Tuesday, August 9, 2022

What Kind of Permits Do I Need For My Home Remodel?

Permitting is more than a nuisance for home remodeling contractors and homeowners. Permits assure property owners and insurance companies that the work is being performed according to specific codes that have been written to prevent shoddy workmanship, enhance the safety of residents, and as a method to monitor construction and verify that it meets the standards of the state and local community. 

Who Pulls the Permits?

Property owners may obtain some types of permits, but some types of work must be signed-off by licensed contractors in their respective fields. In order to avoid pulling the correct permits, or failing to secure all of the permits required by the job, the best course of action is to leave obtaining permits to the experienced home contractors who will be performing the work.

Construction Permits

From the foundation to the roof peak, every aspect of home additions and renovations is carefully monitored to protect the property owner as well as adjacent properties from being damaged in the event of damages, including accidents, natural disasters, and more. Any work performed without a permit may be required to be removed and rebuilt after the appropriate permits have been secured, and that can easily become very expensive.

Fire Safety

Fire safety guidelines are enforced through permits and regular inspections at every stage of the job. From the fastener patterns used on drywall to specialized caulking that seals walls against fumes and smoke, fire safety permits are meant to protect the property, the property owner, and reduce the damages in the event of a catastrophe.

Electrical Permits

Electricity is dangerous and volatile. Electrical permits can be obtained by the property owner for some types of work, but a licensed electrician may be required to inspect and approve the work before it will be passed by an electrical inspector. Electrical permits are not required in situations where no electrical services are being added or modified.

Plumbing Permits

The property owner is able to obtain plumbing permits in some locations, but this differs from one municipality to another. Plumbing work is inspected at each stage of construction, including underground plumbing, water lines, and sewer lines. In a home remodel, plumbing permits are only required when the job involves moving or installing plumbing in the area being renovated.


Leading remodeling contractors typically have a general contractor's license that allows them to pull any and all permits needed for the work they perform. The home remodeling company may hire subcontractors to perform different stages of the work, such as plumbers or electricians, or they may perform all aspects of the job themselves.


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