July 22, 2015, Lawrence, MA- Within the last five months, the City of Lawrence Inspectional Services Department has issued citations to over a dozen contractors doing work in Lawrence for conducting illegal construction projects on numerous properties throughout the city. These contractors were cited due to their lack of applying for proper permits before the construction began.
“This is a public safety issue. Unpermitted work can mean structurally unsound work,” said Mayor Daniel Rivera. “Our inspectors are out in full force. Whenever they see a job being done illegally, the project will be shut down until proper permitting is obtained.” Without proper permitting, insurance claims put forth by property owners are not covered.
Citations issued over the last five months range from illegal roofing jobs to interior alterations and fire alarm work. A large factor in this problem is the lack of information to residents. Residents need to know that when they hire a contractor for a home improvement job, that contractor needs to pull a building permit from the city. “We are starting to see more and more illegal construction as the summer goes on,” said Inspectional Services Director Pat Ruiz.
“Contractors agree to do jobs at times when they think our inspectors are not out surveying properties (specifically on the weekends), and that is how we have been catching them. We want these contractors to understand that pulling a permit is not negotiable, it is mandatory.” The top home improvement jobs that residents do not know they need permitting for include:
1. Roofing
2. Building of porches and decks
3. Interior home upgrades (kitchens, bathrooms)
4. Electrical Work
5. Plumbing
6. Pool Installations (both above ground and in-ground)
