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Do I Really Need ...
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Home owners are investing more money in home renovations than ever before.
Whether it’s a do-it-yourself home project or a major professional renovation, more of today’s homeowners are investing time and money to make their residences more functional and more comfortable.
One of the requirements of your home improvement project may be acquiring a building permit. Although considered by many to be an added inconvenience and expense, building permits and building inspectors are actually important safeguards that help ensure you get sound workmanship and good value for your money.
A building permit is issued by the authorities in your township or municipality prior to beginning work and ensures that your project conforms to local building codes and other regulations. Your project will later be inspected by a qualified building inspector who ensures that the project is consistent with the plans submitted for the permit.
The building inspector also ensures that appropriate materials and construction methods have been used for the safe usage of the improvement.
For example, if the support beams on your raised deck won’t support the maximum weight, or the wiring is not adequate to safely run the lighting system you’d planned, the building inspector will point this out, and then return to verify that the appropriate remedies have been made before approving your project.
All these measures are to your benefit. After all, who wants to find out after you’ve already built a new deck that’s it’s too close to your neighbor’s property, and that they can require you to move it over by two feet?
As for ensuring that your project used the correct construction materials and conforms to safety standards, the benefits to you and your family are obvious.If you’re working with a professional contractor, it is their responsibility to obtain the permit prior to commencing your work.
Building permits are always required if you are making any structural changes in your existing home, or are building an addition to your existing structure or property.
While regulations vary from municipality to municipality, many other types of projects will also require permits, particularly if electrical work is required.
Some less professional contractors may encourage you to initiate work without bothering with a building permit.
This simply allows the contractor to complete their work without any unbiased party there to ensure that the job has been done properly.
If the contractor implies the job will be cheaper without the permit, you should ask yourself why that is so.
Some people operate under the false assumption that if they do the work themselves that a building permit is not necessary.
This is definitely NOT the case!
You are responsible for ensuring that any improvements to your home conform to local guidelines and regulations.
That means you are also liable for any costs that may be incurred to correct a problem situation after the fact.
If you’re in doubt, contact your local municipal authorities before you start.
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