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Aug 04, 2015
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Common DIY Construction Code Violations

There’s a feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing your own home renovation project.  Not only is there money to be saved by doing so, but it also gives you a chance to express your creativity while getting your hands dirty.  Home improvement television shows showcase drama, décor and daring designs, but one thing they often neglect to showcase is DIY home improvement projects that go seriously wrong.  After all, the point of these shows is to encourage homeowners to try projects on their own and purchase the products being showcased.  Showcasing disasters that result from homeowners can be counter-intuitive on both fronts.  Some of the most serious missteps can take place when a homeowner ignores building codes during their project. It’s easy to see how this could happen if you don’t work with them on a consistent basis.  Here is a list of some of the top building code violations that weekend warriors commit.

Working without a Permit-It’s a common misunderstanding that permits are only needed for contractors.  The truth is the type of project that you’re completing and where the property is geographically located dictate whether a not a permit is a necessity.  Permits add an additional cost to your project so it can be tempting to skip getting one.  Not getting a permit could cost you thousands of dollars in fines, or worst case scenario could land you in jail.  A homeowner can even be forced to have unauthorized work torn out if it does not meet standards.  Additionally, your insurance company may not cover damages to your home that occurred during a project that required a permit where none was pulled.

Ignoring Asbestos- Out of sight and out of mind is a foolish approach when it comes to acknowledging the presence of asbestos within your home.  If inhaled, asbestos can cause several types of respiratory problems including cancer and scarring of the lungs.  Flooring, insulation, plaster, caulk, ceiling tiles, paint and furnace ducts are common places that asbestos are found.  The substance was banned from building materials in 1972.  Asbestos, when not disturbed is not a health hazard.  It only becomes one as the product starts to deteriorate and asbestos particles enter the air.  We highly recommend that you allow a trained professional to detect and remove asbestos in your home.  Do know that most municipalities have strict guidelines regarding the removal and disposal of asbestos.

Skipping a Lead Test- Since 1978, the use of lead in paint has been illegal.  Exposure to lead paint particles can lead to brain & kidney damage, hearing & vision impairment and nerve problems.   There are state and federal programs in place to ensure that testing is done effectively & correctly.  Call 800-424-LEAD (the National Lead Information Center) to see who the service provider in your area is.  Home kits are not the most effective way to determine if your home has lead hazards, as their results may not be entirely accurate.

Basement Bedrooms Without Egress Windows-A great way to add livable space to a home without expanding its footprint is to finish your basement.  While it can seem like an unnecessary expense, an egress window with dimensions that meet local building codes should be added.  This allows the room to be counted as a bedroom and also ensures a safe exit for the occupant of a room, in the event of a house fire.

Reviews

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Delivering exceptional service is our No. 1 priority. Read these happy reviews from homeowners who were blown away by their home improvement experience with Lindus Construction.

"We are quite pleased with the way our project went. The Lindus folks have successfully managed to instill a culture of quality and customer service in throughout the entire business, which is rare these days.  Everyone we worked with carried that same attitude of wanting to do it right and make us happy. The installation went well and we are very satisfied."

Tim M.
Minneapolis, MN
June 20, 2023

"Thorough, timely, efficient, good communicators. Excellent work, cleaned up well and took care of a few extra details without any hassle."

Carla U.
Minneapolis, MN
May 17, 2023

"Your services and products are wonderful!  (And we have used Lindus three times now). The crews were gracious and hard-working."

Alan W.
St. Paul, MN
May 11, 2023

"I would just like to compliment Randahl for excellent work and customer service skills.  Every time he was at our home, he was professional, thorough, extremely pleasant, and explained things well.  You are very lucky to have such an outstanding employee!"

Vicki F.
Blaine, MN
March 25, 2023

"Great job. Workers were friendly and cleaned up everything when they were done. They stopped to tell me they were ready to work and checked in when they were done."

Carolyn I.
Andover, MN
March 16, 2023

"This company has all ways been honest with us, took care of us and their workmanship is second to none."

Michael N.
Rosemount, MN
March 13, 2023

"Very professional, super quality work, everyone was very pleasant, would highly recommend, will continue to use Lindus for all future projects."

Chuck V.
Chaska, MN
February 18, 2023

"Service and work were excellent; thank you!"

Ron B.
Burnsville, MN
January 19, 2023

"The technician worked very efficiently and put in long hours to get the job done. Excellent work and we were very grateful."

Pam L.
Oakdale, MN
January 12, 2023

"I have used Lindus in the past and they once again, gave me excellent service. They stand behind their products and service. I have referred them to many friends."

Susan B.
St. Paul, MN
January 6, 2023

"We have had them do work at our home before and at my parents' house. They did great work!"

Sue R.
St. Croix Falls, WI
January 3, 2023

"The two young men that did the install were great.  They were personal and appeared very conscientious."

Jim H.
St. Anthony, MN
December 30, 2022

"Always polite and considerate. Last inspection was a quality control and I was impressed with him and his thorough inspection. Great job!"

Irene S.
Bloomington, MN
December 20, 2022

"We had a great experience with Lindus. The communication has been great. When I had a question I received a return email or phone call quickly. When Lindus employees were at our home, they explained what they were doing in great detail, my questions were always satisfactory answered. I will gladly continue to refer Lindus to friends and neighbors."

Roger D.
Shoreview, MN
November 29, 2022

"I highly recommend Lindus Construction. I have used them for three projects over the last few years and they are easy to contact, the people are friendly and they do very high quality work. Don’t hesitate to use Lindus for your next project."

Darrell M.
Lino Lakes, MN
June 9, 2022
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