Opinions on word definitions

[Emily]

I'm looking for opinions, not dictionary definitions 'cuz I already lookied them up ;)

If someone asked you what the difference between maintenance and renovations are, what would you say?

Yeah, I have to write a reply to a letter from the county building inspector 'cuz we started some work without pulling a permit. "Renovations" need a permit, "maintenance" doesn't, and no, the county hasn't officially defined the terms. (I bet you can guess which one I think I am doing...lol! :D) So your replies may help me word the letter in a way dictionary.com can't.

TIA!

[Meya]

When I think of maintainance, I think of "maintaining" something in the same way it's been. Repairing broken parts, but not changing. Like fixing the hinges and knobs in the kitchen, but not replacing them or updating them. We "maintained" our old kitchen for years.

Renovating brings to mind major changes and upgrades. When we "renovated" our kitchen, we tore out the old stuff, down to the walls, and put in all new cupboards, sink, etc.

It's the difference between "maintaining" and "redoing".

[tekobari]

Yes, I'm with Meya. "Renovating" means something new--hence the re-"nova," from the Latin. If you're not changing anything, it's maintenance. Adding plants to an established landscape is tricky--what percentage are new plantings and what is keeping the old? I think it's the same with a house. Putting in new fixtures, on your sink, rather than repairing the old, isn't a renovation. But tearing out the old sink, and the tile around it, then putting in new ones, is renovating.

[newslady]

I agree with Meya and Tek's definitions. Doing maintenance is maintaining,the routine upkeep, while renovations require changes to what currently exists.

[Therp]

In general (IMNSH Opinion :D) Maintaining would be keeping something in a usable condition, whereas renovating would be doing something to improve the aesthetic value, improving appearance rather than function. I would think that changing out an old non-efficient refridgerator for a new (much nicer looking) energy efficient model would come under maintenance, because all you're doing is keeping the functionality at a usable level. :D

[Kiheicat]

maintenance = upkeep; doing what is necessary to maintain

renovate = change

[Emily]

Okay, this is good. You guys are very helpful. Here is what I wrote, what do you think?

--------------------------------------------------

Xxxxx X. Cxxxx, Local Inspector
Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program
425 Main Street, Suite 25
Greenfield, MA 01301-3313

August 20, 2005


Dear Mr. Cxxxxx,

Thank you for the letter we received Friday, August 19th. In it you wrote “It has come to our attention that you may have porch renovations at 8xx Bxxxxxxxxx Road in Axxxx...”

You are correct that we have not applied for a permit as we were unaware that we needed one for maintenance. Our only plan was to paint the house this summer, but saw that a few things should be done prior to painting – repair broken shutters, replace a rotten bulkhead door, put in some clapboards where age and weather had damaged a few here and there, and nail down some loose floorboards on the east porch. Unfortunately, we discovered it was not the floorboards, but a support beneath them that had given way. So we were forced to remove the floorboards to firm up that support in order to keep the porch from deteriorating any further. We are putting the porch floor back together exactly the same size, shape, and appearance it had been, using as much of the original material as possible.

My husband and I are doing all of this ourselves (well, sometimes our 4 year old likes to “help”, too) when we are not at work, so it has taken longer than anticipated to finish getting the house painted. If we do in fact need a permit for fixing broken shutters, putting a metal bulkhead door in place of a rotten wood one, firming up a wobbly porch floor, and/or painting, please send us the appropriate forms. I have looked at the ones enclosed with your letter and do not see how those apply since they are for new construction, renovations, and change of use.

Thank you very much for your time and attention.


Sincerely,


Emily Robertson
8xx Bxxxxxxxxx Road
Axxxx, MA 0xxx0
413-xxx-xxxx

[newslady]

Emily,

Sounds good to me. I think it's good that you explained in detail why it may appear that you and your husband are undertaking a major renovation, when in fact, the maintenance and repairs require a little more work.

Good luck with your home project!

[Powerhouse]

Forget it - he represents a government entity therefore he is automatically correct regardless of the facts.
Prepare to get an attorney.

[Cartman]

maintenance = repair

renovation = upgrade

IMO


(letter was good)

http://www.therossshow.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Kiheicat]

You forgot the P.S. Bite Me :1chirol_r

[FLvamp]

While I see yor point and agree, I fear they will nail you (no pun intended) with the replacing a rotten wooden bulkhead with a metal one instance.

That's an upgrade and most likely will be construed as renovation. :(

[Emily]

Forget it - he represents a government entity therefore he is automatically correct regardless of the facts.
Prepare to get an attorney.

Oh, I agree entirely. I don't doubt we'll have to pull a permit because in Massachusetts you have to have one for everything - even inflatable kiddie pools. I'm just hoping to either stall until more work is done before a "stop work order" is issued and/or avoid a fine. It's absolutely true that all we wanted to do was paint the house. I just didn't go into much detail on exactly WHICH porch support was having problems...after we got the floorboards off the porch because there was nothing to nail them to, we found the cross pieces had fallen down because the house sill was totally rotten (I gotta say it lasted 232 years so that's not bad). We had to jack up the whole house and replace the sill, but when the house was jacked up part of the foundation crumbled...would that still quailfy as maintenance? lol It's not like we even knew any of these problems existed and had a plan in advance! Anyhow, DH and I have everything back together now except the porch floor. If you drove by today, the rest of the house looks just like it did in June. http://www.therossshow.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[wasabanker]

Although I can see your reasoning for the sill replacement and foundation work to be considered maintainance rather than rennovations, I fear the mere magnitude of those jobs may be the determining factor.

[TerrorEd]

"Unfortunately, we discovered it was not the floorboards, but a support beneath them that had given way. So we were forced to remove the floorboards to firm up that support in order to keep the porch from deteriorating any further."

You may not only need a permit, the inspector may need to physically view and approve the structural work performed. :1wall2:

Good luck with the local government! ;)

Ed.

[Emily]

UPDATE for anyone that cares ;)

I got a call from the building inspector who just rec'd my letter. He said I do need to file for a permit, but there will be no penalty, and he walked me through the forms telling me what to write down (practically nothing) and what to cross out (practically everything). There will be no inspection, and we can continue working on the porch in the meantime. http://www.therossshow.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Therp]

That's not too bad a result, I guess. I still think you shouldn't have needed a permit at all. :)

[Powerhouse]

Good. Glad to hear it didn't have to become a knock-down drag-out over it.

[mango man]

sounds like somebody complained

[Emily]

Yeah, Mango, that's the way it works out here. The inspector doesn't have time to drive around looking for infractions. Either someone turns you in, or an assessor comes out and notices a change since the last assessment.

Everyone who thinks town meeting is the "ideal" form of government has a screw loose. My dad, who has never been shy about expressing his opinion at Town Hall, gets reported for breathing, while a neighbor that isn't even registered to vote has practically rebuilt his entire house without ever getting a permit or being reported. If you own a business in town, opening your mouth about anything political can lose you half your customers. Ahhh - the price we pay for democracy. ;)