SIMPLE QUESTION REGARDING GRAB BARS

Hi everyone:

I have a complaint against me through the contractors state license board because I did not pull a building permit to install a few grab bars in a residence. There was no other work done. The only work done was to take 4-5 grab bars out of their boxes and screw them into the wall studs, pick up the trash and leave. End of story. There were two complaints, one was that I installed bars vertically and not horizontally (no room and no studs behind), then the state added that I had not pulled a permit. Grab bars can be installed any which way you want, verytically, horizontally, angled, etc. so that went nowhere but this "no permit" thing really startled me. I have NEVER pulled a permit for grab bars and don't know why I would have to since I am not altering the structure in any way.

Anyone have any info?

Thanks Tim

Reply to
Tim Conde
Loading thread data ...

My Word! Tell them to install the dam grab bars........

It sounds like you did the right thing.

Reply to
jloomis

Yep. California State Board. The ADA has no impact on residential. None. Anytime anyone gets out the ADA and starts quoting chapter and verse I have to stop them and inform that that the ADA doesn't apply. In this case, the state board supposedly retained an "expert" who put in a report that the grab bars, according to the manufacturer, HAD TO BE installed horizontally. I can't wait to see that. Also that I had to have a permit to install them. If I opened walls, installed blocking, etc. yeah, OK,maybe. But screwed them into a wall? So I can't install a paper towel holder or a towel bar without a permit, too? Sure. Makes sense...

Reply to
Tim Conde

In my area the town has a web site that lists the common items of work that trigger the need for pulling a permit.

formatting link
Ask your licensing board contact to point out the written section where grab bars trigger the requirement. You will find many items of similarly small scope that don't, and you will most likely be able to get them to throw the complaint out. If they do not want to throw it out, tell them that you did not pull a permit as this requirement is obviously so new it is not even on their own books, but as a law- abiding contractor you would be willing to pay a fine if it does not get entered on your record. If you have never or rarely pulled permits that will be a tough sell.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

Reply to
Tim Conde

I can't help you with your frustration level, so you will just have to deal with it or find another line of work, or work on jobs where you have more control over who you work for/with. By working for insurance companies you are asking to be put in the middle of difficult situations. The hostility a homeowner feels towards an insurance company that they believe is not doing right by them will, of course, spill over onto you. A state licensing board only has control over contractors and of course can't compel a homeowner to do anything. It is what it is.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

Yeah, what a system. A few years back I worked for many Bed and Breakfasts and larger quaint older lodgings in the Mendocino County Coast area. The owners had to upgrade some of their antiquated facilities to pass newer rulings concerning bathrooms, and access to lodgings.

Apparently there was a team of handicap folks/lawyers driving from town to town staying in these establishments only to find faults with the buildings access and bathrooms and then suing those for non appropriate conditions and bringing the Building Dept. into the picture.

Many of these older "Farms" and or Victorian/Queene Anne structures were originally built with none of the rulings in mind and thus they had that ambiance of an older structure/turn of the centruy antiquated feeling.

In many we had to tear apart the older rooms, and completely remodel with ADA compliance in mind.

Bathrooms ended up looking like a mens High School gym locker room. I do understand the reasoning behind this so that access is equally provided for those who do not have the mobility.

I also believe that those with less mobility may have to choose an easier path.

I do not want to get into the debate about ADA compliance etc.

We may have to provide facilities for dogs and cats also. Many pet owners bring their animals to these lodgings now also. Pet beds, potty rooms,doggy drink stations, outdoor fire hydrants......hummm

Reply to
jloomis

You are probably right. I always looked at this work as "helping people", a bigger calling than just installing nice cabinets. I love(d) the aspect of changing lives and still feel that making a difference in people's lives is more important than installing a great looking sink base. Most people I have done work for love what I do, becasue I genuinely care(d) about helping them. But there are those that have SO much anger, it just doesn't make sense anymore. This person, according to the adjustor with the carrier, is a "professional injured person", that's their term. They get hired on somewhere and within a week or two, "OOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW", back injury. Past four employers like that. Just be happy one of them is not you.

Tim

Reply to
Tim Conde

I am always right - just ask me! ;)

There's an old saw in contracting that 1 out of 5 customers will do everything possible to prevent a contractor from making a profit. The trick is to eliminate these people....that does not mean kill them! It means that you have to be willing to let some jobs go, even if it looks tempting, because the owner will have you working for free. You'll still have the risk, but no reward. That's a bad situation.

I wouldn't get bummed out on life/work because of a scam artist. Karma is effective and (s)he'll get the ungreased point of it eventually.

R
Reply to
RicodJour

What was the reason for the original complaint? The state didn't just do a random inspection, so I'm assuming the customer was dissatisfied. Did they contact you first before complaining?

As to code compliance, it is whatever the state and/or locality require. No need for opinions, the rules are going to be clear and written. I'd just check them.

I really wonder what the rest of the story is...

Reply to
PeterD

*I'm thinking that since California is in a budget crisis that these people in the state license board are worried about their jobs. Consequently they are pursuing every complaint with a vengeance to justify the need for their services. Ultimately the OP may win his case, but at what cost?
Reply to
John Grabowski

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.