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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

  2. #2
    Eric Shuman's Avatar
    Eric Shuman Guest

    Default Re: The Most Important Pipe in your New House

    Rick,

    Unfortunately, what I have found many times is that the builders will not give the home buyers a copy of the building plans on spec homes, citing something about copyrights or something to that effect. I have had several clients ask for a copy of the plans only to be told "no" by the builder, so my clients will go around the house during construction taking (detailed) digital photos so they will know where the plumbing, electrical, etc is in the walls.

    Although most clients could care less about the plans or how the house is designed, I heard of one client who took the site plans over night and made copies when the builder refused to provide them with a set.

    I understand wanting to copyright your work or what not, but do they really think the average homeowner is going to go into the new home business and start building houses with their design, or sell the design to another builder for some quick cash? I think it's a dumb policy. Perhaps they are concerned that the client will study the plans and realize all of the mistakes and deviations from the original plans that they bargained for.

    Eric


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: The Most Important Pipe in your New House

    Eric, I think you hit the nail on the head, builders don't want to have to explain why the deviate from the plans.
    Also, think of the liability to the builder if the homeowner realizes there was something not done according to the specifications.

    I wonder how much it would cost to get a copy from the city, public records and all?

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  4. #4
    Nolan Kienitz's Avatar
    Nolan Kienitz Guest

    Default Re: The Most Important Pipe in your New House

    Jim,

    When my wife and I moved to Houston over 12 years ago we dealt with a "new production" home.

    Tried everything we could to get copies of the plans. No way in heck was that happening ... privacy, copyright and whatever other excuse could be brought up was brought up.

    No plans on site ... supervisor kept them in his truck.

    I was their worst nightmare during the construction phases ... and I was not inspecting residential at the time !!


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: The Most Important Pipe in your New House

    Quote Originally Posted by Nolan Kienitz View Post
    Tried everything we could to get copies of the plans. No way in heck was that happening ... privacy, copyright and whatever other excuse could be brought up was brought up.
    Go down to the building department and get a copy.

    They *must* provide you a copy, usually at a buck per page for "copying". Once submitted for plan review, "the plans, drawings and specifications" *are now public records* - to which you or anyone else may obtain a copy of them.

    The only catch is that you may not use them for submittal purposes to build from or do anything like that.

    If they give you a hard time, remind them that the plans are "public records", and, as a "member of the public" *YOU* are entitled to obtain a copy - and that you know there will be a "reasonable cost" for doing to.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Garland, TX
    Posts
    652

    Default Re: The Most Important Pipe in your New House

    Rick,

    Yes, it is great advice but it may be easier for the less crafty to just order a plan tube

    Carrying Tubes

    badair http://www.adairinspection.com Garland, TX 75042
    Commercial-Residential-Construction-EIFS-Stucco-ACMV-Infrared Thermography
    life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes...accept the good

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