National Building Code of Canada

With 16 years of experience inspecting residential construction, I have ensured that contractors and home owners adhere to the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC).

Compliance with the NBCC is essential for the permitting process and for meeting the minimum standards of construction. As I am well versed in the code, I understand too well that there are "grey areas" and how it can be confusing at best. Reading code is not exactly easy reading. I've had the good fortune of being able to have a large scope of building officials with various experience, as well as experts in the fields of design, construction, and building science to bounce ideas and questions off of.

Even to this day, the best of us are asking questions and interpretations to the code based on our experiences. So in knowing this, even us, whose jobs and worlds are code focused, as a home owner or builder, I could understand you would have questions in the interpretations. I've helped several people apply for a permit on the City of Saskatoon webpage and I'm flabbergasted that they expect the common homeowner to know the answers to the questions they are asking. Do you know what part of code a residential building, 3 storeys or less, and less than 600 sq m falls into? Or lets say you are adding some space to your garage that you intend for living space; is that an addition or an alteration? Trying to get a permit can get muddled in the process and take more time than is required. That is where I can help. I actually really like the code. As I am no longer a Building Official with the City of Saskatoon, I've held a position doing field inspections in rural areas to keep up my knowledge and skills. I genuinely love code discussions and interpretations between colleges. Even a discussion with a respectful contractor can be quite enlightening. I enjoy hearing from different points of view, as long as you aren't rude about it; even if you've been doing something forever, doesn't mean its right.

I was the first female building inspector for the City of Saskatoon, out in field that is. I'm proud of that. Breaking barriers. It wasn't easy, but over the past twenty years I've seen more and more woman enter the construction industry, and prove themselves capable and worth being respected, and in turn it is more accommodating to a woman in the field.

If you are a homeowner or contractor and have questions about the design process, permit process, or inspection process, I can help, or if not, I probably know who to ask.