Does anyone know if it's legal

[Bronwyn]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

 

[itsbob]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

It's legal to walk through any building anywhere under construction....


right up to that very moment...


where you get caught..

 

[Bronwyn]

It's legal to walk through any building anywhere under construction....


right up to that very moment...


where you get caught..

That helps!

 

[chernmax]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

Looks like some of my New York buddies have settled in Southern Maryland...

 

[tikipirate]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

Putting on my barrister wig... (Who am I kidding? I wear it around the house all day long.) Why are you asking the question?

If you are having a house built, either on your own deeded land, or as tract housing in a subdivision, the builder should be cool with you doing an occasional walk-through, as long as it doesn't impede his progress. The tract housing situation is legally iffy, especially if you get injured, but if you own the land, the builder is there at your pleasure.

If I had a home under construction, I would at the very least accompany the inspectors as they sign off the various stages of work. And I would show up at 2PM a couple of times a week with a plate of cookies or a party-size sub. Buy the framers/rockers and other subs a case of cold ones at quitting time once in a while.

So, again, why are you asking the question? Not that this applies to you of course, but it seems to me that a lot of couples like to 'break in' the bedroom before the roof is up.

 

[OrneryPest]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

Yes it is completely legal as long as you're not in the way of the workmen. In fact, the bank that holds your building loan escrow account will probably require you to do a walk-through inspection immediately preceding each progress payment. Some subcontractors (electricians, for instance) will require you to go through and mark where you want stuff (switches and outlets, for instance).

One restriction is that if you want to start locking up the building before completion you've gotta provide sets of keys to the head boss builder and all the active subcontractors.

 

[willie]

Some builders will forbid anyone not authorized by him to be in the building, and it may even be written into the contract. If you have dealt with the homebuying public for any amount of time, you would know why.

 

[Bronwyn]

Putting on my barrister wig... (Who am I kidding? I wear it around the house all day long.) Why are you asking the question? QUOTE]

I ask because where I work there is a new building being built. It's almost done and I wanted to walk through it and check it out, see where my new office is, etc. One of my co-workers told me that I would be tresspassing if I did. He said that until the builder hands the keys over to our boss, it's technically not ours. So I was just wondering if he was right? I am going to ask the boss about it, but he's on vacation for two weeks, so I thought I'd get some input in the meantime...

 

[willie]

Putting on my barrister wig... (Who am I kidding? I wear it around the house all day long.) Why are you asking the question? QUOTE]

I ask because where I work there is a new building being built. It's almost done and I wanted to walk through it and check it out, see where my new office is, etc. One of my co-workers told me that I would be tresspassing if I did. He said that until the builder hands the keys over to our boss, it's technically not ours. So I was just wondering if he was right? I am going to ask the boss about it, but he's on vacation for two weeks, so I thought I'd get some input in the meantime...

The worst they would do is tell you to get out. Go take a peek.

 

[Bronwyn]

The worst they would do is tell you to get out. Go take a peek.

That's what another co-worker told me later this morning. He said that the police would have to be called on me, a warning issued... etc. I was there after all the workers had gone home for the day. I finally figured that the whole "tresspassing" issue really isn't a big issue.

 

[Suz]

To walk through a building under construction if it's on your property? Someone told me that it's tresspassing unless the building has been turned over to the owners? This is in Calvert County, if that makes any differance.
Thanks for any info.

When our home was under construction 5 1/2 years ago on OUR property (construction loan also) we walked through and 'visited' our dream every single day. We have hundreds of pictures of every beam, stud, brick. Our builder welcomed it. And yes, when it was cold we brought hot coffee, subs whatever for the crew working that day.

But some Home Builders do not like it at all. The builder finishing out my neighborhood definitely does not like it. We are of the opinion that those who don't want you visiting are apparently afraid you might find something you wouldn't like, that may have passed county inspection. So we avoided those builders.

 

[Midnightrider]

When our home was under construction 5 1/2 years ago on OUR property (construction loan also) we walked through and 'visited' our dream every single day. We have hundreds of pictures of every beam, stud, brick. Our builder welcomed it. And yes, when it was cold we brought hot coffee, subs whatever for the crew working that day.

But some Home Builders do not like it at all. The builder finishing out my neighborhood definitely does not like it. We are of the opinion that those who don't want you visiting are apparently afraid you might find something you wouldn't like, that may have passed county inspection. So we avoided those builders.

they don't like it b/c they carry the lability if something happens to you while you are on the construction site. that is the biggest issue

 

[Magnum]

I work for a GC, we do not allow people to wander through our buildings. While under construction they are our buildings. Thats how it's supposed to go. We will allow owners walk the spaces, they first must fill out and sign waivers. It's all a safety and liability issue. In our Condo building I had problems with owners sneaking in after hours, I installed cameras tie to a monitoring company that would dispatch the police. There were tons of thefts from the project, that stopped when a few people got arrested

 

[vanbells]

If there are signs posted that read No Trespassing, then don't.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I work for a GC, we do not allow people to wander through our buildings. While under construction they are our buildings. Thats how it's supposed to go. We will allow owners walk the spaces, they first must fill out and sign waivers. It's all a safety and liability issue. In our Condo building I had problems with owners sneaking in after hours, I installed cameras tie to a monitoring company that would dispatch the police. There were tons of thefts from the project, that stopped when a few people got arrested

Ed Zachary!!! Even if you own the land the building is built on, there are OSHA and General Contractor regulations that have to be followed. Hard hats, safety glasses, orange visibility vests, work boots etc. must be worn. There's many places in a commercial building where you can be severely injured or killed if you don't know what you're doing.

Ask for an escorted tour.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I ask because where I work there is a new building being built. It's almost done and I wanted to walk through it and check it out, see where my new office is, etc. One of my co-workers told me that I would be tresspassing if I did. He said that until the builder hands the keys over to our boss, it's technically not ours. So I was just wondering if he was right? I am going to ask the boss about it, but he's on vacation for two weeks, so I thought I'd get some input in the meantime...

If it's almost done, it's probably fairly safe, however, you still have no right (or business) being in there. I'm really surprised it's not locked. They still have liability and you would be trespassing.

 

[saddlemount]

I work for a GC, we do not allow people to wander through our buildings. While under construction they are our buildings. Thats how it's supposed to go. We will allow owners walk the spaces, they first must fill out and sign waivers. It's all a safety and liability issue. In our Condo building I had problems with owners sneaking in after hours, I installed cameras tie to a monitoring company that would dispatch the police. There were tons of thefts from the project, that stopped when a few people got arrested

I'm reading some interesting perspectives on this issue. I certainly understand and agree with the safety concerns listed by the builders. I myself would have a stroke if some 70-year old grandma started meandering around while I had heavy equipment in operation. However, as a former mason I'm also acquainted with some of the goings-on (i.e., shortcuts) that can happen in construction. Setting commercial construction aside, if I'm having a home built, the builder better allow me access, and I'd insist on that being in the contract. However, clearly if I get injured I could not hold him liable.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Setting commercial construction aside, if I'm having a home built, the builder better allow me access, and I'd insist on that being in the contract. However, clearly if I get injured I could not hold him liable.

New homes are completely different. You certainly should be able to walk your new home.