Measure gives Ore. do-it-yourselfers more leeway

Oregon residents would face fewer restrictions on do-it-yourself home improvements under a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that loosens permitting requirements, but opponents say construction done without permits can be dangerous.

If Measure 63 were to pass, residents would not have to obtain permits for home improvement projects valued at $35,000 or less.

Oregon contractors and public safety officials say the idea is dangerous because do-it-yourselfers could jeopardize the structural safety of their homes by removing certain walls and create other unintended safety hazards.

"There've been firefighters killed throughout the nation in uninspected remodels," said Kelly Bach, president of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council. "We rely on those types of inspections."

Electrical work would still have to be performed or approved by a licensed electrical contractor. Opponents say that's not enough.

"This measure would open up a huge loophole into a well-established and well-tested safety mechanism," said Phil Peach, the president of Oregon Remodelers Association.

Bill Sizemore, the man behind the measure, dismisses their concerns; he said he has built enough safeguards into the measure.

The $35,000 mark _ which opponents call arbitrary _ was set, Sizemore said, to make sure that the additions aren't so large as to present safety problems. People would also be barred from adding additional stories without a permit. Also, any improvements done without a permit would have to be disclosed to potential buyers.

"It's not right to criminalize making improvements to your own home," Sizemore said. "Thousands of people are doing this type of remodeling every day."