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Know up front that if you are going to be doing any
renovations of your home you most likely require a
permit. Do not let any contractor lead you astray on
this. In fact if you are having any plumbing,
electrical or structural work carried out on your
home, count on buying a permit. It does not matter
if you are going to do it yourself the rules still
apply. In most areas you will find it is the city that
issues the permits. As a general statement these
building or renovation permits are not expensive.
You usually required to submit two sets of building
plans and specifications with your application.
One set should be returned with the approval and
the engineering or building department will retain
the second set.There are some repairs and
renovations may not require a permit. These
include re-roofing, painting, re-siding, flooring and
cabinet installation, and replacement of windows
and doors (provided the opening is not enlarged)-
in brief, work that does not entail changes to
structures or systems. Check with the building or
engineering office for clarification.
If any contractor tries to talk you out of getting a
permit be concerned about the contractor. No good
tradesman is concerned about having his job
reviewed by an expert. You should also ask to see
the contractor’s licence and registration. Is he or
she insured and registered with all the
governmental departments necessary? A written
detailed contract between you and the contractor
you hire is indispensable for any renovation or
home repair project, no matter its size. You should
have even the smallest job in writing. You should
have the contract reviewed by a lawyer before you
sign it. This is not to say that most contractors are
shifty, actually most are good and are licensed but
why find out latter that the one you contracted with
is the exception. If the contractor is slow at
attaining a permit, do it yourself.
In most jurisdictions there is a separate permit for
electrical work, plumbing and structural. The
inspector is your friend and is actually looking out
for your interests. When obtaining a permit, usually
residents are required to estimate the costs of all
renovations then an appropriate application fee will
be charged. You are best advised to obtain a
quotation from a professional contractor prior to
obtaining a permit this will help verify your cost
projections. Remember it is cheaper to talk to a
lawyer before a problem arises than after it does.
There are Legal Service Plans that will make the
cost very reasonable.
renovations of your home you most likely require a
permit. Do not let any contractor lead you astray on
this. In fact if you are having any plumbing,
electrical or structural work carried out on your
home, count on buying a permit. It does not matter
if you are going to do it yourself the rules still
apply. In most areas you will find it is the city that
issues the permits. As a general statement these
building or renovation permits are not expensive.
You usually required to submit two sets of building
plans and specifications with your application.
One set should be returned with the approval and
the engineering or building department will retain
the second set.There are some repairs and
renovations may not require a permit. These
include re-roofing, painting, re-siding, flooring and
cabinet installation, and replacement of windows
and doors (provided the opening is not enlarged)-
in brief, work that does not entail changes to
structures or systems. Check with the building or
engineering office for clarification.
If any contractor tries to talk you out of getting a
permit be concerned about the contractor. No good
tradesman is concerned about having his job
reviewed by an expert. You should also ask to see
the contractor’s licence and registration. Is he or
she insured and registered with all the
governmental departments necessary? A written
detailed contract between you and the contractor
you hire is indispensable for any renovation or
home repair project, no matter its size. You should
have even the smallest job in writing. You should
have the contract reviewed by a lawyer before you
sign it. This is not to say that most contractors are
shifty, actually most are good and are licensed but
why find out latter that the one you contracted with
is the exception. If the contractor is slow at
attaining a permit, do it yourself.
In most jurisdictions there is a separate permit for
electrical work, plumbing and structural. The
inspector is your friend and is actually looking out
for your interests. When obtaining a permit, usually
residents are required to estimate the costs of all
renovations then an appropriate application fee will
be charged. You are best advised to obtain a
quotation from a professional contractor prior to
obtaining a permit this will help verify your cost
projections. Remember it is cheaper to talk to a
lawyer before a problem arises than after it does.
There are Legal Service Plans that will make the
cost very reasonable.