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Stop Work Orders – a boundless source of stress for homeowners. We have written a lot about Stop Work Orders in the past, covering everything from horror stories to tips for avoiding them. In spite of this, we continue to see homeowners who have received Stop Work Orders – and hear the devastating consequences of receiving them. This month, we created a three-part series about...
Stop Work Orders may be scary, but they are completely preventable. If you follow a few simple steps, you will not have to worry about Stop Work Orders at all. Not sure why you want to avoid Stop Work Orders? This month, we created a three-part series about Stop Work Orders Check out the other blogs in this three-part series: 4 Perfect Examples of Why...
Welcome to the third part in our Stop Work Orders series! This month, we created a three-part series about Stop Work Orders We have already tackled 4 Perfect Examples of Why to Take Stop Work Orders Seriously and Why Stop Orders Happen and How To Prevent Them. Today, we are wrapping up with a look at the consequences of working without the appropriate Permits. Some...
Applying for a Building Permit can be an overwhelming process. We hear a lot of horror stories from people who tried to handle applying for permits on their own. Many expressed that they were not prepared when they went into the permit application process – even if they felt prepared at the time. Often, these individuals found themselves backtracking to consult the proper experts...
With cannabis being legalized this year, the City of Vancouver is putting regulations in place around its sale. Many people know there are regulations around who can purchase cannabis – but what about those who want to build and operate a cannabis dispensary in Vancouver? A certain set of permits is required to do so. Here is a snapshot of the information that is...
When it comes to purchasing a home in Vancouver, there are a lot of decisions to make. Which neighbourhood do you want to live in? What kind of home are you looking for? What is your budget? One of the most important questions, especially for Vancouver homebuyers, is: Are you looking for a renovated home or a fixer-upper? Here’s why. The value of a fixer-upper...
Over the last eight weeks, we have covered a number of topics in our series on Stop Work Orders. We hope that we have made it clear how devastating non-permitted work can be. Why, then, do people undertake such work – and how do you avoid ending up in a similar position? Read more from our Stop Work Order series: Stop Work Order horror stories:...
A Stop Work Order may sound manageable, but it can be incredibly financially damaging. While we have touched on some of the issues we have seen over our years working in Vancouver home design, we have some true horror stories that show just how devastating getting a Stop Work Order can be. Stop Work Order horror stories We have had a number of cases...
One of the most important things to do when you are buying a property is check that the home matches the plans on file with the City. This is vital because, if the plans do not match, there are likely renovations to the house that have been conducted without a permit, meaning once you purchase the property, you are at risk of being hit...
With the amount of residential construction in Vancouver skyrocketing, the number of Stop Work Orders is exploding. In fact, Stop Work Orders are becoming downright common for builders and homeowners. But what are Stop Work Orders and why should they matter to you? What is a Stop Work Order? A Stop Work Order is a legal notice to suspend work on a given project....
Getting a Building Permit can feel overwhelming… but it doesn’t need to. That’s why, today, we are focusing on one of the most difficult – and, for many people, frustrating – parts of the process: Building Permit Drawings. There are three easy ways to simplify the development of your Building Permit Drawings, while also protecting yourself against future issues. The three ways to make...
As the number of Secondary Suites in the Vancouver area explodes, the pool of illegal rentals is growing. In fact, the majority of Secondary Suites in the City are illegal. While having an illegal Secondary Suite means risking being reported to By-Law Inspectors, the process of legalizing your Secondary Suite can be costly and arduous. If you do decide to pursue the legalization process,...
Stop work orders on residential construction in Vancouver became quite prominent in 2015, when building was booming. At the time, homeowners were either unaware of the permits required for these structures, or were skipping the permit application process altogether, in order to complete the project faster. A stop work order will likely be issued if you do not have a permit to build a house...
The types of drawings required for submission to get a building permit vary somewhat depending in which City you are building. That said, most Cities have relatively similar lists. Below we’ve compiled a checklist of the drawings that are required for a building permit application in most Cities in the Lower Mainland. However, you may wish to check with your City Building Department, or with...