I’m a journeyman-level carpenter, a mason, and I’ve written about construction for a few years now. I was once very scared of the permit process. After years in the construction business, I cannot remember anyone ever complain about how hard it is to build a foundation the right way. But permits, bureaucracy, inspectors – these are the stuff of legendary frustration. I cannot remember any contractor I’ve worked for, any architect I’ve interviewed, nearly anyone at all who did not have at least one tale of ridiculous plan reviewers or insane inspectors costing them time and money.

My grandfather still gets red in the face relating how the building inspector delayed and destroyed his schedule when he built his own house in the ’40s.

I was only planning a 225-square-foot addition, a second bedroom on our one-bedroom house. I knew I could build it without problems. But our budget was unusually small, and I’d given up a steady income for the next two months to build it. I thought, as I began drafting plans, that I really should have gotten a permit approved before I had the boss arrange a three-month replacement for me at work.

I’m writing now to tell you, as a do-it-yourselfer, don’t be scared of the permit process. Be wary, budget time and money for unexpected requests from the city. But on the whole, I believe you can expect a positive experience.

That positive experience is called homeowner night.

Every Thursday from 5 to 7:30 PM plan reviewers and inspectors are on staff to answer your stupid questions, with a smile. And they actually do seem to enjoy it. On homeowner night, officially called “Residential Permit Night,” there are no contractors and no frantic pace. I was in several times while planning my addition, and I called the office with questions several more times while I was building.

It’s free consultation from real pros – or at least it is free until you actually purchase your building permit. My building permit cost me about $750 – actually more than the foundation did. But I look at that permit cost as a bargain. I didn’t hire an engineer. I didn’t hire an architect. I didn’t hire anybody – but for $750 I got all my questions answered and six site visits from a trained professional building inspector who made certain I’d done everything right.

I’m not recommending you do everything yourself, but if you are thinking of doing anything yourself – or even just learning more so that you can monitor what happens as professionals remodel your home – a good place to get started is Homeowner Night.

PORTLAND – Residential Permit Night

Homeowner Night aka Residential Permit Night runs Thursday evenings from 5 to 7:30 PM. No appointment is necessary. The Development Services Center is on the first floor in Room 1500 at 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave. Parking is available under the building.

Another good place for information is the Office of Planning and Development Review’s website at: www.opdr.ci.portland.or.us. There are brochures and a good sampling of information online.