Just saw this story about a guy who got slapped with a hefty fine by his city for doing some plumbing repairs himself without checking local codes first. Apparently, he replaced some pipes and fixtures in his own bathroom, nothing major, just basic stuff. But the city inspector found out somehow (neighbor snitched maybe? lol) and now he's stuck paying hundreds in fines. Seems kinda harsh to me, I mean it's his own house, you know? Curious if anyone else thinks the city went too far or if this is justified...
"Seems kinda harsh to me, I mean it's his own house, you know?"
Haha, I get the frustration—I once had a customer who decided to DIY some plumbing to save a few bucks. Ended up flooding his basement and calling me anyway at 2 a.m. (good times...). Honestly though, codes exist for a reason. I've seen minor fixes turn into major headaches down the line. Still, hundreds in fines for swapping fixtures does sound pretty steep. Maybe a warning would've been enough?
Yeah, I dunno... fines seem heavy-handed unless it's something major. But honestly, I've seen DIY plumbing turn ugly fast—like mold-behind-the-walls ugly. Maybe a mandatory inspection or warning first would've made more sense?
"Maybe a mandatory inspection or warning first would've made more sense?"
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, mandatory inspections can quickly spiral into their own headaches. I've dealt with city inspectors before, and trust me, it's rarely as straightforward as it sounds. Scheduling alone can drag out for weeks, and meanwhile you're stuck with a half-finished bathroom or kitchen sink that's barely usable. Plus, inspections often come with their own fees—so you're paying either way.
Don't get me wrong, mold behind walls is no joke (been there, done that... not fun), but fining someone outright for DIY plumbing seems harsh unless there's clear negligence or repeated violations. Maybe a better middle ground would be clearer guidelines from the city on what's acceptable DIY work versus what absolutely needs a licensed pro? That way homeowners know exactly where they stand without getting blindsided by fines or bogged down in red tape.
