Permits and Licenses

Embarking on a remodeling project requires some things prior to getting started. It's crucial to comply with local building codes and regulations. This often involves obtaining necessary permits and licenses. Failure to do so can result in fines, delays, and even legal issues. Looking at the scope of work will determine what permits need to be pulled. If you are putting on an addition, removing any load bearing walls, or changing your foundation, you will need to get a building permit. Anything this requires major electrical or plumbing work will require an electrical permit or a plumbing permit. Anything that is outside of replacing what is currently there such as light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets and switches would be considered “major” in these categories. Finally, if there is any HVAC that needs to be rerouted or installed, you will need a mechanical permit as well. The city can inspect the job site to make sure that the proper permits are pulled, as well as inspected when they were supposed to be completed. For instance, if you did not get plumbing and electrical approved and you have already started drywalling, an inspector may require you to pull down all the drywall so they can ensure the electrical and plumbing work was installed correctly. You also want to check with your homeowner's association (HOA) to ensure anything you are doing on the exterior of your home meets their requirements, or you might need prior approval from your HOA before starting any kind of work on your home.