Home Remodeling

Does your home remodeling project require a building permit?

Determining if your home remodel project requires building permit is not often easy or necessarily predictable.  Many homeowners are unsure of whether their home remodeling project should be permitted or not.  Although somewhat dependent on your locality, the following lists cover some instances where you may or may not need a permit for your home improvement remodeling project.

You May Need a Permit When:

·         Moving a sink.

·         Demolishing a load-bearing wall.

·         Changing the house's roofline.

·         Punching in a new window or door.

·         Altering the footprint of your house.

·         Installing new electrical wiring.

You May Not Need a Permit When:

·         Laying in a new roof.

·         Putting in hardwood floor.

·         Installing carpeting.

·         Replacing doors or windows on a one-for-one basis.

·         Upgrading your countertops.

·         Freshening up the exterior with new siding.

·         Minor electrical work, such as replacing an electrical outlet.

A phone call to your local permitting office is the best--and only--way to determine if you need a permit as many municipalities differ as to which home remodeling projects require permits.  Many permit officers are happy to discuss permitting issues with anonymous callers as a way to ward off future code violations.  Hiring a quality contractor will also help ensure your project is properly permitted.  A good remodeling contractor will be able to tell you, after reviewing your project, if you will need a permit or not.  If your remodeling project does require a permit, most home remodeling contractors will handle any permit needs for you as a courtesy if they are hired to complete the project.  A properly remodeled home, with appropriate permiting, is safer for you and your family!