Let's just look at some building permit basics for a minute. Like, why do they even exist?
Well, though some may find this hard to believe but the government is trying to look out for all of us. The building permit process has been put in place to make sure that people will be living in safe conditions and property values won't plummet because buildings are falling down on top of their owners and occupants. Yea, ok maybe that's a little too basic, but still it makes the point. So take it for it's simplicity and realize that a building permit is designed to protect you...the owner. So as the owner of a home or building, you should want something to ensure that your building is going to function as it should, in a safe manner and not cause you undue problems in the future.
Now let's revisit the question about permits with that frame of mind. The first thing that you should ask your potential contractor is, "Will this work you are doing require a building permit"? The answer you should hear 9 times out of 10 is "yes it will and then blah blah blah" about the process. Yea, contractors typically don't have fun getting permits because, well, most people in the trades would rather spend time impressing you with their craft rather than dealing with administrative issues. But, contractors know that its part of the process and they just have to deal with getting one.
But what if you hear "No, we won't need one for (insert any answer you want)", then its time for you, the diligent owner (who is ready to drop some hard earned cash what could be the biggest investment of your life), to spring into action. Ok, by "spring into action" I really just mean picking up the phone and calling your local building code enforcement office. I guarantee if you are savvy enough to read blogs, you'll be able to use a search engine to find the number you need to call in about 5 seconds. Tell the building department the basics of what your renovation will include and they will quickly tell you if you need a permit and what kind. Don't feel bad for calling them, its their job to tell their fellow citizens what needs to be done. I mean c'mon, if you knew everything, they'd be out of work.
Now if your contractor told you that a permit isn't need, and you spent a whole 5 minutes to determine that you need one, stop everything on the spot and find a new contractor . From all of my experiences there are 3 reasons why contractors won't get a building permit.
1. They don't know the rules of industry.
Ok, if they don't know that, then its safe enough to assume that they don't know enough about everything else in the business and you are going to end up with some shabby work.
2. They are too lazy/ too busy to bother with a permit.
Well, that's probably not the contractor that's going to give you the dream remodel you have in your mind. We all know the horror stories of people hiring a contractor and the experience is nothing short of miserable and costly.
3. They don't qualify!
Yes! This is the big one that most people don't realize. In most jurisdictions, contractors can't just walk into the municipal building department and say "I'd like one permit please"...then pay a couple hundred bucks and buy a nice red and white piece of paper to go hang up in the window of your house while the work is going on. The Agency is going to require a little more than that. Typically, that contractor is going to need to be on an approved list that the Agency develops. "Can any contractor get on that list", you may ask. Well sure they can, so long as they have some of the following:
- Documentation of he appropriate licenses
- Certificates of Insurance that meet the local jurisdiction requirements
- Workers Comp Policy
- Meet the Bonding requirements
- Pay an annual due to conduct work in the jurisdiction
You know, the basics that a real legitimate company has!
The permit process will typically also require some specifics about your specific property.
- A timetable of when the work will start and complete
- A plan! Some actual well though out drawing of what will happen to your property
Yea, any of this stuff sound unreasonable to you, the person that is bringing someone to your most prized investment that you must trust (and pay) for your new dream renovation to happen.
Wait, the permit process gets even better for you, the owner. Now that the government knows that work is happening at your property, they will often send one of their inspectors to see what has been done throughout the process. You get an expert to oversee the quality and safety of the work for you. What a deal! And I can almost guarantee that no matter what industry someone is working in, if their work is going to be inspected by an expert, then it will be done as well as can be.
All this said, yes you the consumer will end up paying more for your construction project due to the permit process. But in reality, it is rare that it increases the cost more than 2 percent. That's well worth the investment. Oh, and we didn't even talk about if the inspector finds a construction project going on without a permit. They have the authority to stop the work and have walls, structure, whatever, torn out to inspect it anyway. Talk about adding some unexpected costs!
Bottom line here, the building permit process is the best insurance a property owner can get for making sure that what your paying for is going to be done right.
For more resources regarding hiring contractors, real estate professionals, inspectors, etc. (free to anyone) please don't hesitate to visit http://www.clearvistallc.com/ and click our resources page.
