posted
A neighboring Township requires that I dig the two holes for a sign installation (for 4"posts). Then I have to call to have the holes inspected.
Have you ever heard such a crock?
The sign is only 6' to the top! What type of engineering do they think I need?
I've been doing signs for 31 years now, and I've never heard anything so ridiculous.
And of COURSE the location is 30 miles each way. Is this normal for anyone?
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
There's a town here that requires a signed/stamped engneered drawing for EVERY sign in town. That includes a 2'x8' piece of dibond screwed to a wall.
posted
I was watching an editorial piece on TV a few days ago. They were talking about swimming holes that have been used for decades, and how the fear of liability has shut them down. Then they talked about how the high dives have been removed from many swimming pools. The reporter looked into the number of injuries related to high dives. They found no cause for concern whatsoever. But, the POSSIBILITY of injury was what motivated the removal of the diving boards.
The fear of injury and liability have motivated some of the stupidest restrictions. We sing patriotic songs of independence and freedom, but then allow the straightjacket of idiotic regulation to be placed upon us.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
It would be my guess that it's being done to ensure "hand dug holes"...versus "computor generated" ones, as witnessed in here last year and more recently when a Letterhead offered pre-dug holes in here....problem w/pre-dugs are they are computor generated and will cause problems down the road...
(truth be known, Russ is probably the closest in his thoughts)
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
This is a totally off the wall thought. But considering the historic region in which you live, Gene... could they be worried that you might dig up old battlefield artifacts? I mean, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Cashtown, Hagerstown all had Civil War activity. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Our city requires inspection for all concrete foundations. Buildings, signs, homes etc. You can't have a good structure if you don't have a good foundation. Our city is relaxed about the inspections(for signs). They don't care about a couple of 4"x4" set in concrete. Larger sign structures they will inpect and should.
Our city requires sign structures to be engineered to 90mph wind loads without structural failure. This is the reason for inspections.
Set 20 4x4 post in a week and overload them. They will stop looking at 2' holes. Make a suggestion to your city engineers on small structure under so many square feet should not require inspection.
Russ mentioned the increasing liab. Have a city inspect a sign foundation. Then have it blow off and damage or cause an injury. They assume more liability.
-------------------- Mike South ABC Glass & Signs, Inc. 1415 Main Street Miles City, MT 59301
abc@midrivers.com 406-234-1234 Posts: 167 | From: Miles City, MT | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't you charge a significant fee for making the second trip out because of their assinine regs? I'd hit them with an additional $150; gas ain't cheap you know.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hey Magoo, I beg your pardon! My pre-made post holes are recycled oilwell holes, not computer generated. Well, maybe the "hole" saw is computer driven to cut them to length. As of late, I have been having trouble with a guy in a pig costume trying to steal the holes. I suppose he's is trying to go "Whole hog" about it.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
had a tripod sign post were 3x3 aluminum. specs were 36" deep and 24" circumference. I dont think cell phone towers are put in this good. complete overkill. I avoid permits (if posssible) at all costs. Waste of energy, time, money and materials
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
I dug some holes a few years back and called for inspection. Because the part of town where the sign was going had a lot of homeless I covered the holes with plywood to keep them from falling in. We went later that day to check the permit. It was red tagged. The inspector wrote "Must dig holes for inspection" I called the supervisor and she sent the inspector to meet us at the site. He arrived wearing a white shirt with epaulets, looking like Gopher from Love Boat and was astounded when I moved the pieces of plywood next to the piles of dirt and revealed holes, imagine that. I could visualize him standing there looking up at the sky saying,"Now where could those holes be?"
-------------------- Dennis Goddard
Gibsonton Fl Posts: 1050 | From: Tampa Fl USA | Registered: Apr 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
What you poeple fail to realize....you stop by the inspector and let him inspect the predug holes that Roy provides...before you install them! That way you both avoid the necessity of an extra trip!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8827 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
That happened last year when I tried to get a permit for a 3' x 4' hanging sign on a 4" x 4" post in Gainesville GA. The lady said the "footing" had to be inspected before I could install the sign. I told her there wasn't a footing, just a post in a hole. She then told me (with a straight face) "Well, then your hole will have to be inspected"......
