Problem buying a new house

[JenJen]

Quad62 -- how did this all turn out? Did you buy the house after all? How did your mods turn out?

[peegy p]

I was able to solve the step-up in the garage problem with my builder. My water heater and furnace are located in the garage. The builder mentioned that local fire code ordinances required a height difference between the main floor and these 2 appliances (gas water heater, gas furnace). His solution was to grade the floor of the garage thus eliminate the step into the house [my garage door opens up into my laundry room and kitchen] and placing both the water heater and furnace on a raise platform with metal/cement pylons (? 3 1/2 foot column) infront of the platform. These pylons keep my car from running into the water heater and furnace.

[JenJen]

I'd love to see pix Peegy

[peegy p]

Jen Jen
I am planning on buying a digital camera soon. Once I figure everything out, I will post some pictures.

[Sue Pendleton]

Here the step up from the garage is not fire code but part of county code to reduce carbon monoxide transfer to the rest of the house as it's heavier than air. This is the sole remaining step in our place because we have a single car garage and no room for a lift or ramp. We use the garage as storage and park in the drive.

Some counties give exceptions fairly easily to many code items while others fight tooth and nail to disallow them. If you get an exception keep it with your house deed in a safe deposit box because you'll need it to sell the place. And be aware that you might want to show up on site the days these items are done/poured as the contractor may know but his crew probably just does what they always do.

[Riz]

I had the same problems recently when I purchased a new home in NJ. I gave the builder a list of modifications that I wanted done, the biggest being the bathroom which was not accessible at all, and asked them to please give me the additional costs for doing them. They told me they would not make any modifications at all. So I said that I would call my attorney and get back to them with my legal rights under ADA compliance. That was all it took, they said tell us what you need done. I told them what I wanted done and they gave me the additional costs.

You have rights, don't let get away with doing nothing, or as little as they possibly can. I even called the township building office because the builder at one point told me the home plan was already approved at the township and could not be changed. It all BS they just don't want to be inconvenienced in any way.

Good luck, and don't give in.

Riz
C-5 incomplete

[cheesecake]

SoFla, thanks. I am not well versed in ADA either. However, so far no one has said with any surety from their knowledge/experience that ADA requires the developer to accommodate the changes I need. I will try to find out and see where it leads. About the carpets, they have a tile/hardwood upgrade available. So, that is not a problem.

CA has some legal guidelines for Fair Housing that are equal or stronger than the federal guidelines. How are you financing? FHA loans force the builder to make the necessary adaptions and to get them per code. FHA will not allow a closing if the grades, etc are not right. Actually, they will put money is escorol until the builder completes the mandated changes.

I urge you to contact your local DBTAC

[fuentejps]

i went through that exact same thing in ohio when i built my condo 2 yrs ago

I had the same problems recently when I purchased a new home in NJ. I gave the builder a list of modifications that I wanted done, the biggest being the bathroom which was not accessible at all, and asked them to please give me the additional costs for doing them. They told me they would not make any modifications at all. So I said that I would call my attorney and get back to them with my legal rights under ADA compliance. That was all it took, they said tell us what you need done. I told them what I wanted done and they gave me the additional costs.

You have rights, don't let get away with doing nothing, or as little as they possibly can. I even called the township building office because the builder at one point told me the home plan was already approved at the township and could not be changed. It all BS they just don't want to be inconvenienced in any way.

Good luck, and don't give in.

Riz
C-5 incomplete

[Rustyjames]

"I even called the township building office because the builder at one point told me the home plan was already approved at the township and could not be changed. It all BS they just don't want to be inconvenienced in any way."

Actually, once the drawings are approved by the township any changes would have to be resubmitted. When the drawings are approved the builder has to build accordingly.

[vjls]

i got really lucky bought a foreclousre all doors 36" rollinshower i couldn/t belive my eyes
when i went in too master . i ripped up carpet have concrete floors love it

[ChinaDoll]

When you need something done, don't take "no" too easily... squeaky wheel gets the grease... ask, ask, and request, request... you never know which of the people will say "yes".

Good luck.

[Thesimplycarlo]

Thanks for the advice for him I also learn from it...