Do You Need Building Permits To Do A Full Remodel Of My Home?

Do You Need Building Permits To Do A Full Remodel Of My Home?

 

Even if your next home improvement project appears minor, you may be surprised to learn that it necessitates a permit. Permitting requirements differ greatly depending on where you live and the size of the project.

Before you begin, here’s what you should know about obtaining permits.

You’ll need a permit for some of the work you’ll do on your house. Most regions require building permits for these projects:

    • Installation and repair of fences.
    • Installation of windows.
    • Work on the plumbing system.
    • Electrical work is required.
    • Changes in the structure.
    • There are numerous HVAC maintenance projects (like installing a new water heater).
    • Projects involving additions and remodeling (even including sheds and garages).
    • Building permits are frequently required for additions and remodeling projects, and you might be surprised at how many aspects of these projects require one.

What Home Improvement Projects Don’t Require Permits?

There is some good news for homeowners: not all remodeling projects require permits. Painting, decks under a certain height, installing new cabinets, installing new countertops, installing a whole-house fan, repairing the driveway, building a small fence, and other cosmetic improvements can be completed without the need for permits.

When You Need a Building Permit or Other Specialized Permit

Local building codes will dictate whether your intended construction requires a permit. If you’re doing any of the following, check with your municipality before you start work:

    • Removal or addition of walls.
    • Room conversions that change the use, like turning your garage into an office.
    • Changes to the home’s piping systems.
    • Re-roofing.
    • Demolition of any part of the home.

If you’re doing work on the systems in your home, those projects sometimes also require specialized permits. For example, installing a new underground sprinkler system might mean you have to secure a plumbing permit. The best way to find out exactly what’s required is to contact your local permitting office.

What Happens if I Don’t Get a Permit?

It can be tempting to try to avoid the permitting process, especially since it can be time-consuming. Failure to obtain a permit, on the other hand, can easily lead to major issues with your city. Unpermitted home improvements can also harm sellers’ chances of selling their home.

On the city side, you may be charged exorbitant fees, or your project may be halted. In some cases, the city may even require you to destroy previously completed work because there is no way to tell if it is up to code.

When in doubt, it’s always best to contact your municipality to double check the permitting requirements for the projects you hope to complete. Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Where construction permits are concerned, the exact opposite is true.

Remodeling Tips: Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Are you planning to renovate your home? Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, be sure it is done correctly the first time. If you don’t execute your home improvements correctly, they can eat up a lot of your money and time. Here are some of the most typical home improvement blunders to avoid:

1. Establishing an unrealistic budget

Renovations are frequently more expensive than anticipated. To be better prepared for potential shocks, add an extra 20% to your budget.

2. Failure to complement the original architectural style

The style of additions does not have to be the same as the original structure. They do, however, need to compliment it in order to help with resale value and to look and feel fantastic while you live in them.

3. Function is sacrificed in favor of form.

Consider how you will actually live in the place. Consider the positioning of doors, windows, and outlets, as well as traffic patterns around the house.

4. Being overly trendy

Fresh, new appearances are great, but keep resale value in mind as well. Trends come and go, but good design lasts forever. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask a designer.

5. Putting in new appliances last

Choose your appliances first to ensure that the overall design allows for the stuff you truly desire. But don’t buy them until you’re ready to install them.

6. Purchasing furniture and home décor too soon

Wait until the project designs are finalized and the project is far enough along for measurements to be exact before purchasing the perfect appliances, flooring, furniture, and other materials. Otherwise, you risk purchasing insufficient quantities of supplies or getting items that will not fit.

Consider re-doing your carpeting or flooring in November or December. Many home improvement chains offer attractive sales before the holidays, and contractors tend to be more willing to negotiate during their slow time of the year

7. Avoiding the purchase of additional flooring

Order enough material to finish the work + 20% to account for installation waste and flaws.

8. Emphasis on appearance

Make sure to fix any structural or safety concerns, such as replacing the electrical system or ensuring the foundations and subflooring are in good condition. This will help you avoid hurting your new, gorgeous finishes in order to remedy potential problems later on.

9. Failure to consider workflow

This is especially true in kitchens. Consider the “work triangle” formed by the refrigerator, sink, and stove to ensure that you like the utility of the new design and can make optimum use of the space.

10. Buying cheap materials

Select durable, high-quality materials that you won’t need to replace within a few years. Building materials aren’t the place to economize.

Are You Planning a Full Home Remodel?

 

If you’re considering a whole house remodel, New Key Construction, based in Walnut Creek California, is here to serve you. Our passion is to be the home for talented craftsmen who deliver beautiful projects to clients throughout the SF East Bay Area! Choosing the right general contractor for your project can be difficult, but we make things easy by focusing on Your Experience, Client Communication, Cutting Edge Technology, and Pushing Our Design and Build Limits!  If we could have one goal, it would be that when someone you know is looking for a contractor you highly recommend our company because of the experience we deliver for you! Check out our website, our portfolio, and our reviews to learn more – or give us a call today!