45 mile drive - one trip for permit, second trip to dig hole, third trip to install sign. I was not a happy camper.
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have experienced this also, except we had already dug and poured the concrete. They said we need to have an engineer inspect the hole to make sure we were 36" deep.
I called an engineer and the charge was $450. I said how do you plan to check how far down we really are. He said he was going to dig right down beside our hole to measure.
I said, aren't you going to compromise the strenth of my hole when you pack the loose dirt back into your hole?
He said not my problem, at least you will have a permit for a weak hole.
I left the situation in the hands of the builder, who after two board meetings got an exemption.
UNBELIEVABLE!
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well, Well here we go again. Friend of mine paid $50.00 for a hole inspection. Inspector showed up 3 hours late, took a look, said"Yep that's a hole". Got in his pickup amd drove off. On a more serious note here is one reason we need hole inspectors. Recently a single pole sign about 6'x8' d/f on a single pole about 16' over-all hieght fell over due to a very strong wind storm. Believe it or not when I checked to see what happened, I saw 4 -4' lag bolts through the bottom plate of the sign had been screwed into the asphalt parking lot.
-------------------- Donald Miner ABCO Wholesale Neon 1168 Red Hill Creek Dobson, NC Posts: 842 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
About 20 years ago, I got a Monday morning call to clean up the mess after an illegally installed sign blew over. It was a 12' x 32' billboard with 8' ground clearance set on five telephone poles. It had been put up over the weekend without a permit--as if the city inspectors wouldn't notice that sign!
The first hole was dug 2' deep. They got progressively shallower and the last one was only 10". I guess the guy got tired.
It's a wonder the installers didn't get killed while they were up there nailing on the stringers.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Five years ago, I obtained a sign installers contractors license. I include in the quoted price of the sign, drawings and plans for obtaining a permit, but it does not included the city permit fees. Now, learn your cities codes. Example: a moument sign over 6' requires engineer drawings. Well, I never design a monument sign taller than 6' including it's base or pedestal. I recently completed a sign which was 6 1/2' tall, leaving off the base or pedestal it is known as a 'free standing ' sign, therefor, no engineer drawings. The contractor's license helped me do three things... 1) obtain and charge for plans necessary to obtain sign permits 2) subcontract all installations out to other construction contractors who are almost always looking for more work to cover their work comp overloads, and 3) make more profit
-------------------- Tony Segale Segale Fine Art & Gold Leaf Sign Co Lodi, CA www.tonysegale.com
""and he took that golden hair and made a sweater for baby bear" Posts: 216 | From: Lodi,CA,USA | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I haven't "installed" a single sign in over 10 years. Why bother? There are all sorts of people who are experienced and have the equipment to do it. I just add their cost to the job with a mark-up.
I do do all my own "installs" on boats and trucks and pick-ups and vans and trailers though.
"Work smart, not hard"
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
This IS assinine. Sounds like some city-committee-guy created a job for some home-boy who needed SOMETHING to do.
What ever happened to the simple and straight-forward 'call-b-4-U-dig' campaigne?
I'm like Si. Anytime I deal with MORE bull it's going to gereate MORE $$$ into my pocket.
SOMEONE'S GONNA PAY. lol
Ya know, Gene . . . depending on what type of sign it is 2ft MIGHT not even be deep enough!. . . I think I would have an extra charge for having to dig holes NOT deep enough to sufficiently support the sign!
Stack up a bunch'a paper to look like a catalogue the first page being a wind-load chart and require the alleged 'inpsector' to read and sign your disclaimer saying they will pay for any and all expenses incured from repairs you might have to make due to the inadequate installation procedure they require. Demand their attention to YOUR inspection requirements!!
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Bash]](graemlins/bash.gif)
![[For Your Information]](graemlins/fyi.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic