Q. Our deck was built 30 years ago. Now we’re getting ready to sell, and changed the handrails and replaced some boards, but an inspector showed up and gave us a “notice of violation.” We didn’t know a deck needs a permit . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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5/12/16
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Q. Our deck was built 30 years ago by my husband and a contractor/friend. Now we’re getting ready to sell, and changed the handrails and replaced some boards, but when we did this, an inspector showed up and gave us a “notice of violation.”
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By Monte Leeper
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5/6/16
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Q. We’re having problems with the contractor and the architect now that our work has started. The contractor says the plans are incomplete and don’t show . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/28/16
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Q. I have a fence in my front yard and want to replace it with a wall because I live on a main road, and cars have crashed into the fence a few times and I’ve had to replace it. It’s hard to understand that someone would hit your fence, damage property and just drive off . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/21/16
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Q. I’m appalled at the invasion of privacy going on with my property, namely the surveillance that led to a code violation for my backyard shed, fence and pool. I was told . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/15/16
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Q. Sometimes you sound really pessimistic about trusting builders. It has made us very concerned about doing the window replacement, re-siding and roofing we need. Should we interview more than three contractors . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/8/16
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Q. We need more space, and want to use our garage for a family room. Do we need a permit for that? Also, the garage doors need to stay . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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4/1/16
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Q. We’re planning a new kitchen, and I have a kitchen designer and an architect telling me I should replace my new refrigerator because it sticks out 4 inches from the cabinets. I really don’t want to . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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3/25/16
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Q. I’ve been noticing that many houses are being rebuilt, and that even though they’re by different designers, they look the same. In particular, a neighbor built a brand new house, and two years later the next-door neighbor . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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3/11/16
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Q. I was reading about the state of New York trying to get millions of dollars back from storm victims who are raising their homes or even just repairing them. How is it happening that so many people . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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3/4/16
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