Free advice from your Central NY Codes Enforcement Officer
A while back, our office received a call from a municipality here in Central NY to drop by a residence, review the construction in progress, and report our findings back to the Codes Enforcement Officer. It seemed that the municipality had received a call from a concerned neighbor of the homeowner.
As I drove up to the residence, I could tell immediately that the construction of the addition was inadequate to support the upcoming snow loads typical of the Mohawk Valley, let alone any occupants. Framing members were GREATLY undersized and structural supports were bearing directly on finished grade with no footing underneath.
After a brief discussion with the homeowner, I suggested that he immediately stop any further work on his addition before spending any more time or money. I let him know that my recommendation to his local Codes Department would be to have the existing work removed in its entirety.
Fortunately, because of a call from a caring neighbor to the Codes Department, the homeowner avoided possible serious injury and the eventual loss of property with the addition’s imminent collapse. This homeowner may never truly appreciate the help that his neighbor had provided.
The upshot is that we strongly encourage homeowners and building owners to contact their local codes department before beginning any project. Codes departments are a terrific resource and they offer their advice FREE! The Code Enforcement Officers that we work with in Central NY are more than happy to review your project before you get started and they will set you on the correct path, saving you both time and money. In the current down turned economy, we can’t afford to do projects twice.
Depending on the location of your residential or non-residential building, you may also be required to obtain approvals from a local Scenic and Historic Commission (such as in Clinton, NY), the State Historic Preservation Office, Health Department or other agency. By engaging these offices early in the design phase of your project, you may be able to gain valuable assistance searching for project funding and setting you on a path toward project success.
The key is to engage these agencies early to gain an understanding of their requirements for your specific project. They have a great deal of experience and are willing to assist you with making your project successful.
Click here for additional New York State Code information: http://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/
As always, call us at 315.737.4416 with any questions you have about your upcoming building projects.
Until next time,
Dan Berkhoudt, AIA, LEED-AP and Tom Davis, P.E.
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