Building in Timberon (Santa Fe, Alamo, Cloudcroft: house, tornadoes, inspector)

[mtncat]

Yes, Alamogordo is a MESS with their building/electrical inspectors and their building code in general. This only applies to Alamogordo though. Anything outside the city limits is covered by the state who for the most part has all their ducks in a row.

[Apache Flats]

Thanks for the responses about the building situation in Timberon. We are getting the water, electric, and driveway taken care of right now. We will be coming to Timberon in March - hopefully with proper licenses and so on. We are really excited about our own little piece of the mountain.

Apache Flats

[Apache Flats]

Thanks for all the good info on building in New Mexico. Another question.
Has anyone had experience with the permit process? Can you do it all online and my mail or does it require that you visit the local state office. And do you have to have all the drawings completed up front.

[egglady]

Has anyone had experience with the permit process? Can you do it all online and my mail or does it require that you visit the local state office. And do you have to have all the drawings completed up front.

Hi Apache Flats, welcome to Timberon!
We are also in the process of building a home up here (chilegal mentioned us back on page 1 of this thread). We are doing it Owner-Builder which means hubby is doing a lot of of the work himself with another worker, and hiring licensed contractors for whatever is necessary (plumbing, electrical, mechanical etc). I just showed him your question about the permits . . .

It's best to go down in person to the office in Las Cruces with all your drawings and lot information (such as lot numbers, overview, drainage, any existing buildings or septic lines). If you are doing it as an owner-builder, they will ask you to answer a questioneer that says you are familiar with NM building codes, and any laws regarding employees you hire for general labor. It's good to have home insurance (called 'Dwelling In The Course Of Construction' ) to cover materials and accident/medical for uninsured workers.

Go to the CID website and you can download most everything you will need, paperwork, permits, rules and regs. New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department

Yes you do have to have the drawings (red-stamped by an engineer) showing square footage, inside and outside including any outside decks. They will come up with an evaluation of what your home is worth, which will determine the price on the permit.

Also (this may have been mentioned before, but) there is a requirement in NM that you must have at least half or 3/4 acres of land to put in a standard septic. If your lot is smaller than a half acre the septic will cost more because you have to put in some sort of advanced system (expensive) unit.
So check out the septic requirements for your area.

Hubby says you are welcome to come by the site and check it out or pick his brain. Lots of people drop by, it's kinda cool If you want to send me a Direct Message (click on my username), I'll give you directions to the house.

[Apache Flats]

Thank you for your reply, your information was helpful. We will be in Timberon in March. I plan to have my drawings finished by then and seek a permit. Yes, I would like to come by while we are there. I have a platt map so if you can give me your lot number we can find you. We are located out at the end of Hoover Drive.

Thanks R. Mc Bride

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by mtncat

Yes, Alamogordo is a MESS with their building/electrical inspectors and their building code in general. This only applies to Alamogordo though. Anything outside the city limits is covered by the state who for the most part has all their ducks in a row.

As I last understood it, Alamo is now going with the state codes.

As I also understood it, the existing codes for Alamo were no better nor worse than the state's.....just different.

Right or wrong? Politics? I'm asking because I really don't know.

[mtncat]

Cathy, politics plays a part. Some of the problem is that no body seemed to know exactly what set of codes they were going with. You get one inspector and they would sign off on a part, next inspection and you get a different inspector and they would flag something that the previous inspector approved.
Not sure who is in charge at this point in time. In recent past they had a person in charge who had NO knowledge of construction BUT she had the political pull (and looks) to get the job!

[egglady]

Originally Posted by Apache Flats

Thank you for your reply, your information was helpful. We will be in Timberon in March. I plan to have my drawings finished by then and seek a permit. Yes, I would like to come by while we are there. I have a platt map so if you can give me your lot number we can find you. We are located out at the end of Hoover Drive.

Thanks R. Mc Bride

That's a good time of year to start. We started breaking ground in April, and had lots of nice sunny work days at that time of year. Right now the mornings are collllllddddd, but it warms up around 9-ish.
I sent you a Direct Message with our location.
Looking forward to meeting you in March!

Nan

[chilegal]

Nan,
Look Cheryl up this week, she is on Winter just past Pioneer.
Wish I was up there, cold or not..LOL
Jane

[egglady]

Hi Jane (waving) willdo!