The Sooner you Get your Permit, the Better

The housing and home improvement industries usually experience their busiest seasons in the spring as buyers are waking up from the winter lull to do business and home owners decide to make some major improvements or renovations before trying to sell or just to enjoy the spring and summer in their refurbished backyard patio or skylight den.

It is commonly known that the best time to save money on home improvement projects is in the winter when there is less demand for them but waiting until the spring may not only cost you more money but more time as well.

The article, “Why You Need A Building Permit, And Fast,” written by Broderick Perkins and published in the February 26, 2007 edition of Realty Times explains why you need to get your building permit as soon as possible.

The longer you wait to get a builder permit for your home improvement project, the longer the lines and approval wait will be. Any delay could cost you a lot more money when it comes time to find the best contractor and purchase the necessary materials.

And as the lines get longer, your patience may grow shorter, which could ultimately sacrifice your project’s outcome.
“Smart home owners have caught on and are snatching up contractors and supplies at the best prices and a spring rush on fix-ups could leave you behind the eight ball.”

This year, home improvement spending could become much higher than past years for numerous reasons other than more home owners deciding to stay and fix up their home instead of entering a weak market.
“Aging homes in disrepair from deferred maintenance, home owners with equity to burn, more home owners than ever, and more younger and minority home owners fixing up their first homes, all add to the potential for a spring building boom.”

Basically every home improvement project, large or small, requires the acquiring of a building permit.

Building permits trigger inspections of the plans and the work to make sure it all adheres to building codes. Building codes are a minimum set of standards for the design, materials and building techniques created specifically to protect the health and safety of anyone occupying buildings. Codes typically are set locally based on local building conditions.”
You will want to obtain a permit to ensure all the necessary codes are met during the project but also to protect yourself legally in case you are caught without one. The permit police are not likely to randomly knock on your door on a Monday morning and ask for your building permit but there are certain events and situations that may prompt them to do so.

“A home buyer's home inspector could uncover home improvement work -- good or bad -- and request the home's permit record to determine the quality of the work.”
“An appraiser may seek permit records to learn if significant renovations should affect the value of a home.”

And most home sellers are required by law to disclose any items, such as improvements that could affect the home’s selling value. Failure to do so because of lack of permit will cost much more than just the permit if you are caught.
“You could have to pay for the cost of any inspections required to make a further determination. You also could be forced to dismantle some of the work, say, excavate dirt along the foundation, tear down sheet rock or take other steps so the inspector can look at framing, insulation, wiring, plumbing or other systems.”

You will also most likely face penalties and fines as well as jeopardize your credibility with the prospective buyer.

Purchase your permit as early as possible to avoid long lines and contractor delays. Your timely and cost efficient improvement project will be your reward.

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