How Building Permits Work | ALL IN ONE HOME REPAIRS 24/7

How Building PermitsWork

Why Do I need a building Permit

Building permits are mainly about safety, of yourself and other occupants of the building. . By enforcing construction standards, they give you and the others the best chance to avoid fire, structural failure or something as simple as a child getting his head caught between stair posts. If you decide to move, the permit process also protects future owners.

The first reason to obtain a building permit is that it's illegal not to. If you fail to get a permit for work that requires it, you can be fined. You may be forced to remove a building or tear out completed work. But there are plenty of positive reasons for following the permit process as well:

·      It keeps your contractor honest. To beat out the price of a competitor, a profit-driven contractor might be tempted to cut corners. Would you know it if he did? Since most construction work ends up hidden behind walls and under floors. A building permit requires that a contractor use sound and safe methods and materials. And inspections assure you that he/she does.

·      It guides your do-it-yourself project. No matter how handy you are, you aren't likely to know everything about modern building practices. When you get a permit, you'll have to show the building department your plans. If they don't follow the codes, the building inspector will ask you to revise them. But if you never apply for a permit, you might go ahead with work that's dangerous or unsound.

·      It keeps your insurance valid. Building(s) done without a permit can mean that your insurance company may not honor your policy. A fire resulting from work without a permit could leave you holding the bag. If someone falls off a deck that was built without a permit, your liability insurance may not cover his or her injuries.

·      It's valuable when you sell your home. If you perform work without a permit, you can assume a potential buyer will know about it because the permit process is a matter of public record. Additionally you may be required to sign a Property Disclosure Statement, in which you have to reveal all problems or defects in the property. Having all the necessary permits makes the sale proceed much more smoothly.

Even when you understand a building permit's value, often, homeowners get confused about the type of work for which they need one. On the next page, you'll find out it that if often depends on where you live.

Whendo I need a permit?

Each state or municipality writes its own rules about when a building permit is needed. A job that requires a building permit in one place may not need it in another. Local conditions will affect whether or not you need a permit.

·       New construction almost always requires a building permit, whether you're putting up a building or a major part of a building like a new addition. These permits are also known as construction permits. They cover everything from the footings below the foundation to the roofing material overhead.

·       There are many other construction activitiesthat require permits in most localities. For example, if you plan to install insulation or drywall in a large area, add or remove walls, or put in replacement windows, you will probably need a permit.

·       Any change of use, such as remodeling a garage into a living space, will call for a permit. And believe it or not, demolishing a structure often requires a building permit.

·       Plenty of building projects are in a kind of gray area -- they may or may not need a permit. A deck may not need a permit if it's less than 30 inches (76.2 centimetres) from the ground. A shed or gazebo might require apermit, but not if it's smaller than a certain size. Putting in a retaining wall might send you to get a permit if it's taller than 5 feet (1.5 meters), but you often don't need a permit to build a fence that's less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) high. Some towns require you to get a permit for new siding, some don't. In all of these cases, it's smart to check with your local building department before you go ahead.

·       Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work is sometimes covered by a building permit and sometimes requires a separate permit. These permits may be issued only to licensed specialists like electricians or plumbers, and can cover anything from installing a new water heater to rewiring a kitchen. Work involving septic, air conditioning, irrigation and solar power systems usually needs a permit as well.

So, is there anything that doesn't need a permit?

Fortunately, yes. Simple repairs, painting, wallpapering, new carpets, changing a faucet -- none of these requires a permit. If you replace a door with a similar door, you don't need a permit. Replacing window glass is OK, but replacing the window itself requires a permit 

What do I when I need a permit?

Once you know you need one, actually getting a permit can seem like a big hassle. But it's probably not as difficult as you think.

Building Permit Process

Should you obtain the building permit or leave it to the contractor, if you're working with one? It's a common question and the answer is simple: Let the contractor handle the permit. He/She knows about the process and can accurately answer questions about the project when applying. He/She can address issues that might come up during inspections. And he/she becomes the contractor of record listed on the permit, meaning he's/she’s liable for fulfilling its terms. If a contractor insists that you take out the permit or tells you a permit is not needed for a major job, it should raise a red flag.

If you're going to do the work yourself, you can get your own permit. Then, however, you'll be the one responsible for following the codes. If you plan to hire someone to help, you'll also need proof of insurance or worker's compensation coverage.

Obtaining a buildingpermit does require some planning. You'll need plans showing in detail what you'll be doing. Sometimes these will be formal blueprints or shop drawings completed by an architect or engineer. For small projects, a simple drawing can be enough. If you're putting up a new building or altering the footprint of an existing one, you'll also need a site map to show the location of the building on the property.

