I am in the middle of a room addition. The addition includes a new door that opens to the back yard. The plans which have been approved by the city show the door opening inwards to the inside. We wanted a French door but the contractor brought a solid door. Then they brought a metal French door which my wife hated but the plans showed the door being a wooden French door. Now the have a door that they say opens outward because the city code requires the door to open outwards.

I supsect that they just bought a left hand door rather than a right hand door and are now trying to make do. I called the city and they said no problem either way.

Now the contractor wants me to sign something that says that if doesn't pass inspection because of "in vs. out" that It will be my responsibility. I don't have a problem with signing this but I am annoyed that they've put me through this and I don't believe their excuse that "most cities" have a requirement that doors to the outside open outwards. Is that excuse plausible?

Other than this issue they have been pretty honest and have done a great job. Otherwise I would just assume they are lying. Thanks for your help.

I think it is a very strict requirement that doors open out in any public building. On the other hand, most residences I can think of, have doors that open inward.

My wife very astutely pointed out that if you had a residential requirement that doors open outward then how could you put up a screen door unless the screen door was inside and opened to the inside. Thanks for your input.