Here are a few of the projects that may not require a permit:. Most large projects that involve major changes to the structure of your home require a permit. Because each municipality has different rules, it's important to check your city's website or call for clarification. Regardless of who does the work, it is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that the project holds the proper permits.
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Your Money. Personal Finance. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Home Ownership Renovations. Key Takeaways Permits can be obtained through the appropriate municipal office. Making any major changes that alter the footprint of your home requires a permit including additions, decks, certain fences, certain plumbing and electrical work, as well as siding projects.
Failure to obtain permits—even if you hire a contractor—can stall your project or complicate the sale of your home. Some renovations such as painting, installing flooring and countertops, and replacing faucets don't require a permit. Article Sources. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work.
These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. Not only do you ensure the safety of the workers constructing your project, you also ensure your own safety, as well as that of your friends, family, and future owners.
It prevents them from cutting corners during the process, which lowers hazards and risks while applying reliable construction practices. You also have solid plans for your project, so you can rest assured that the work being done is up to, if not beyond, code. Without a permit, you may run into some additional troubles. You are likely to run into difficulties if you ever look to sell your house and work was done on it without a permit.
For instance, you may be instructed to tear down and redo the work this time with a permit , which will cost much more as a result. Another issue you could run into is damage to your house due to the work that was done without a permit.
More often than not, your insurance will decline to cover the damage. Thus, it is in your best interest to obtain a permit at the start of your project. You can also call the city or visit in person, which has the added benefit of letting you get all your questions answered at once.
Some cities may require several permits depending on the type and scale of your project. Some cities will require plans of your proposed project in addition to the application forms. Depending on the size of the project, your plans may be a full set of blueprints for a new building, or a simple sketch for the installation of a new door.
The costs of submitting the permit are for the people paid to review your application and who come out to inspect your property, and may depend on the size and value of your project.
The review process may take up to several weeks, so factor that into your timeline. There may also be several rounds of review, and providing solid plans from the start will streamline the process. You now have legal permission to start constructing your project. The timeframe within which your permit is valid depends on your local government, but can depend on the size and cost of your project. Or, you may need a mechanical permit to install a central air conditioning unit.
The only way to determine whether your project needs a permit is to consult your city building and permit office. Most have information online that you may review. They are also accustomed to addressing questions by phone and in-person, so don't hesitate to reach out to find the answers you need. If you hired a contractor for your project, it is customary for the contractor to arrange for; or, in contractor lingo, "pull" the permit. This is a good idea because typically the person who pulls the permit is responsible for construction following the code.
If you pull the permit, you will be considered the contractor at least in the eyes of the city and liable if there is a construction problem.
Contractors are also often familiar with the process and the city's inspectors. The contractor's preexisting relationship with the city can work to your benefit. On the other hand, if your contractor is charging by the hour, you might save money by completing the permit paperwork and submitting it yourself. The scope and complexity of your project will help you decide the best way to work with the city and obtain a permit.
If your project requires a permit, get a permit. If you are working with a contractor who suggests skipping this step, consider moving on to another contractor. As cumbersome as the process can be, it will be better than dealing with the city if it finds out you should, but don't have a permit. The city might force you to obtain a permit and could double or triple the permitting fees. It may also shut down your project or require you to tear down your work for example, remove a wall to see what's behind it if there is a question as to whether the work was done according to code.
The worst thing would be if this were to happen when you're in the middle of trying to sell your house, which is when such issues often come to light. Unpermitted construction can lower your home's value, and you might even need to bring it up to code as a condition of the sale.
In short, it is not worth the risk. See "Discovering Unpermitted Construction When Selling Your Home" for more information on obtaining a permit after construction is complete. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising.
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