When you’re planning a home remodeling project, you have a lot of work on your plate. Even smaller projects require a lot of planning, like setting a budget and finding a contractor. All home remodeling work can be stressful and come with a lot for you to do, but some are much more complicated than others. For some projects, you might have the added work of needing a permit to ensure that local building codes are being followed. If you’re planning a home remodel, you might not even know if you need to worry about getting a permit.
If you need any work done at home, it’s important that you know whether or not you need a permit to complete your project. Learn more about getting a permit for your next remodeling project.
When to Get a Permit
When you need a permit will depend on your location, as all areas have different requirements. Before your project, you need to be sure of whether or not you need to get a permit. While you’ll need to check in on the permitting process in your areas to be sure of what you need, many projects commonly require permits regardless of location.
Here are a few renovations where you’re likely to need a permit.
Home Additions
If you’re adding onto your home, there’s a good chance you’re going to need a permit. Whether you’re just adding a little extra space or an entire extra floor to your home, you should expect to need a permit. If you’re looking into four seasons sunroom financing for a home addition, you don’t want to forget about seeing if you’ll need a permit, too.
Changing Your Home Layout
If you’re making big changes to your home that require you to change the layout, it might require a permit. This is especially true if you’re going to need to knock down any load-bearing walls. If you have a project that changes your home’s layout or requires major demolition like this, look into getting a permit.
Plumbing and Electrical Work
Plumbing and electrical work can require permits depending on the project. For example, if you need bathroom renovation financing for a major bathroom remodel and need to move sinks, tubs, or toilets around, you might need a permit to change this. Most electrical work also often requires a permit.
HVAC Systems, Water Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys
If you need a new HVAC system, or just new air conditioning or a furnace, or water heater installed, a permit will likely be required for this type of work. Similarly, work done to your fireplace or chimney may need a permit.
Swimming Pools
Having a swimming pool installed almost always means that you’ll need to get a permit. This usually doesn’t matter if you’re installing an above or in-ground pool. You will probably need a permit to get any pool installed.
Why is Getting a Permit Necessary?
If you’ve never completed a renovation project that required a permit before, you might not fully understand why you need one in the first place. Getting a permit is extremely important if your project requires one, and you might not be able to go through with it if you don’t get one. Without a permit, you could have problems refinancing your home or getting money from your insurance company for damages related to the renovation. If you get caught without a permit, you could have to pay an expensive fine. Even if you don’t get caught remodeling without a permit when one was required, it can still affect you later on. Remodels done without a permit can also make your house harder to sell in the future, as not many people will want to take on that risk.
Of course, you’ll also want to get a permit for your own safety. You want to be sure that your work is up to code and won’t cause any issues for you in the future. Permits might seem like a hassle, but they’re here for a reason. When the structural integrity of your home is being impacted or other serious parts of your home, such as electrical wiring or plumbing, you want to know everything is done properly. You’re the one who is going to be in your house every day, so you don’t want to put yourself or your family in harm’s way.
Get Help with Your Next Remodeling Project
Regardless of the work you need for your home, remodeling is a huge source of stress for many homeowners. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and you can’t do all of it on your own. At Homeowner Funding, we can help take on some of the difficult work to ensure that your project will run smoothly. We can find financing for various home renovation projects, such as getting siding financing and help you find the help you need to complete your project.
Contact Homeowner Funding to find out how we can help your next home renovation project.
