The Top 10 Reasons to Get a Building Permit Before Starting a Home Remodel

Many people complain about getting a building permit from their town's code enforcement office for changing something in their house, erecting a deck or a fence, or making any other improvement to their property. I never understood that line of thought. I wouldn't think of NOT getting a building permit. Before you start your home remodel-get a building permit. Here's why.

1. It might possibly be a law in your town that if you make enhancements of a certain nature to your property you must get a building permit to begin the work. To do otherwise could cost you a fine.

2. The permit keeps everyone (homeowner and contractor) on an honest playing field. There won't be any shortcuts by the contractor that might affect the owner's investment or safety. Upon inspection of the work by the code enforcement officer, any shortcuts or safety issues would be identified

3. You get free inspections of the work the contractor does. For example, during a home remodel when the construction portion is completed, the code enforcement officer will come out and inspect the work, making sure it is "up to code." That is, the work was completed as outlined by the rules mandated by the state and your town. Once the code enforcement officer gives the okay that the work at your property is up to code, work can continue. That inspection is all covered by the building permit. Your inspection should sail through. If it doesn't, it could be for a variety of reasons, the best being a problem easily rectified, the worst problem being an unscrupulous contractor. If the last is the case, wouldn't you want to know about it early on in your remodeling or project process than after your project has been completed?

4. You don't have to hire a contractor to utilize the services of your code enforcement officer. Do you have a question about the minimum size of an egress window? Do you have a question about the minimum depth of a stair tread? Any kind of a question relating to building in your town could be answered by your code enforcement officer, without being billed for the information.

5. If your home remodeling project includes plumbing and electrical work, your code enforcement officer will give you a final inspection for those enhancements, as well.

6. The code enforcement officer may make surprise visits to your construction/remodeling site just to check on things. This is a benefit. It keeps everyone honest.

7. Before your new space can be deemed "livable", the code enforcement officer will give you something called a certificate of occupancy which equates that all the work that was done on your project is up to code. This also means everything is safe.

8. Another benefit garnered from obtaining the building permit is that if anything should happen to your home while under construction (say an electrical malfunction that causes a fire) you will be able to claim insurance easier than if no building permit was issued. This is a huge benefit. As we all know, stuff happens.

9. Your code enforcement officer knows people in the trade. If you need to hire someone to perform work, your code enforcement officer probably can provide you with an impartial list of contractors or vendors.

10. Is your remodeling project for a multiple-family dwelling? All the above apply but the code enforcement officer can also supply you with the rights of landlords and the rights of tenants and any building codes specific to multiple-family dwellings.

How do you get a building permit?
Building permits are simple to obtain. Call your city or town building department or check your town's Web site. If you live in a very rural area, contact the governing body that includes your rural area and find out who you should talk to.

What will you need to provide the code enforcement officer?
It really depends on your municipality. In the town I live in we had to provide a drawing and an estimate of the cost for the work that was going to be done. Your drawing could be a hand sketch or it could be an architectural drawing, depending on the complexity of the project. The code enforcement officer can provide you with their requirements. In our town, for our home remodel, we were required to fill out a very simple two-part form. We received one part and the code enforcement office kept the second part. The form included information relevant for the town and a very brief description of our remodeling project and a ballpark estimate of the cost of the project. That was it.

Remember, the code enforcement officer is your friend not your enemy. You can call on your town's code enforcement officer anytime, not just when you are building something. They have the knowledge and expertise to help answer many of the remodeling questions you might have. And, their salary is normally paid through your property taxes (at least this is so in New York State) so it seems like it's free advice. Don't hire an extra consultant. Ask your code enforcement officer first.

The cost of the permit can be very minimal, depending on the work you are having done. A permit in our town for a significant remodeling project cost us about $100.00. The cost of a permit in your town may be based on the estimated cost of your project. Our permit was good for one year. Once you obtain the permit, tape it to your door or window. This public display lets any neighbors or passersby know that you have obtained the necessary permit for the job you are doing and that the town you live in is aware of your home remodeling project. Also, anyone who is interested could contact the code enforcement officer to find out the scope of your project.

What happens if your project runs long and you reach the expiration of your permit? Contact the code enforcement officer and ask for a renewal. Our home remodeling project went long and we requested a renewal. The renewal cost $25.00.

The code enforcement officer in your town is there to serve you. Utilize his or her services for a safe, successful home remodel.