do ppl actually go to their town to get permits

awhile back I called the electrical inspector and was asking questions. And he kinda said I dont even need the permit.


I dont even want to go for the building permit .

 

I asked the same question when I finished my basement, not on here though. Heres what I was told.

"Unless you are changing the room(s) structure you should get a permit. If you are just remodeling you dont really need a permit. If you add a window or outside door that was not there you will need a permit. If you build outside or onto the house you will need a permit."

I guess their point was that if it was out of sight, its out of mind.

But its totaly up to you if you want to get the permit, their not that expensive, its just the convinence factor that most people fuss over. You be the judge.

Brian

 

If you do anything structural, or mechanical such as plumbing or electrical, and don't do it to code, you could run into a problem later when you go to sell the property.
Permit or not, just do it right the first time.
Good luck!
Mike

 

When you go to sell the house (or when the non-permitted work is discovered), you could be forced to bring all non-permitted work up to the code in force at that time (even if you have to tear off the drywall so that they can see that it's up to code). And you can bet that code years from now is going to require stuff that you won't be doing today. With a permit, all work that was done according to code at the time it was done is generally okay forever.

But even more important, the inspectors will catch safety violations that you will almost certainly commit. I know you want your family to be safe. You make your kids buckle up in the car, don't you?

 

Electrical work is especially touchy. I've been told it is possible that if electrical work is not inspected, an insurance company could refuse to pay off in the event of a fire caused by faulty work. Never actually heard of it happening but, I guess it is possible. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, I would at minimum, have it inspected. The other side of the issue (at least in our area) is that basement space is not considered living space - unless you actually live in it, like a bedroom or something. Then, you need means of egress and it becomes living space. If you were enclosing a workshop in your basement, our town does not require a permit but ALL electrical work is required to be inspected regardless of who does it and all Plumbing, unless done by the homeowner is required to be done by a licensed plumber (or under his direct supervision).

Around here, most DIY's don't bother with permits for work inside the house. For additions, including decks and also sheds, you better get one or the deck police will get you - and, they have made people tear them down. I once had to move an 8x12 shed for a guy who got 6 inches too close to the lot line - the town wouldn't give him a variance - big deal, 14'6 vs. 15' required but they wanted to be a P**** about it. He also had to spend 275 bucks to have the lot surveyed so he could prove to the town the shed was now 15 feet away.

 

Recently there was a post on one of the forums by a realtor who wanted to know what to do about selling a house with a finished basement for which no permits were gotten and there were code violations. The choices were to bring it to code or tear out the basement and sell the house with an unfinished basement. It is best to check with the local authorities regarding codes and inspections.