In many country places no attempt is made to control the construction of houses; you just decide what you want to build and go ahead. Most cities and a large number of counties have an agency, often known as the Department of Building and Safety, to regulate construction. Before you start to build, you are required to get a building permit. The cost of the permit is usually based on the cost of the house, or on the area of the floor, the number of plumbing fixtures, the number of gas and electric outlets, and sometimes on other features. When you get your per­mit, be sure to ask for a pamphlet setting forth the building requirement. If you study this carefully and follow it, you will have little or no trouble with the inspector, who will visit the job when certain parts are completed to give his approval to the work as far as it has progressed.

The usual inspection periods are about as fol­lows: when the excavation is completed, the inspec­tor should see it before the concrete is poured or cast. Then when the frame is completed, including the roof framing, the framing should be approved before the electric wiring is begun. It is also a good idea to have the heat ducts completed before the wiring is begun, as you may get a wire where the duct must go; the wire can usually find an alternate route, but the heat ducts must go directly from the furnace to the register or vice versa. Often the ground plumbing is done early in the construction. It can be done before or during the framing, or after the framing is complete.

The inspector will give the place a very com­plete inspection when everything is ready for the roofing, the plaster, or wall covering. Nothing must be covered up before the inspector has had a chance to see and approve it.

When a part is ready for inspection, you call the inspector who will usually come the next day to look it over. If he delays too long, the time limit is given in most building codes, you can go ahead with­out his approval; but he usually keeps within his time limits. It is not advisable to incur his ill-will unnec­essarily, as there are always technicalities he can find to hinder you if he wishes.