August 2001 Tiffy buys new property. April 2002 Tiffy's DH unable to find any worms on said property to go fishing after digging 14 holes. May 2002 Tiffy discovers S&C Forum and reads about used coffee grounds (UCGs) and composting and begins her quest. July 2002 Tiffy discovers a source for UCGs and starts picking up over 200 lbs per week. September 2002 Tiffy begins flinging UCGs on the lawn and in the new garden beds. Compost bins - 4 of them - were full. April 2003, DH digs 4 holes to acquire worms for fishing. Ucgs are flung throughout the summer and composted diligently with shredded leaves and seaweed and then applied to the gardens. June 2004, Tiffy shows DH that worms can be had by simply gently jiggling the base of her Coreopsis Domino plants. By doing so the worms will simply come out of the ground and the shovel can stay in the shed. The end...

Everyone has their own construction techniques. That's really something you need to weigh the pro's and con's of before you build (if your going to put much money into it). I've been there and done that for my situation. The easy answer isn't always the best, especially when money is an issue. My advice is to explore all your options, and ask as many questions as you can to those working at your local home improvement stores. Make them your friends, you will no doubt be relying on their advice (that's what their for). You may not always agree with them, or think they just want to sell products. But they are an invaluable tool for information on products, as well as how well they work for your use when they have the time to hear you out. Make them your friends. Almost all the employes at Lowe's, Home Depot, and ACE hardware know me by name, as well as ask how my greenhouse project is going as soon as they see me.

well, we've decided to go with our gut and get the permits. My friend (the GC) has no problems with doing that. And he understands my reasons for doing so. Being a small business owner, he's just on a bit of an anti-government rant lately, and sees the permit process as a government revenue grab.....he's a good guy, definitely not an idiot. He and all of the subs (plumber, electrician) are licensed and have no problem going the permit route. Funny note though........ My wife and I were watching HTV the other night. Watching the show "Holmes on Homes." Holmes is a contractor that goes around helping people out that get screwed over by shady contractors. He was helping a couple who basically had their whole house torn apart to be remodeled. Well, the contractor did some really really crappy work......all sorts of construction, plumbing and electrical code violations......and ALL of it (according to the show) had been approved by inspectors. "Holmes on Homes" ended up bascially ripping everything out and started from scratch.... With this permit debate issue in mind, my wife and I had a bit of a laugh when we saw that. thanks. mm

***IANAL**** He wants you to pull the permits because he knows A) the government will want his license # to issue a permit and he doesn't have one, but often homeowners don't need a license to do work themselves on their own property; and B) he knows that if the government sees his name they're going to come after him. It has nothing to do with what's "easier," it's about what enables him to break the law and scroo you, sorry! Please just fire this guy and find an honest contractor (I know it's very difficult to do so, sorry, but you really need to--the thought of the work he's done on your home scares me)! Absolutely do speak to an attorney, and to your local DA's office; this man has committed fraud against you by representing himself as a licensed contractor and representing the work he's done as permitted work. You *may* be able to sue to get your money back, and the DA may want to pursue charges against him. I am so sorry this has happened to you!!