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Will I Need a Building Permit for My Roofing Job?
Apr 11, 2017
A permit is needed according to your local code and regulations on constructing or renovating. This is mainly to regulate every group of buildings under a certain standard so structural design elements don’t violate the rights of another person, support criminal activity, or interfere with the neighborhood’s personal space. In rural areas, for example, less stringent regulations apply to renovations or construction projects.
A building permit rests on the following five conditions for home remodeling:
- New Construction: Constructing a new home or an extension of it (i.e. garages, storage rooms, guest houses, shed roofs, sunrooms, gazebos, etc.) always requires a building permit so limits on structural height and other regulations are adhered to. If you’re planning on setting a fence or privacy screen around your home, you’ll need a building permit for the local government to ensure that you’re not violating your neighbor’s space or extending beyond the square footage of your land.
- Additions like garages, storage rooms, guest houses, shed roofs, sunrooms, gazebos, porches, and decks may require a building permit depending on your state or city’s regulations. If you build a shed roof without a permit, you may be violating the height limit of your neighborhood or town.
- Radical or Substantial Renovations: Regulations vary from place to place, and almost any remodel or renovation has something said about it regionally. Don’t try to cut corners or deviate from your original remodeling plans too much or you might get in trouble.
- Structural Changes refer to any changes made to the skeleton of the building, such as the walls, attic, roof, or basement. Getting a building permit for such purposes will at least ensure your safety and the safety of the structure’s future inhabitants. Any weight-bearing structure needs to be inspected for any weaknesses to avoid a potential devastation.
- Plumbing, Electric, or Mechanical Work: Each of these items may require separate documents apart from the permit itself. This is due to each of them potentially requiring a major reconstruction or renovation of some kind.
The cost of a building permit depends on the area where the project will take place and the size of the project itself. A permit for a minor home adjustment can cost as little as $100 while more large-scale and complex projects could run up to $4,000. The average spent by most homeowners in 2016 was found to be $500 - $2,000.
