Ok, here's the rub --
I drew up the plans for my workshop. I included a storage loft for summer patio furniture and a large door for moving project out and materials in.
I took it to the village office and got the shock of my life. In Ontario, we have by-laws and building codes and inspectors, the whole nine yards. Here, in Quebec, you're responsible for the whole mess. Build what you want and how you want and don't worry about inspectors. But, if there is a problem in the future and it is traced back to your work, you're at fault and fully liable. You're not only responsible for construction but engineering as well. If an insurance company can find fault and you can't prove your work, the insurance company won't pay. So, you have a choice, have a contractor build your workshop for you and hope he doesn't disappear or, build it yourself and potentially suffer the consequences.
Given this situlation what would you do? Our objective is to build the garage ourselves and gain the exercise and knowledge. We must also improve the value of the property by adding a workshop. We also need the space to built the kitchen and bathroom cupboard and closets. We are not engineers or contractors with years of experience under our belts so we have to rely on other's knowledge and experience, neither of which we can afford.
Allthunbs
I drew up the plans for my workshop. I included a storage loft for summer patio furniture and a large door for moving project out and materials in.
I took it to the village office and got the shock of my life. In Ontario, we have by-laws and building codes and inspectors, the whole nine yards. Here, in Quebec, you're responsible for the whole mess. Build what you want and how you want and don't worry about inspectors. But, if there is a problem in the future and it is traced back to your work, you're at fault and fully liable. You're not only responsible for construction but engineering as well. If an insurance company can find fault and you can't prove your work, the insurance company won't pay. So, you have a choice, have a contractor build your workshop for you and hope he doesn't disappear or, build it yourself and potentially suffer the consequences.
Given this situlation what would you do? Our objective is to build the garage ourselves and gain the exercise and knowledge. We must also improve the value of the property by adding a workshop. We also need the space to built the kitchen and bathroom cupboard and closets. We are not engineers or contractors with years of experience under our belts so we have to rely on other's knowledge and experience, neither of which we can afford.
Allthunbs