Build a Wall - Not So Easy - This is Our Story, What Do You Think?

Written by Posted On Monday, 24 July 2017 23:00
Build a Wall - Not So Easy. Build a Wall - Not So Easy. Real Estate lawyers in Los Angeles Gate and Fence Company

As far back as I can remember myself, even as a child, I dreamed of having a big house situated in a luxurious neighborhood like Beverly Hills, Bel Air or Malibu. I always thought life would be easier when you are at the top. Well, some things did turn out to be a smooth ride and some, not so much. My wife and I bought our first dream home in Beverly Hills 15 years ago, and since we are two of the best Real Estate lawyers in Los Angeles, our options were not limited. As we moved in, the house was almost new, we only made some minor changes to the landscape and re-painted a couple of rooms but overall we were very satisfied with the way the house was originally. No fences or walls on the front or side of the property, we were wide open to those who would cross our border. Last year we decided it was Time to Build a Wall. Not like the wall our government is planning to build on our border with Mexico but, one which will reinstate our privacy once again and look great with our loving home. We've looked around for options and decided to go with two contractors for the job, one Gate and Fence Company and the second, a masonry contractor. Both came highly recommended and in time, we developed a very good relationship and put together a well defined contract. At first, our plan was to build a 6 foot tall decorative iron fence wall, along the side and front of the house. Each side of our driveway entry will be equipped with a brand new sliding gate with automated motor. All was working well, we got in-touch with the City to prepare for the job permit, received a formal letter describing the distance and height limitations we are to follow. At the last minute, I decided I want to change the four iron posts on each side on the sliding gates to 24 x 24 pilasters (concrete rectangular columns). We met again with both our contractors to personally deliver our recent change of heart and then, we were back on track. Our gate guy offered to draw the plan for us to save time and money, we obliged and so he did, along with making the trip to Beverly Hills City Hall to apply for a permit. Turns out, building a wall on our border with Mexico would be a much easier task than a wall in Beverly Hills California.

 

The city requested we ignore the original so called "official guidelines" and go by the new set of measurements and percentages to situate the front fence, gate and pilasters. After paying an astonishing large sum of money for the permit (if you must know it was $1800.00, compare the same permit pulled in Van Nuys, Burbank or any other city in the San Fernando Valley, the bill will not go over $300.00). We had our masonry contractor Jim, re-do all his measurements and markings to begin digging for the foundation and electrical lines.  Jim and his team made things happen and in three days, the perfectly dug holes and iron reinforcement bars were placed perfectly in place, just as the city instructed and approved on the plan we submitted.

 

Fourth day arrives and we call for an appointment with the City Inspector, to approve the first stage of the job. Alex, our fence and gate contractor, and Jim, were both at the house ready for the inspector. I was at my law office in Century City working on a big Real Estate case when I got a text message from Alex saying " We didn't pass inspection, the inspector says the measurement guidelines are all wrong. Need to move everything 6 feet towards the house." As soon as I finished the meeting with my clients, I got on a conference call with Alex and Jim.  "Our plan was approved and signed by the city, and now all of the sudden it is all wrong?" Alex said with a bit of an angry tone. Then, Jim said " I've never seen anything like that!" with total disappointment.  We decided to proceed with caution, visit the City of Beverly Hills and bring our case to them, with the hopes that this is just a miss understanding and we can all get back to work. Alex made the trip, sat with the head city inspector and what we found out was, we have no choice but to push the entire front fence 6 feet towards the house.

 

No one in the city was willing to take responsibility for their misleading and unprofessional work.

 

The next morning, Jim got back to work, digging all the foundation wholes and electric conduits trenches all over again, setting up everything up again, only 6 feet closer to the house. Thankfully, this time the ground was not filled with roots and obstacles as the first time. 

 

We called the inspector to come out and check our work, this time….. we passed.

