Got a call the other day to do a foundation as-built on a lot that we prepared a plot plan for last year. The plan was for additions to both sides of the existing house and a breezeway in the front. So the crew goes out, finds the new foundations on the sides of the house, a deck under construction on the back of the house, and no addition built on the front. They shoot and measure up both the existing additions and the deck.
So I prepare the Foundation Cert showing the additions built and the deck under construction and the client comes by today to pick it up. Turns out, surprise surprise, he hasn't pulled a permit for the deck. Asks me to take it off the plan. I refuse stating that I have to show all the improvements on the lot at the time of the survey. He then asks me to show the proposed addition that he didn’t build yet on the front of the house. I again, I refuse stating that I cannot show an addition that isn’t built yet on an as-built plan. Things started going downhill from there.
Certainly, we show certain elements on a plan depending on the purpose of the plan. This plan was a "Foundation Certification" for the building inspector. However, I have always felt it necessary to show all other "structures" on the lot for this type of plan since the purpose of the plan is for ensuring zoning compliance.
For a Mortgage inspection plan the following must be shown, under 250 CMR 6.05 (2)(c)5 & 7,
5.Improvements to the tract(s) with proper offsets to permanent and accessory structures shall be shown with sufficient accuracy for the purpose of the inspection.
7.The relationship of the improvements to the property lines shall be shown by measurement with a precision compatible with the particular problem involved.
The town's plot plan regulations also state that all structures shall be shown on these plans and a deck constitutes a structure. How do you show one structure, but not another?
Does anyone here show only foundations on these certs, and ignore things like decks? Seems crazy to me, but I'm just a frigin kid who doesn’t know what he's doing.
-V
show it all. he will get his deck permit soon enough.
be sure to label foundation.
when the guy adds a 2' cantilever into the setback, you can laugh it up with the building official.
you can show the front addition. label it proposed addition. make the pen weight different.
personally, i offer to bend and break the law to every client who asks for it to be bent or broken. they never accept when i tell them the fee will be my anticipated earnings for the remainder of my career. call it my early retirement program.
Hey VH, As a crew chief I would locate ALL improvements on a lot. Finished or under construction, and note that in my field notes. But I have seen where clients don't want certain things shown. That to me is up to the one stamping the plan. If it was my stamp I'd show everything. The truth shall set you free. Just my 0.04'
I always tell my crew chief, if there's any doubt, locate it. He did exactly what he should have done. Chances are if the building inspector went out for his site visit, and the deck wasnt shown, we would have had to make another visit anyway.
-V
For a foundation as-built, I always prepare it as a "Certified Plot Plan" showing all existing structures (including steps, decks, etc.) as well as the new foundation.
I also add one or two photos to the plan showing as much of the new foundation as possible. This shows exactly what I am certifying and helps to avoid the "you forgot to show the deck/steps/overhang" comments later on.
For the proposed addition, I prepare a separate "Proposed Plot Plan", usually with the certifications removed.
I used to occasionally have homeowners ask for "just the distance to the lot line. I don't need a survey or a plan." One even wanted to just show the new addition, not the old house (with all the previous illegal additions...).
Jeff
:good:
Jeff, the addition he wanted me to show was already shown on the proposed plot plan. He realized when picking up the plan, that he jumped the gun and called us for the cert too early, before he had finished all the additions. He wanted me to show the proposed addition on the asbuilt so he wouldnt have to have us return for an actual as-built.
Looking at my post, I really didnt elaborate on that part of it. Sorryboutthat.
-V
Oh! That was sneaky...
I once pinned a foundation for a builder, and he wanted me to prepare the as-built without locating the foundation "because we followed all your nails." I was young and naive then, and actually considered doing as he asked, until I found a whole other wall that was not on the plans and we had not pinned!