If you are in the process of doing home improvements in your home, you should make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary building permits before starting the remodel project. There are some home improvement projects, such as painting that do not require a building permit. However, the vast majority of home remodel projects require building permits from the local city and sometimes county. If you are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and a contractor tells you that a building permit is not required, don’t listen to them. You can contact your local building department directly to verify this information and determine what is necessary.
Building Permits Help Protect Your Home and Investment
Building permits and the inspections that follow are solely for your safety and protection. Building permits help safeguard your home remodel project from being done with poor standards. It also helps you when you decide to sell a home because with the building permits you can prove that everything was done according to the local building code. A building permit helps keep your contractor honest. Since their work is being inspected, there won’t be any opportunities for your contractor to take shortcuts that can potentially affect the safety of your home.
Building Permits = Free Inspections
One added value of acquiring a building permit is that you receive an inspection of the work of your contractor, free of charge from an unbiased third party. The Building Inspector will determine if the work on your home or commercial property has been done according to the current State Building Codes. Another bonus is that the building permit and building inspections stay on record with the local building department.
Building Inspector vs. Home Inspector
Inspections done by a building inspector is not the same as one done by a home inspector. A building inspector works specifically for the municipality that issues building permits and inspects your home at various stages throughout the construction process. The complexity of the construction project will determine the number and frequency of inspections. Items frequently inspected include:
- Kitchen Remodel
- Lighting Installation
- Bathroom Remodel
- Flooring Installation
- Drywall and Ceiling
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Electrical
Building Permits and Property’s Future Value
Doing home remodel work in your home without a building permits can affect the sale of your property. Savvy buyers avoid purchasing properties that have had work done without the necessary permits. One main reason is that if you do purchase property where work was not done according to the local building code, it is your responsibility to bring it up to code.
If you are remodeling, remember, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to have proof that any additions or remodels were done in accordance with local building codes. Failure to have necessary building permits may result in losing value.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation with one of our remodeling experts.
