Being a home inspector is more than a little like being a detective. Often clues present themselves, if you know how to recognize them, and a conclusion or more often a theory can be drawn.

During a recent inspection I noticed that the home had a newer addition. The buyer said he was told it was built in 2006. The addition included a two car garage, large kitchen add on and master bedroom. It was built over a full basement. The original house has a partial or low basement.

Upon entering the garage I noticed the stairs didn't feel right. It turns out each stair was of very different heights. Stair height can not vary between stairs by more than 3/8 of an inch. Clue #1.

I next noticed there was an attic with a pull down stairway above the garage. Going into the attic I noted the garage and the interior living areas were all common to the space. Because of this there needs to be fire separation walls. The placement of these walls depends on a few factors. In the case of this addition a fire rated pull down stairway would be required. Also all the walls inside the garage would have to be covered with gypsum board. The exterior walls in the garage were not covered. Clue #2.

Next onto the basement. The basement stairway lacks a handrail, lighting and light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. Clue #3.

All these clues, and there were others, add up to one thing; an un-permitted or un-inspected addition.

I have found many people believe that a building permit is what is required when building an addition or deck for example. These people would only be half right. Pulling a building permit should be one of the first things that is done before starting a project.

As the project progresses it also has to be inspected by the city building official. He signs off on the completed work as meeting code. His signature should be found on the permit which is supposed to be displayed in plain view.

My customer near the end of the inspection alerted me to a building permit he saw in the side window of the garage. I had walked by it earlier and not noticed the faded paper. Looking at the permit it lacks even one signature from the town building official. I was not surprised at all by the lack of sign offs.

What this all boils down to is the entire project was built without a single inspection from the town. Some of what was discussed here are fairly serious safety deficiencies. Additionally there were some structural issues uncovered.

So when you hear some say a permit was pulled for the work the next question should be; was it closed meaning inspected.

James Quarello
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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