My New Blog

    Where do I begin my rant?  Boulder County is at least reviewing their "Build Smart" program to see what works and what doesn't.  Forget the politics and spin - the answer is simple!  The program costs YOU tens of thousands of dollars and massive headaches.  Don't let the commissioners tell you how it is working, go ask those who have been through it.  I know of several homeowner's designing their projects who have been subjected to as much as $40,000 in additional "consultant" expenses to get their plans right and the process has added as much as $300,000 of expense to homes larger than 5000 square feet.  
    I know that is an extreme case but let us look at the owner of a 1970's home (we know how poorly these are built in the first place) who wants a new basement finish permit.  Guess what? The county wants them to upgrade the whole home to meet today's standards.  This is great for the environmentalits but it will cost the homeowner exta thousands of dollars to replace windows and add solar.  You can guess what the owner did - finished the basement without a permit!  
    Anytime government regulations create an excessive financial burden (Look to the tax burdens of our European neighbors) it creates a black market.  In this case people look for work arounds such as no building permit.  I don't advocate this course of action but I don't blame them either.  
    Another crazy thing.  If we are working to improve our "Green" footprint then why don't we encourage remodeling or rebuilding older homes?  Have you ever been in a 1950's to 1970's home?  You might as well leave the windows and doors open.  Wouldn't it make more sense to encorage the remodel of these homes with reasonable requirements that don't cost prohibit the work?  I think any improvement would be a net gain even if it isn't creating a Net-Zero Energy use home.