Full Re-pipe - no permit or inspection

[Rsmith99]

Last week my house flooded due to a broken polybutylene pipe under the slab floor.

Not wanting to risk another flood, I hired Repipe Specialists to Repipe my entire house.

When the plumber finished, he said the Sheetrock repair man would be there the next day. I asked when the inspector would be there. He said “we don’t pull permits or have inspections. If you want an inspection you will have to file it and pay for it yourself.” He said “ if they find anything wrong with you hot water tank, or your central heat, you will have to pay to have those fixed “. Basically, trying to scare me.

Does all this sound fishy? What does a permit cost?

Thanks!

 

[Jeff H Young]

Last week my house flooded due to a broken polybutylene pipe under the slab floor.

Not wanting to risk another flood, I hired Repipe Specialists to Repipe my entire house.

When the plumber finished, he said the Sheetrock repair man would be there the next day. I asked when the inspector would be there. He said “we don’t pull permits or have inspections. If you want an inspection you will have to file it and pay for it yourself.” He said “ if they find anything wrong with you hot water tank, or your central heat, you will have to pay to have those fixed “. Basically, trying to scare me.

Does all this sound fishy? What does a permit cost?

Thanks!

First off , What's done in one place vs another varies. But where I live for a contractor to do the work with out a permit is illegal . But I've done jobs where I've told customer permit is not included. Did you have a contract? what did you agree to?
Of course if he finds a problem unrelated to the piping provided by the repiper its not his responsibility as he didn't install them. (although my repipe would include most upgrades) example, the drain pan for water heater If I'm not removing and replacing it could be a gray area.
Absolutely take a lot of pics for reference.
If your "Repipe Specialist" didn't mention a permit in contract at all I would call that a mistake big mistake that could leave him liable for costs of permit. I think its Implied when repiping a house that contractor will follow the law and will include permit. not mentioning a permit for a pro to not disclose means to me that of course its included and expected he provide

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Rsmith99]

First off , What's done in one place vs another varies. But where I live for a contractor to do the work with out a permit is illegal . But I've done jobs where I've told customer permit is not included. Did you have a contract? what did you agree to?
Of course if he finds a problem unrelated to the piping provided by the repiper its not his responsibility as he didn't install them. (although my repipe would include most upgrades) example, the drain pan for water heater If Im not removing and replacing it could be a gray area.
Absolutely take a lot of pics for reference.
If your "Repipe Specialist" didn't mention a permit in contract at all I would call that a mistake big mistake that could leave him liable for costs of permit. I think its Implied when repiping a house that contractor will follow the law and will include permit. not mentioning a permit for a pro to not disclose means to me that of course its included and expected he provide

 

[Rsmith99]

Do city inspectors really inspect anything, or is it just a way to make money for the city?

 

[Jeff H Young]

They are all different city to city 5 miles apart or 3000 miles . or within the same city.
I guess your wondering whether to have the inspector poking around or not plus the cost. I'm a pro and wouldn't care on my house but the inspection can add a degree of insuring a proper job. I sense your contractor might not have been upfront with you but hope that's not case

 

[Gdog]

Had a house re-piped (all the way to the street connection) w/pex a couple of years ago in oregon. Guy did a pretty good job because I was remodeling the house so I inspected his work afterward. I was doing the drywall repairs so his work was still viewable in places.

He did pull permits and had city come out for inspection. But 99% of the work was in the crawlspace. Inspector comes out, takes a look at the street connection, then comes into the house for a walk around. I asked him if he wanted to get into the crawl to see the work down there and he looked at me like I was crazy. That's all he did and left; approved!

 

[Jeff H Young]

Had a house re-piped (all the way to the street connection) w/pex a couple of years ago in oregon. Guy did a pretty good job because I was remodeling the house so I inspected his work afterward. I was doing the drywall repairs so his work was still viewable in places.

He did pull permits and had city come out for inspection. But 99% of the work was in the crawlspace. Inspector comes out, takes a look at the street connection, then comes into the house for a walk around. I asked him if he wanted to get into the crawl to see the work down there and he looked at me like I was crazy. That's all he did and left; approved!

Sounds about right, but next time try drywalling and covering everything up backfill trenches and see how that works out.
Its rare that an inspector crawls under house, In fact I don't think I've ever seen it, they might take a look from the crawl hole or ask you to leave an opening in the house floor if you have floor opened up.
But Typical crawlspace repipe would not result in a good look underneath in my experience.
Pulling a permit likely wont improve chances of a good job, although omitting to pull a permit wont make it any better either can save money or cause great headaches added expense depending on the project

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

buying permits and scheduling inspections takes time and costs money. If I don't have a general contractor who has staff on site and I have to meet an inspector on site I charge for that time, which can double the cost of a small project like a water heater. Back in the old days in Seattle, we had to physically go to the office downtown to apply for and get our permits some cities may be that way still.

But the scare tactic makes me think they probably don't have licensed staff doing their work. One of my apprentices 10yrs ago came from a company that only did resin repipes.. none of their crews were licensed.

 

[Sylvan]

When you make out the check get a receipt "For repipe" and have something in writing of work performed and if the "plumber" asks why tell them it is for an insurance claim . This hopefully will CYA in case they are not insured or licensed incase you neglected to ask for a certificate of insurance or license

 

[Jeff H Young]

buying permits and scheduling inspections takes time and costs money. If I don't have a general contractor who has staff on site and I have to meet an inspector on site I charge for that time, which can double the cost of a small project like a water heater. Back in the old days in Seattle, we had to physically go to the office downtown to apply for and get our permits some cities may be that way still.

But the scare tactic makes me think they probably don't have licensed staff doing their work. One of my apprentices 10yrs ago came from a company that only did resin repipes.. none of their crews were licensed.

Oh yea nothing is free, a city lic and permit gets pricey on small jobs. But I dont go and install a water heater for a fixed price and after Im done tell them a permit isnt included either, and neither does any of us that are legit or semi legit.
Years ago I had a deal going with the gas company they would pay us to install water heaters they provided, some how if the customer was poor it was free, we had a few hundred to do spread out over perhaps 12 differant citys in 2 countys. pulling permits required talk about night mare. Some citys close completely for lunch, some are open 2 or 3 days a week , the hours vary, many are closed fridays. and of cource we didnt have cell phones. I never was present for inspection which helped just told homeowner to be there.

 

[Jeff H Young]

When you make out the check get a receipt "For repipe" and have something in writing of work performed and if the "plumber" asks why tell them it is for an insurance claim . This hopefully will CYA in case they are not insured or licensed incase you neglected to ask for a certificate of insurance or license

I don't think anything will CYA for hiring an un lic. contractor that has no insurance workers comp etc etc.