When Should You Get a Permit
When you’re preparing to undertake a major home remodel, the last thing you want to be thinking about is getting permits. It’s much more interesting and exciting to be thinking about paint colors and new fixtures and appliances, and all the new ways you will get to start enjoying your familiar space, but there are also more mundane questions you should be asking yourself before getting started.
When do you need to get a permit? Is a permit really necessary? Is it going to be hard to get one?
The short answer is - yes, you probably need a permit.
The fact of the matter is that you should check if you need a permit for pretty much any home improvement project bigger than painting a wall or replacing a lightbulb. Even if all you’re doing is installing a new faucet, you should consider looking into a permit as many plumbing projects require them. Having an inspector in after installing the faucet will ensure it’s been done correctly and won’t leak, causing you a lot of damage and trouble down the road. This is also important for electrical work. Even moving an outlet to a new location will require a permit. It might seem like no big deal, but faulty electrical wiring can cause serious hazards!
Most projects that don’t require moving any features won’t need a permit, however. Such as replacing your windows with newer ones, as long as the new windows are the same shape and size as those originally installed. Or installing a new sink or toilet, but using the same plumbing, and keeping it in the same location. Still, if you’re unsure about the project, you should definitely be sure to check, just in case. A good rule of thumb is, if you’re moving large fixtures around, you should have a permit, and if you’re not, you should still verify if you need one or not!
Pulling a permit can be a bit of a hassle, it’s true. It adds extra steps, time, and costs to your project. The process of getting a permit requires drawings, which will require finding a designer. You’ll need to wait for the permit to be approved, a process which can take up to two weeks assuming everything goes smoothly. And then the project needs to pause periodically to be inspected, and that can get frustrating when you’re forced to wait on an inspector’s schedule.
If getting a permit can be that much of a tedious process, why would you bother?
Peace of mind is a big payoff for following the permitting process. Not only do you know you’ve got all of your paperwork in order, but you know that all the work done in your home has been certified to be up to current building code standards. At Third Generation Restoration, we highly encourage our clients to get permits for any project that involves plumbing, electric, framing, or HVAC especially, as those are the projects that can go wrong very easily. Any step you can take to make sure that they’re being done correctly is a good idea.
In addition, if you’re looking to remodel so you can prepare to sell your home, you really want to be sure you stay on top of all necessary permits. Adding bathrooms, decks, or outdoor buildings that would boost the sale price will definitely require permits, as will new plumbing appliances if you’re upgrading your kitchen. If you don’t have a permit, you can not only get fined for it, but it can delay the sale of your house as you wait for the permits to go through and the inspections to be finished.
The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of the stress of a home remodel is a building inspector stopping in and putting a halt on the project until the permits can be processed! It will leave your home torn up for much longer than initially predicted, and if you’re trying to sell, may cause a pending sale to fall through, or delay your major life plans. The time you spend getting the permit before starting on your project is time you can at least budget for in the project timeline, and the initial permit fee is going to be much lower than the cost of a fine. And consider that while you’re waiting on the permit to go through before you start the remodel, your house will still be intact! Not stuck halfway through a project.
To find out if your project should have a permit, you can look up the information on the website of your local township or governing municipality, give them a call, or you can ask us and we can give you more specific guidance. We want to do everything we can to ensure the work you’re having done causes as little stress as possible for you. A good rule of thumb though is that if the remodeling project is large, it’s very likely you will need a permit for at least a portion of it.
Most of the time, the process of getting a permit is more tedious than it is difficult. Almost all townships and cities have the specific steps laid out clearly, and people in their offices who are specially trained to help with the process. Don’t be intimidated at the idea of paperwork and let that make you cut corners you know you shouldn’t be cutting to prepare for your project!
Even if a project doesn’t require a permit, Third Generation Restoration assures our clients that we always stick to code regulations on the work we do for your home, and we do things the right way so that you can have that peace of mind, with or without a permit. We pride ourselves on doing things the right way the first time, no building inspector visit required!
We want to make the process of improving your home as seamless and painless as possible for you, so we are happy to take the time to answer any questions you may have on the process until you’re totally satisfied. Our relationship with our clients is very important to us and we always want to be providing you with the best possible service. Ask us if you should get a permit, or if we’ll be getting one for you for the project!
Third Generation Restoration is a home remodeling business located in the Greater Cincinnati area, and we’re proud to serve this city and the surrounding areas. This is where we live and we consider our clients to also be our neighbors, our community. We’re a family owned local business, and we understand the importance of home to your family and well-being. It’s our great pleasure to help you make your home into the home of your dreams. Give us a call today and we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and concerns, and make your home perfect for this generation, through the third generation and beyond.
