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.

Is it Time to Remodel Your Home?

Your home is an important investment, but the time may come when it needs the services of well-qualified home remodeling contractors. A lot can happen to a house over the years, from a settling foundation to needing more room for your family. If you are trying to decide whether it is time to remodel, here are some of the most common indicators that remodeling is called for.

Aging Home

Older homes may have developed a wide variety of problems over the years that should be addressed by home contractors. Walls can become damaged, baseboards lost or broken, chair rails banged up, and more. Even the construction of the home itself may deteriorate over time, with wallboard working loose, floors wearing out, and ceilings becoming damaged or sagging. Seasoned remodelers are adept at returning your home to its original beauty and sturdiness.

Growing Family

Children born into the family, or loved ones coming for an extended visit may mean that you need to make more room. Remodeling a home allows you to modify the internal design, convert a garage or attic space, or even add a new room to the home's foundation. If you prefer adding a separate cottage for mom or as a starter dwelling for a young couple on the property, it would still be considered remodeling, and can be part of an even larger project.

Cracks and Gaps

Step-shaped cracks in your exterior walls are typically a sign that the home's foundation has settled. Inside, the same thing may be visible in sheets of drywall pulling away from each other, cracks or gaps in your trim, or corner bead cracking and peeling away from exposed wall corners. Remodelers can re-level the home and rebuild damaged areas to restore the integrity of your home.

Sticking Doors and Latches

Another indication of settling in a home can be found in windows and door frames. Broken glass may be the result of windows that are out of true, putting the glass under abnormal pressure. Doors may be hard to open, or refuse to latch-- or they may not even fit into the jamb anymore. If you have doors or windows that don't work the way they used to, remodeling may be in your future.

Deteriorating Shingles

Most shingle roofs are only warranted for around 20 to 25 years. After that, shingles begin to weather and deteriorate. This can be visible as peeling or broken shingles, but many homeowners don't discover roof problems until damage begins to show inside. Similarly, overhanging tree limbs can scrub away the surface of shingles, deposit mold and algae on your roof, or cause punctures in high winds. 

If your home fits any of these categories, consulting a local home remodeling contractor is probably a great idea. You may be able to get by with inexpensive repairs now, but allowing your structural problems to go untreated can lead to very expensive repairs in the future.

Bathroom Remodel: Replacing your shower/tub combo with an all glass shower enclosure

Every home remodel is exciting. It gives you the ability to refashion your home for your needs in the coming years and update the design and features. One of the most impactful remodels is a bathroom. Whether it’s adding a new bathroom or remodeling an existing one, a bathroom remodel can dramatically change the look and feel of your home. For your update, consider including a glass shower enclosure in your new bathroom.