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