Are you currently thinking about or starting a home improvement project? Are you concerned that a simple change you make in your home could cause you issues when you try to sell your property because you did not have a building permit? Building permits authorize you to make legal changes to your home and indicate that the changes you made were approved by your local government and verified to be safe. But exactly when do you need a building permit and when do you not need one?
The rules and regulations for building permits vary from one city to another. This means that there is no one list for when you need a building permit and the rules and regulations can vary between cities and countries as well. This makes the entire world of building permits very complicated, you could live across the street from someone who did not need a building permit but when you start to complete the same project, you discover you do need a building permit.
Normally if you are working with your homes wiring or plumbing you will need a building permit but if all you are doing is replacing your flooring you will not need a permit. If you are working with a contractor or a building company, your lead project coordinator should be knowledgeable about the laws in your area. Even if your contractor states you do not need a building permit, you may end up expanding the scope of your project which may cause you to need a building permit. It is always a good idea to discuss with your contractor who will be responsible for securing the appropriate building permits even if your project is small.
Have a home improvement project? Try this link
New York Licensed General Contractor
If you have any concerns about the need for a building permit, you should always call your city and ask what the regulations are. Of course building permit regulations vary depending on your location but many cities require building permits for moving plumbing or electrical outlets, demolishing a load-bearing wall, installing new doors or windows, and changing the size of your house. Normally, you do not need a building permit to install a new washer, lay a new roof, or install new carpeting. Your local building department should be able to provide you with the details on what projects need building permits and the process to secure the permit.
Your home is not a place to cut corners or try to save on un-permitted improvements. If you complete a home improvement project without a building permit, you may be fined or worse you may have to return your home to its original state before you can sell the property. Spending considerable amounts of money to complete a home improvement project then having to remove your improvements before you are able to sell the property is not a chance you should be willing to take. Whenever you start working on a home improvement project, take the time to verify the regulations in your area to determine if you need a building permit or not.
home-inspection