 

Alex sent me a text of the good news and also mentioned that the inspector, who was the same one as during the first inspection, was not as strict as he was the first time. He stepped out of his car, looked around for a few moments, spoke a few words with both Alex and Jim, signed the approval and then left. Very strange if you ask me.

 

There is one more thing I should share with you, we were not sure how, but one of our neighbors, few houses down the street, had four (4) 7 foot tall pilasters and fence located much closer the street than we had ours. We did not mentions this fact to the inspector, thinking it might cause an issue for our neighbor, but thoughts and dilemmas come to mind, how did they manage to pull off such a task?

 

Five days after the approval day, concrete was poured and dried - all looked good, the electrician made a stop to make sure all conduits and wires are in good shape and to make a few preparations for the final steps. 

At this point we called the inspector to approve the second stage before we can have the pilasters build over the concrete foundation. He arrived only a week later (another delay) and passed with no issues.

 

All four pilasters were ready for stucco in less than two days, ready to move forward but, we had a small issue to resolve. The far right pilaster was standing one (1) foot below the rest because the landscape of that section was lower than the rest. It was the small section where we planned to have as our exit gate. The driveway goes from the house down in a steep angle to the street. We had to find a way to fix this issue so our entire front gate and fence look “normal” - in a straight line. This means that this far right pilaster will be 7 feet off the ground rather than the "legal" 6 foot. The inspector was due to stop by again for another inspection and we were hoping for an easy solution. Far from it - The inspector said " I'm sorry but these are the guidelines, if you want, you can go to the city and speak with the supervisor". So , to the supervisor we went. But this time, I made the trip, 6 am at Beverly Hills City Hall. Thankfully, my team at the law office didn't need my presence for two existing cases. The supervisor took the time to listen and view the images and plan we submitted. At the end, after long 3 hours of waiting and each speaking our minds, he (the supervisor) said the following:  " We will assemble a committee to discuss your issue and, report back to you once a conclusion is reached".  Wow, I was shocked and flattered at the same time, I mean, a committee? for my pilaster? 

 

Two weeks passed, and then, we got the results. The committee requested that we build a one (1) foot tall planter around the pilaster which will then enable us to add one foot to our existing pilaster. Jim got straight to work the following morning. Measuring, digging, building and  wallah, the planter was erected and the pilaster is now one foot taller. Now, it is time to get the inspector, and approve the job so we can finally get things moving. Before I continue with my story, let me ask you this: Do you think we've done our job and will get the green light by the city to continue?. I'm sorry, but, No!

 

Alex made the trip to the city with all the details - plans, pictures, approvals all of the fun paperwork we piled up since we decided to build "The Great Wall of China". It was a Monday; I was in a middle of a complex real estate dispute case defending a landlord from illegal actions of a major bank. Alex sent me a text asking me to call him when I am available, which I did, but only later that afternoon. During our conversation, I quickly understood that we had a problem. Alex was frustrated and upset, he said that the Beverly Hills Inspector now want us to increase the height of the entire area to the right of the driveway, which basically means they void their initial so called "solution" of the planter. We called in the inspector and the supervisor to our house for a Friday morning meeting along with Jim and Alex. 

 

The night before, I share with my wife that more and more, this project is turning into one of those Seinfeld shows. Friday morning, every one arrived at 8 except for our two inspectors, who made it at 8;43. I was eager to get this over with and made sure they understood that this will-not and cannot continue with complete negligence of their part. In other words, I am ready to engage in legal proceedings against the City of Beverly Hills. 

 

The inspectors both took the time to go over all the paper work and, the work done so far. 35 minutes passed and we had a formal agreement with a detailed description and a sketch (in their own hand writing) that all we need to do, is in increase the soil level 6 inches off the current level and we will be good to complete the job through the final inspection. 

 

At the end, our fence, pilasters, lighting and electrical gate motors, were all installed and are looking great! 

 

It should have taken about two months, no more, but thanks to City’s incompetence, it took SIX MONTHS and five days to complete the project and get the final city inspection signed.

Hallelujah !!

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