Cumberland County Adopts Building Codes!

I do not believe we need a building inspector in Cumberland County.  As a retired general contractor I have found that County appointed/elected inspectors generally don't have enough knowledge to warrant inspecting anything.  As for 'paid professionals' my experience is the same. There is no required knowledge, they just open up a business calling themselves 'inspectors' and then make money charging banks and mortgage companies a fee for inspecting before a loan closing.

As a licensed contractor I already have the knowledge; I do not want or need GOVERNMENT interferring or telling me how to run my business.  Just more burocacy and expense that this country doesn't need.  Government butt out!

Yes! I believe in Proper Code Enforcement in the professional trades (building, mechanical heating & air, Plumbing & gas and electrical). I also believe that all tradesmen do not need big brother looking over their backs "fortunately" not all people have good working ethics and experience. When you are in an area that requires no "rules of experience" before you are allowed to service the public or learn on the public dollar then you need proper code enforcement. I can understand not needing code enforcement back in the day when the local population depended on the tool we all have known as "word of mouth" but let's also realize all the counties populatin & times have changed (Cumberland County the surrounding counties and the state of Tennessee). Some are against code enforcement because they would per-fer to avoid spending their profits to correct a problem and making it right. Yes! there are disadvantage's; extra cost to the project or public and most would not want code enforcement for that reason until they are left with expensive repairs, modifications, or replacements "then they wish they had it".

Proper Code Enforcement: OK, we should all know that home inspector's are not proper code enforcement officers unless your not familiar with code enforcement. Code enforcement officers do not work with realtor's, banks or property sales. Building Official Qualifications shall have at least 10yrs.experience or equivalent, as an architect, engineer, inspector, contractor, or superintendent of construction, or any combination of these, for 5 yrs. of which shall have been in responsible charge of work. Should be certified as a Building Official through a recognized certification program. Chief Inspectors Qualifications are the same as a Building Official except they should be citified for the appropriate trade. Inspector Qualifications are some what the same except you only must had been a foreman or competent mechanic in charge of construction.

I have been in the building industry for over 39 continuous years and if there is any place that needs proper code enforcement it is here in Cumberland Co. and the surrounding areas that have out grown the "word of mouth" years. The reasons for code enforcement highly out number the reasons for not having code enforcement!

 Proper Code Enforcement: will safeguard life, health, public welfare and protection of property, If uniform codes are followed it will create equal and competitive pricing and will create jobs. Let's hope they put qualified experanced personal in these positions and over look the good o'l boy rule.

Closing statement: From what I have seen and learned from most counties that have already adopted code enforcement departments, there will be no changes except the cost to apply by the rules. The only reason it is put in place is that it is now a state requirement with a due date.  Proper Code enforcement will not work unless every one is treated equal to follow uniform code requirements,also the codes department must have the support of their county commissioner's.

Dave Brant

so it is now may 2019 anyone have any updates on building code for rural areas of county? i am here looking at properties and found a couple I like and want to build a shipping container house and do not want to be bothered with inspectors for this type of build (not traditional) I was trying to do this in Cali but that proved impossible.