| It does not take much of an injury nowadays | | | | The permit is not difficult to get if your |
| to be worth a lawsuit of $10,000 and a really | | | | plans are complete and meet certain minimum |
| serious injury can well cost an owner | | | | requirements. |
| $100,000 or more. | | | | |
| | | | Before you complete your plans, you should |
| The cost of insurance is a small drop in the | | | | secure from the building department a little |
| ocean compared to this. | | | | booklet or a folder of typewritten sheets |
| | | | giving the building requirements in your |
| Juries are inclined to be very sympathetic | | | | district. |
| toward an accident victim and to be rather | | | | |
| liberal with the money of the insurance | | | | Then you can draw your plans so that they |
| companies. As they are not allowed to be told | | | | give the necessary information. |
| whether you are insured or not, they assume | | | | |
| that you are carrying insurance. Be safe and | | | | The usual requirements include: |
| carry the necessary legal protection. | | | | |
| | | | Floor plan showing all dimensions, plumbing |
| In some places a department of the state | | | | fixtures, light fixtures, window and door |
| handles all the workmen's compensation | | | | sizes, and the use of each room. |
| insurance; in others, private insurance | | | | |
| companies may operate in the compensation | | | | Foundation plan showing size of foundation |
| field. | | | | and footings. |
| | | | |
| Find out and be legally protected against all | | | | Roof plan showing hips, valleys, and slope of |
| lawsuits arising from accidents or incidents | | | | roof, and the kind of roofing material. |
| of your building operations. | | | | |
| | | | At least two elevations, the front and one |
| The cost of compensation insurance for the | | | | end. Cross section showing how to house is to |
| entire job probably wouldn't be more than $40 | | | | be built. |
| or $50, and it doesn't pay to take a chance. | | | | |
| | | | Plot plan showing how far the house is to be |
| Contractors and sub-contractors are supposed | | | | from the street, the distance from the lot |
| to carry their own compensation insurance, | | | | lines on the sides, the sewer lines, the |
| but it is well to inquire into it before you | | | | septic tank in case there is no sewer, where |
| let them start to work, as you are liable for | | | | the water pipe comes in, where the gas meter |
| anything that happens on your job. | | | | is located, and where the electric service |
| | | | enters the building. |
| If they do not carry the proper insurance, | | | | |
| then you should carry it, or not hire them; | | | | If you have a little time but not much money, |
| find someone who is properly insured. | | | | then you will have to build the house instead |
| | | | of paying someone else to do it. |
| Building Permit | | | | |
| | | | It is a good idea to use a mortgage |
| Most cities and many counties require that | | | | calculator when you use a mortgage to buy |
| you get a permit before you start building. | | | | your house. |
| | | | |
| You will furnish the licensing agency two | | | | A percentage point does not look much but it |
| complete copies of the plans and | | | | is surprising how it can make a big |
| specifications, when you apply for the | | | | difference to your total outlay over 25 |
| permit. | | | | years. |
| | | | |