[Cob] codes-and builders

[Charmaine Taylor]

  I concur!!...remember   " a house built to code is the worst house you 
can build"  MEANING that you are doing the minimum for safety... Paul 
has some good ideas, and I  like his forthright comments : >

Most owner builders want to build as cheaply as possible, and we all 
have agendas on social, spiritual, earth-loving aspects.   But codes 
are there for a reason ( usually to protect you from unscrupulous 
contractors) but with more OB homes created  there is a need to learn  
on BOTH sides-- code officials and  owner builders.

Does anyone remember those 1950s houses with  narrow  bedroom windows 
close to the ceiling?   it took fires and people dying because they 
could not get out of the bedroom before codes  insisted that there were 
  windows starting  2' from the floor, and a door egress too.

you can buy a  code check book ($16. I think from www.codecheck.com )  
for electrical, overall codes, etc so you know how  to frame a door, 
types of wiring required, etc

Charmaine Taylor Publishing  books at dirtcheapbuilder.com

Building Codes- USA- OB input
http://www.northcoast.com/~tms/codes.html


PO Box 375 Cutten CA   95534 707-441-1632
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com  www.papercrete.com

On Jul 23, 2004, at 11:47 AM, GlobalCirclenet wrote:
> Good discussion, huh. Lest I be misunderstood, Karen, my partner and I 
> have
> been do-it-yourselfers all our lives and we plan to build our own house
> next year.
> But still I'd hesitate to do plastering or stucco without working 
> alongside
> an experienced builder or plasterer.   I have to disagree on how easy
> building is. Building to code is no laughing matter when they red tag 
> your
> house and you have to start ripping out work and hire someone who knows
> what they're doing. paul at largocreekfarms.com
>
>