THE THREE RIVERS BUILDERS SHOW

Mark your calendar for the 23nd Annual Three Rivers Builders Show, to be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Sept 28-29.  The show will feature a busy show floor with the industry�s latest technology and developments, as well as informative seminars to help improve your business.  PBA joins the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and NAHB is sponsoring this event.  

PA ONE-CALL BILL

            If you have a PA One-Call system bill and are a current member of the PBA, please forward your invoice to Jennifer Bertolette.  The PBA pays you to use this service as a member benefit.  You can submit your invoice by fax (717)730-4396 or by mail to PBA, 600 N. 12^th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043.

      Please include on the PA One-Call invoice your membership expiration date to expedite the processing of your form for payment.  Your expiration date is printed on the lower left corner of your annual membership renewal invoice.  For example, if your invoice states: �Pay before the 20^th day of Apr 2005" then your expiration date is 04/30/05. 

      If you can not find your expiration date, you may still send the PA One-Call invoice to us at HBAA,  Richland Square III, Suite 200, 1397 Eisenhower Blvd., Johnstown, PA 15904.  Our fax number is (814)266-5108.  We will attach your expiration date and forward the bill to PBA.

Your expiration date

UNIFORM  CONSTRUCTION CODE 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What will happen if I do not build to code?
The code official from the state or municipality can issue a stop-work order. Code officials can force you to undo work to give them access to areas that need to be inspected. The building code makes allowance for code officials to grant permission for accelerated construction, which allows you to work to a certain point. You cannot proceed until that phase passes inspection. Without final inspection approval, you cannot receive an occupancy permit. For violations of the building code, you may end up in court. If convicted, you could pay fines up to $1,000 a day for each violation. The ramifications of cutting corners could be costly. Even if you spposedly get by without the proper approvals and something goes wrong later, you are responsible.

Under the UCC, what inspections are needed for residential home building?  At a minimum, five inspections will include:

1 Foundation, often proceeded by footer inspection
2 Plumbing, mechanical and electrical system
3 Frame and masonry
4 Wallboard
5 Final Inspection

Municipalities may require other inspections to comply with the UCC. If the final inspection shows that the building is in compliance with all of the required ordinances, a certificate of occupancy is issued within five business days.
What if I am doing minor repairs to my home?
Numerous minor repairs will not require inspection under the UCC. They include minor electrical work, the construction of decks lower than 30 inches above grade, the repair or replacement of a porch, any cosmetic changes such as wallpapering, painting, new cabinetry and flooring. Carports, detached garages, greenhouses and sheds in an area of less than 500 square feet will also not require inspection.
A larger list of questions are available on the Pennsylvania Builders Association web site at www.pabuilders.org