After having a few problems with my new house (build by a contractor) and dealing with City of Edmonton inspectors if you're doing the development yourself and know what you're doing I see little value in an permit/inspection. Having a contractor doing it definitely, because you
might have recourse if something goes wrong.
Never heard of anyones insurance being void if there was a problem with no inspection and all that will happens is your taxes will go up.
If you do go the permit route drawings are not big deal, basically a sketch on 1/4" graph paper is all they're looking for (at least in Edm). The Edmonton City site has some good links and I assume Calgary would have same.
http://http://edmonton.ca/portal/ser...ent+Permit.htm
http://http://edmonton.ca/portal/ser...0/basement.pdf
Now my rant time with inspectors though
- The Safety (Occupancy) Inspector was on site when I was at the house, signed the deck off (railing height, spacing between spindles okay) although all the lumber was still on the ground in a bundle. Also sighed off ready to occupy though only heat was a electric space heater and no hot water as no gas meter
- Vapour barrier was just run up the just above the top of the studs in the basement (not over the insulation in the joist cavities nor secured to the subfloor). I removed some of the batting and found mould, contacted the builder told was passed by the City. Called the City, they came over and was told yes the vapour barrier was not correct but I had high humidity and though the vapour barrier was not installed correctly I told I was naive if I expected to have everything to code. Ended up talking to his supervisor, told if I wanted to be a a$$hole and pursue it I would need the hire a engineer and submit a report. Then told since it was a not to code and they had a record of the defect and they knew the builder wouldn't do anything they would them come after me until it was done to their complete satisfaction.