You'll first submit the plans and your building permit application to the local building department or building official for review. For a big project, this could take two weeks or more, so plan ahead. Once your permit is issued, you usually have six months to start the work. If you continue building, the permit is good until the project is done, but if you have to suspend work for more than six months, you should request an extension or your permit might lapse.

Sometimes, permits canbe pre-approved, if you agree to standard plans. For example, your municipality may offer a basic design for a carport or deck. As long as you follow their plans, you don't need to submit your own. If you're building from a kit, as in the case of a prefabricated shed or solar room, the documentation from the manufacturer becomes the plan. For simple projects like installing a water heater, you can often be granted a permit the same day you apply.

Fees for buildingpermits vary widely. They often depend on how extensive your building or renovation project is.  Keep in mind that you're paying for professionals to review your project and for inspectors to come out and examine the work. That costs.

Building Permit Inspections

The most stressful part of the building permit process is usually the inspections. To make sure that construction complies with building codes, municipalities send an inspector to the job site to examine what's been done. This inspector will visit your site -- likely more than once -- as the project progresses and ask things like:

·       Does the work match the plans on which the permit is based?

·       Does it use methods and materials that comply with the building codes?

·       Holding up work while waiting for an inspector to arrive and enduring his critical examination can wear on the nerves of both the contractor and the homeowner.

Because later construction covers over earlier work, a major building project will require a number of inspections. It's up to the contractor - or the homeowner, if it's a do-it-yourself project -- to schedule inspections when they're needed. The work has to be planned to allow for inspections. For example, you don't want a truckload of cement to arrive before the inspector has examined the footings.

If you pass inspection, you can continue work. If you fail, the inspector will tell you or your contractor how to correct the problem. For small matters, the problem can sometimes be corrected on the spot and approval given to continue.

A major building project, such as a new home or an addition, involves a series of inspections, depending on local regulations.

1.     Footinginspection. This takes place before the first concrete is poured. The inspector looks at the soil on which the building will rest, the forms for the footing, reinforcing rods and other factors that provide a solid base.

2.     Foundation. After the foundation is erected, the inspector assures that it has been built according to code and properly coated. He/she will check that the anchor bolts for the top plate are in place.

3.     Framing. Once the building is up and the basic plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems are in place, the inspector returns to look over all of this work.

4.     Fire Protection. The inspector looks at fire alarms and fire suppression systems.

5.     Final. When all the work is done, the inspector will return one last time. He/She will make sure the entire project complies with code. He/She might look at things like the grading, fire suppression systems, smoke detectors and the heating system. They will verify that all work followed the original plan.

As nervous as you might be about inspections, there's one fear you can put behind you. The inspector will only be looking at work covered by your permit. They will not be nosing around your home looking for things that aren't "up to code." If you're remodeling a kitchen, for example, you don't need to upgrade features of a bathroom that may not meet current building codes.

When you've passed your final inspection, the building permit process is over. Usually, the inspector will issue you a certificate of occupancy which verifies that your project was finished in accordance with building codes.

Building Permit Questions

Instead of looking at the building permit process as a nuisance, it's better to see it as a service provided by your local government. And a relatively cheap one, in spite of the fees. Objective, trained engineers will examine and approve your building plans. Experienced inspectors will assure that work is up to standard. Any corner-cutting or shoddy workmanship by a contractor will come to light.

Your building department can clear up any uncertainties you have about the process. Here are some questions that often arise about building permits:

· What if work has been completed without a permit? Maybe it was done by a previous owner. Maybe you did it without knowing a permit was needed. You may still be able to get a permit, depending in part on whether the work can be properly inspected. You may have to pay an extra fee, but the local building department will usually try to work with you.

·        What if I can't wait for an inspection? If you have a pressing reason to continue with work before a scheduled inspection, contact the inspector in advance. He may allow you to record the work in photos or videos and go on. Today's digital cameras make the process easy.

·        Howdo I make changes in my building plan? If you change your mind about any important part of your project, make sure you contact your building department before you go ahead. They issue the permit for a specific plan. If you don't get approval for the change, you may not pass the final inspection.

·        Is the final inspection important? Sometimes work is delayed and the homeowner or contractor forgets that one more inspection is needed after the finishing touches are applied. But the final inspection is essential. If you don't get it, the building permit may lapse. You may have to apply for a new permit or comply with codes that were enacted after you began work.

It always helps to take a positive attitude toward the building permit process and to understand that most inspectors are knowledgeable and want to help. With luck, you'll never face a hurricane, tornado or flood. But if you do, you'll rest easier knowing you got your building permit and followed local codes.