Todd wrote:
Ok,

so I admit it. I messed up. I had the nerve to build a workshop in my
basement. Actually, all I needed to do was put up two partition walls,
to make a complete wood shop. Everything was fine. Until it came to
selling my house.

I failed inspection because the sill plates on my walls aren't pressure
treated - a moisture barrier is required. I know that If I had layed
roofing paper, or sheet metal, down on the floor where the sill was
going before putting the wall down, it would also have sufficed to
serve as a moisture barrier - my township has told me so.

This inspection... Commissioned by the buyer, looking to make sure
there are no drastic problems and that full disclosure is made?

They seem to have nailed you on a technicality but does it really become
a deal killer? I mean you can still sell the house and they are free to
buy it but, obviously, it means there's some expense involved if the
buyer is not willing to overlook it. Do you have a problem with
moisture in the basement?

If the buyer were me AND it "concerned" me, I'd probably just beat you
up a bit on the sales price, close on the house and then tear down the
damn wall(s) and enlarge the shop reusing the salvaged 2 x's and buying
3 or 4 2x4x12 pressure treated for the new sill plates, letting you pay
for my expanded shop AND a couple of power toolsg

Cut them a deal. Here's $500 in case you have a water problem and
decide to do something with it. These aren't structural walls are they?

As for getting the moisture barrier beneath a wall such as you
described? Well, that's why I suggested a bit of negotiation on the
price. I'm guessing you'd have better luck coming up with a sure-fire
plan for lasting peace in the Middle Eastg