Angie’s List Report: All About Permitting
(WDEF) Homeowner Mark Stauffer said, "We’re removing an inside wall to make a more open space and actually moving the kitchen to the opposite of the room, making it an open kitchen with an island."
Whether your home improvement project requires a permit varies depending on where you live.
Stauffer added, "There is electrical, plumbing, and structural work being done and those all require permits.">
But most laws require that you not build, move, significantly alter or add to a building without a permit.
Angie Hicks of Angie’s List said, "It actually provides you important protection. For example, in some scenarios a contractor must be licensed in order to get the permit so it adds an extra layer of protection for you."
Remodeler Thomas Pearson says a fair amount of planning must be done before pulling a permit. He said, "It’s very important that if a room addition is being built that the setbacks are correct. There’s a certain amount you are supposed to have and planning is the most important part of the job. If the planning is done very well in the beginning then the rest of the job will run well."
If you skip the permit process in order to save a few bucks Angie’s List warns you could end up paying more in the long run. Hicks explained, "If you skip pulling a permit you might end up paying fines, it could stop the work being done, they may make you re-do it. In some scenarios when it comes down to electrical work and the electrical work causes a fire your homeowner’s insurance may not cover it."
Angie’s List says if a contractor asks you to pull your own permits that could be a red flag the contractor isn’t insured or doesn’t have the required license to do the work.
And whether you are hiring a contractor or doing the work yourself, check with your local building department.
Do your own research and question any contractor who remodels without pulling a permit.
Whether your home improvement project requires a permit varies depending on where you live.
Stauffer added, "There is electrical, plumbing, and structural work being done and those all require permits.">
But most laws require that you not build, move, significantly alter or add to a building without a permit.
Angie Hicks of Angie’s List said, "It actually provides you important protection. For example, in some scenarios a contractor must be licensed in order to get the permit so it adds an extra layer of protection for you."
Remodeler Thomas Pearson says a fair amount of planning must be done before pulling a permit. He said, "It’s very important that if a room addition is being built that the setbacks are correct. There’s a certain amount you are supposed to have and planning is the most important part of the job. If the planning is done very well in the beginning then the rest of the job will run well."
If you skip the permit process in order to save a few bucks Angie’s List warns you could end up paying more in the long run. Hicks explained, "If you skip pulling a permit you might end up paying fines, it could stop the work being done, they may make you re-do it. In some scenarios when it comes down to electrical work and the electrical work causes a fire your homeowner’s insurance may not cover it."
Angie’s List says if a contractor asks you to pull your own permits that could be a red flag the contractor isn’t insured or doesn’t have the required license to do the work.
And whether you are hiring a contractor or doing the work yourself, check with your local building department.
Do your own research and question any contractor who remodels without pulling a permit.
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