Did Your Home’s Designer Follow Building Codes?

This Atlanta Home Inspection Was Designed to Be Costly!

“The problem with some developers is that they have ‘designers’ designing their houses instead of architects”, says Andrew Binosa, ASHI Associate Inspector with Champia Real Estate Inspections Atlanta.

Was your home created by a “designer” or an architect? The difference can be detrimental to your wallet. While architects are well trained on housing codes and regulations, designers aren’t. “Although they may be very creative, their failure to follow the IRC Code book shows when you realize their work is just not up to par,” Andrew says.

Here is a great example found by Andrew showing the steps skipped in the construction of a home that wasn’t properly designed:

IRC Codes R311.7.8.2 Continuity says the following, “Handrails for stairway shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 1 1/2 inch between the wall and the handrails.”

“The handrails on both sides of the last full flight of the stairs in this house ends to the newel posts on both sides,” Andrew says, “The problem is, that is not where the top riser of the flight. It is another three more steps.”

“To follow code,” Andrew says, “the handrails needs to turn and continue to the point directly above the top riser of the flight and return to the newel posts at the top.”

Check out Champia’s blog for more insightful tips to keep you up-to-date with all real estate codes and regulations.

To schedule Andrew or one of our other experienced inspectors for your residential or commercial inspection, visit us online at Champia.com or call us at 770-753-0767.