We have bought a house a year ago and the owners never gave us a blueprint for the house and now we can't get in touch with them. Recently, we got a notice from the Dept of Buildings for an inspection when we were away. We want to make sure everything is according to the rules and regulations of DOB. To do that we need the blueprints for our house and I don't know where to get them. Can someone please tell me where I can get the blueprints from by myself?
Different government agencies go by different names depending on what state you are in. I'm guessing the Department of Buildings would be like a building inspector. The laws on what types of documents must be filed for your home also vary. Depending on where you are, state and local regulations, when your home was built and who built it, it would probably be best to check with your local property tax office first. (Whatever it's called) They should, at least, have a floor plan showing the overall dimensions of the home as well as the rooms in it. Room size, location. The type of construction etc. And it should show any out buildings or other structures on the property. This is the minimum they need to set your property taxes. I can't imagine they would have nothing on file in the tax office. It may even be that your locality requires a full set of blue prints. (I'm sure they'll charge you for copies) If you absolutely MUST have a set of blue prints, and the tax office doesn't have them, the only thing I can think of is to try and contact the previous owners, try to find out who built the house and contact them, or any other previous owners and see if they have what you need. I know that would be bothersome but outside of researching the history of the house to find the prints, I'm not sure what else you can do.
Typically, blueprints are the property of the architect who designed the house, and were filed with the building department when the house was built.
I'd get more details on why an inspection. Was it lack of remodeling permits, conversion to an illegal 2 family, etc. Without this info no one can even tell you if blueprints are needed.
I'd get more details on why an inspection. Was it lack of remodeling permits, conversion to an illegal 2 family, etc. Without this info no one can even tell you if blueprints are needed.