I have seen the system first hand as it currently works .... it’s all “pay to play” with the politicians, from the county level on up. If you don’t do it, your subdivision, building or whatever doesn’t happen. I blame it on government entities rather than those trying to make a living by building things. It’s gotten ridiculous, actually. Throw in the ever restrictive EPA & other regulations & it’s d@mn near impossible.
“I have seen the system first hand as it currently works .... it’s all “pay to play” with the politicians, from the county level on up.”
You got it. What does a homeowner need to remodel a kitchen - a permit. A permit is nothing more than a legalized payoff to some fat, clueless bureaucrat so you can add windows, install plumbing to a kitchen island and expand the working space from 14-feet to 20-feet.
This kind of crap happens because so-called conservatives sit on their fat asses and never challenge local governments on this kind of legalized bribery. And spare me the argument that government inspections are needed to make certain the work was done right. There are private inspectors who can be hired. Plus small claims courts are available to sue contractors who don’t fulfill the remodeling contract.