Getting Started
First 8-weeks
Once you have been selected to participate in Napa EBB you have eight weeks to hire a contractor or decide do the work yourself as an owner-builder, and get a building permit.
If you choose to go with a contractor you must choose from the Contractor Directory and obtain a minimum of two bids. The Directory provides licensed contractors who are educated in seismic retrofitting in your area. Once you choose a contractor from the Directory you may authorize them to upload required documents on your behalf. You can do this from your online Homeowner Dashboard.
If you choose to use a contractor, the CSLB website has information on consumer resources including how to select a licensed and qualified contractor, checking a contractor license, negotiating contracts for work to be done, preventing and resolving disputes, and how to obtain a building permit.
If you choose to do the work yourself, you will identify yourself as an owner-builder. As an owner-builder, you become the
SUGGESTED STEPS & timeline for CONTRACTOR SELECTION & PERMIT PHASE
(8 weeks)
- Week 1: Call 3 licensed contractors and schedule appointments
- Weeks 2-4: Meet with contractors and receive bids
- Week 5: Review/compare all bids, select a contractor
- Weeks 6-7: Contractors, in most cases, will get a building permit for you
- Week 8: Upload permit information to your Homeowner Dashboard.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: Your building permit MUST reference "in accordance with..." an accepted standard "Plan Set" or "Chapter A3."]
As a
- Familiarize yourself with retrofit works that qualifies. (click here)
- If using a contractor the Homeowner must obtain a minimum of two bids.
- Obtain a building permit for seismic retrofit work in accordance with Chapter A3 or a standard plan set. If your house has cripple walls greater than 4-feet then you will need an engineered solution. In most cases, contractors will go to the building department and get a permit for you.
- Enter the permit information to your homeowner dashboard.
[IMPORTANT NOTE: Your building permit MUST reference "in accordance with..." an accepted standard "Plan Set" or "Chapter A3."]
- Initiate and complete the work within the specified timeframe.
- Collect and submit the required documentation and upload it to your Homeowner Dashboard:
- receipts for building permit fee
- receipts for materials and supplies (if owner-builder)
- contractor invoice broken out by labor, materials, overhead and profit
- Page of Permit showing "Description" or "Scope of Work" [IMPORTANT: Your permit must reference "in accordance with Chapter A3" or a "standard plan set" and must be uploaded to Homeowner Dashboard prior to work beginning]
- 3 photographs of the front of your house [uploaded to Homeowner Dashboard prior to work beginning]
- 3 photographs of the crawl space and
cripple wall before the retrofit [uploaded to Homeowner Dashboard prior to work beginning] - 3 photographs after the retrofit work is completed
- 3 photographs of your properly braced and strapped water heater [new for 2016]
- signed building permit after the work is completed
PERMIT INFORMATION
The requirements for building permits may vary between local building departments. For instance, most building departments have a time limit for permits. Homeowners should check with their local building department to find out more information.
Northern California Permits