Why do new homes cost so much in Seattle

Parent Cafe
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<p>[Real</a> Estate | UW study: Rules add $200,000 to Seattle house price | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004181704_eicher14.html]Real”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004181704_eicher14.html)</p>

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<p>It’s wider than just the city of Seattle. I wanted to add a 12x16 foot deck to my house – replacing an existing deck that had rotted – and was told by the King County planning department that I would have to fill out FOURTEEN forms, including a wastewater plan, and pay “about” $600-700 for an “initial” plan review at some unspecified future date (“we’d probably be able to review them in a few weeks or months”). They wouldn’t guarantee how much the permit would cost, whether that initial review would be the only one I would need, or exactly what the technical requirements for a deck are in King County. Other counties in other states have simple, online construction guides and fees in the range of less than $100. I can’t even imagine what would be involved if I wanted to add on a family room or bathroom.</p>

<p>I won’t tell you how I solved this problem.</p>

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<p>ROFL WASH - bet I can figure it out LOL - and we probably did the same :)</p>

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<p>Your secret is safe with me.</p>

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This bureaucracy isn’t just costly - it’s dangerous. Because of it, how many people will will just keep using their existing rotting deck far longer than they should and end up getting hurt or even killed as a result?</p>

<p>I thought most places would allow one to replace an existing deck and only need to go after the 14 or so forms if they were planning to extend it or change it significantly. Do you suppose I should have checked before I demolished and replaced my own deck myself?</p>

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<p>Here - if one wants to REPLACE anything - it requires a building permit AND inspection (for a deck that also includes a pumping of a septic system as well - FOR A DECK replacement - geeez!!!) - want a new toilet bowl?? - want to go by code now and replace old one for a new low h20 one - gotta go to town hall and start the process - or do magic (or midnite :)) reconstruction LOL - poof it is all done.</p>