DIY Projects Still Require Building Permits

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

With the popularity of home improvement TV shows, many home owners are taking matters of their house into their own hands.  With the use of these TV shows, Youtube, and the internet as a whole, it has become more practical to make your own renovations and additions to your house than ever before. 

One of the main attractions of going the DIY route is it can help you save lots of money.  This money can be used in turn to fund better quality materials for your home.  However, if you overlook the necessity of a building permit all those savings can go down the drain.

Most people aren’t aware that their city requires a building permit even for many DIY home improvement projects. 

Even minor fixes can require a permit.  Replacing appliances? Yup a permit is required.  Building a fence? Don’t forget your permit.  Building a patio? You’ll need a permit for that too.

Depending on the work needed to be done, a permit can range from $50 upwards to $7,500 (information based on data collected by HomeAdvisor from its members actual project costs).  The average lies around $1,200.  However, the cost fluctuates depending on the type of project and the state you’re in.  Before proceeding with any DIY projects, check with your municipal building department for all necessary forms and to get an estimate of the permit(s) needed and its cost(s).

Any additions your home are for your long term benefit.  Don’t think short-sighted when making renovations; it’ll only hurt you in the long-run.

For example, at a parking meter, it’s better to pay the meter $1.50 for an hour instead of getting a ticket for $50.  When tackling projects in your home it’s better to pay $200 for a permit instead of paying three times that to pay a contractor to redo your work to bring it up to proper standards.

Before going out and buying all of the necessary equipment to tackle a DIY home improvement project, become aware of the necessary permits. Ignoring permits, knowingly or unknowingly, can cause major roadblocks when you decide to sell your home in the future.