Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually found the build part to be a bit more predictable than the paperwork—at least in my area. Permits here can drag on for months with zero updates, while once you break ground, you can usually keep things moving (even if it’s not always smooth). Maybe I’ve just had better luck with contractors, but I’d rather deal with a rain delay than a city inspector who ghosts your emails for weeks.
Maybe I’ve just had better luck with contractors, but I’d rather deal with a rain delay than a city inspector who ghosts your emails for weeks.
Man, you nailed it—permits are the real wild card. I’ve had projects where the build was smooth as butter, but the permit office? Felt like sending messages into a black hole. At least with rain, you know it’ll stop eventually... inspectors, not so much.
I hear you on the permit office black hole… had a client once who joked we should’ve just built the guest house out of cardboard for all the progress we made waiting on approvals. Ever tried getting a straight answer on setback rules? Sometimes I wonder if they make it up as they go. How’s your city with fees—are they charging you for every little thing or is it just the endless waiting game?
Fees are a whole saga on their own. Last time I tried to add a small ADU, the city charged me for “tree impact” even though there wasn’t a tree within 50 feet. The waiting is brutal, but those surprise line items really sting. Sometimes I think they just spin a wheel behind the counter...
Yeah, those random fees are wild. Last year, I budgeted for permits and utilities, but then got hit with a “public art contribution” fee—never saw that one coming. It’s like they invent new charges just to keep us guessing. Still, the long-term rental income usually makes it worth the hassle.
