Posted on 11/11/2015 1:06:56 PM PST by George from New England
I was in my local Lowes store today. Zipcode: 33541
I was shopping for and inquiring about windows to put in the wall of an existing home. There are metal, vinyl, etc. Single, double pane variations. Some block some of the light from the sun from entering to some extent. The Lowes salesman asked me if I was planning on pulling a county permit? I asked why he asked ! He said starting about two months ago they changed the code and requirements for windows. He told me the code that had been applying only to new construction had been extended to all windows including replacement. He said that most of the windows he had in stock were fine for replacement usage but no longer met the new codes. He said he had NOT ONE WINDOW in stock that met the new code. All county permitted job windows had to be special order. Taking 21 to 28 days to get in and costing a good 50% more than his stock windows.
Has anyone here heard of this?
You don’t need no steenking permit!
Did you pass the background check?
I’m in 32459 and yep new codes up here require glass to have a huricane rating if you want to replace existing. I tried to replace my front door an was informed I needed a building permit and a certificate for the new door.
You can look up your county building code at www.municode.com
Haven’t heard of it; but it doesn’t surprise me at all, our political Overlords have been pushing their “energy efficient” windows for years.
Solution #1: Ignore the permit process, it will just cost you about $250 to $500; and gives the local inspector a reason to come over and gig you on stuff that was done befor you even bought the house (make you upgrade at additional costs and fees).
Just another government rip off; and reason to intrude into your life.
Buy your windows, install them, job is done.
Reminds me of the asbestos scare/scam of a few years back. The powers that be with a few hustlers wanted me by law to redo the ceiling throughout the house. I held out until the truth of the matter that such was a scam by some wheelers and dealmakers became public information. The scam stopped.
Varies by county/state...Pasco County, FL here:
http://www.pascocountyfl.net/Index.aspx?NID=399
FL in general:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7392018_hurricane-requirements-windows-florida.html
I built a new house three years ago and was able to use the old, double pane windows I took out of an old house I tore down, but only because they still met the minimum hurricane standards for new windows. Otherwise, I would have had to buy all new windows.
I joke that half the price of my new home was for the metal straps and nails to hold everything down and together in case of high winds, because there was a ton of them required by the county building department.
Sounds like Lowe's still has a bunch of inventory of windows it can't sell where your'e located anymore. Company should ship them to someplace like their stores in Arizona where they can probably still sell them there.
Well, in this case... this scam is courtesy of our local gubmit. :)
Sounds likely.
I did a large renovation and wanted to reuse 5 year old windows worth $6000. I couldn’t because the codes had changed. Arrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!
What's the home improvement version of shoot, shovel and shut up?
“What’s the home improvement version of shoot, shovel and shut up?”
Never force it...use a bigger hammer, A manly Grunt, and a trip to the ER?
We have to have a complete set of plans for the windows, installation, etc submitted to the permit office. Basic $200 window ended up costing $600. Now I am going to replace some more windows....but not telling permit office as Lowes now carries allowable windows.
You want homeowners insurance at affordable rates. Building codes go hand in hand with the crony capitalism / regulations of local, city and state governments. Florida wants to force insurance companies to share the cost of insurance with non hurricane areas. I yhink its a scam just like health insurance including birth control for males. JMHO.
WE GET THE GOVERNMENT THAT 50.1,% OF US ASK FOR!
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