I met a young lady at my Open House on Sunday who asked me if the owner had gotten a building permit when he did the renovations on the home. I kind of chuckled, because I knew that she had to be a graduate of the "Holmes of Homes" TV show. Now, don't get me wrong...I love that show! Mike Holmes tells it like it is and he's a lazy contractors worse nightmare. He's done an incredible job educating the public and pushing for changes in the minimum code.

I am not an expert in the Building Code, but I do know that most higher quality custom home builders produce a product above "minimum code" and I also know that the Building Code is only as good as the people participating in it. The Builders, the Contractors and the Inspectors. Just because something has received a "Building Permit" doesn't insure anyone that the work was done the way it should have been done...because just like Mike Holmes would tell you...minimum code has a lot to be desired.

There are many renovations in a home which don't require a building permit. You don't need one to install new replacement windows or doors. You don't need one to insulate and drywall an exterior wall, you don't need one to install a sub floor in your basement, you don't need one to change an electrical outlet or do the roof on your home...matter of fact, you don't need one to do a lot of things in your home. You do need one if you're erecting a floor to ceiling wall, building an addition, a deck attached to your home, or anything altering the structure of your house. You do need a Master electrician to approve changes to your electrical panel. For Minimum Code information visit: http://ontario-building-code.com/    and the latest changes at http://www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca/site4.aspx 

Questions and answers about the new code: http://www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca/Asset595.aspx

Unlike Mike Holmes, who is constantly cleaning up issues left behind by shoddy contractors, I am equally concerned about the things hidden and covered up by innocent do-it yourself homeowners and their handy friends, which never required a building permit. These are things that cannot be discovered by even the best of home inspectors. The ceramic floors, improperly installed, yet not showing signs of faulting at time of sale. The lack of insulation and vapour barrier behind drywall. Covered electrical junction boxes. Electrical outlets covered by drywall. Poorly installed windows. The list goes on and on and there is often very little recourse for the home buyer. In Court, these are items that fall under the umbrella of "latent defects" and it could very well be "Buyer Beware".

The old saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover" definitely holds true in these cases. The Building Code should be more stringent. In a perfect world, window replacements, siding installation, any type of deck building, any type of insulating would require an inspection. Proper installation and proper construction would protect consumers and save them from having their dream home turn into their money pit!