Did you see the Article in the Arizona Republic about the Phoenix City Counsil consideration of am
"Amnesty" for people who have remodeled their homes without permits. (Click here to read it.)
Man I hate it when the City Counsil gets wimpy. The excuse is the limited number of inspectors available to check out the problems. Why, you ask? Principally, it is due to the huge increase in the number of violators.
The team was put in place due to th rising number of unsafe remodels being performed in Phoenix. Ron and I have seen some of these project as we've viewed homes. It can be pretty scary. Very poor wiring, stairs without rails or sidewalls, really bad wiring, water heaters without pressure relief valves, showers without drain pans (the people used plastic trash bags under the tile), additions built without above grade foundations (they become cute wading pools during the monsoons) and much more.
We have seen many homes with sub par remodeling fail inspection reports. These homeowners either have to fix the problems, reduce the price of their home or risk not selling at all. The cost to repair often far exceeds the cost to have done it right in the first place.
The Phoenix City Counsil needs to remember part of their job is
to protect the
public interest. We have code requirements to insure safety. I say "keep tough on quality and building codes." In the long run (something politicians often lack a concern for) we are all better off with safe, well-built homes.
Gene Urban
The Urban Team at Realty Executives
www.UrbanTeamAZ.com
