The first contractor never mentioned that the staircase wasn’t to code and believes that since I was happy with them initially that the transaction is closed. However, I feel swindled since I may have wasted a lot of money on a project that needs to be redone.
Who’s responsible for ensuring that the work complied with local building codes? Do I have recourse for a refund?
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As a first thought, you should verify if the job really does not meet the building code. Do not take the second contractors word for it.
I believe your job must have been done without a permit.
Remember that construction work must have permits.
A permit is a tool that safeguards from a job being done not meeting code.
If there is a problem, the plan reviewers would have caught it and would have required the appropriate changes prior to the permit being issued, therefore it would have complied with construction code standards.
The first step would be to verify that the states are truly not in compliance with the building code. Without knowing the complete scope of the work. ie. what “redone” means it is hard to determine who is responsible for code compliance.
We, as contractors, are required to build things to local codes. This is true weather there is a permit required or not. If a permit is required for a project we are also responsible to make sure one is pulled. This is true whether we ask the customer to obtain it or we do it. I am not aware of any jurisdiction in the country that does not follow the above rules. Finally regarding your project specifically, you can pull your own permit and schedule an inspection with your local building department and find out for sure. The price for the permit in most areas is dependent on the value of the project, so for a set of stairs it shouldn’t be too much. Good Luck!
That should’ve been part permitted by the city meeting that a city inspector was supposed to come in and look at the work performed to let you know if that was passed and done properly now said Contractor should’ve pulled said permit with the city in order to get the the city involved so that would’ve been whoever you contracted Paris with should I had a permit pulled the original contract of who the stairs with with with who you would contact about that
First of all! was a permit pulled for the job? Because the stairs would never be out of code having all documents in hand such as building permit and drawings…
Contractors are responsible to build or remodel up to Code. If General Contractor pulled permits for other trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) under his/her GC account, then both are responsible to comply. Therefore, any remodel or constitution that requires meeting Building Code or licensed trade’s work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural) have to be permitted. If he had permit, then your City/County inspectors would have come to your house and check compliance to your local Code.
I would recommend first measuring your steps risers’ height and threads’ depth and then call local permit office or check local code. Also note that all steps should be the same height and depth. If it’s not within the code or height/depth varies between all steps, then your contractor is liable to fix it, either on his own or through his insurance. He already broke the rule by not obtaining proper permit. Did you have a contract signed? It should outline liability and remedy for insufficient work.
Hope this helps and good luck.
The contractor, with industry knowledge & best practices, will always be the champion of code compliance. But for checks & balances, this is why you always want to go with a licensed contractor that’s using permits & drawings and that is not afraid of local municipality inspections.
Good Morning!
State Certified Contractors are fully responsible for permitting and code compliance. If you hired a licensed and insured contractor, they are responsible for code compliance and permitting.
