Permits are not required for every home renovation or construction project. Professional contractors and homeowners can usually perform simple repairs or replacements without submitting a permit application. Any construction project involving additions or significant changes to your home’s structure or mechanical system will usually require that you obtain a building permit from the local building department or ask for a permit company near me. Sometimes a contractor can get a permit, but often everything is done through a permit expediter. Even if you plan to do the work on your own, a permit expediter can ensure that all forms are filed correctly.
The Chicago and surrounding areas have specific requirements for a permit, and one of the best ways for you to make sure that you get everything done correctly is to contact a permit expediter.
How Do I Find a Permit Company Near Me?
Permit expediters obtain a building permit using this process:
They will contact the local building department and ensure what type of permit is needed before you ask the permit company near me a question. They have an application form that will be filled out. Based on the job, there may need to be multiple permits.
They ensure that all needed documentation is included in the application.
They submit the application and pay fees. They then receive a building permit.
They will instruct you where to place your building permit.
They will also contact the inspection office to ensure that any work being done is done correctly.
When the inspector signs that everything is up to code, a building permit is no longer needed.
Is it possible to bypass the building permit?
Unfortunately, it is common for homeowners to carry out home improvement projects without getting a permit, paying the application fee, obtaining an approval letter, or asking about a permit company near me. While completing such projects with good quality and without any problems, bypassing the formal permit process is not a good idea. These are some risks to be aware of:
You may discover that the buyers’ inspection uncovers additions or remodeling done without the proper permits and that is no longer up to code when you try to sell your home. Using a permit may enable you to sell the house and prevent you from undoing previously completed work.
It is possible that your homeowner’s damage and liability policy will not cover your damages following a fire, structural collapse, or a significant plumbing problem if it turns out that the mishap was caused by work done without a permit or inspection.
Inspections Are Required
You and your contractor must not ignore this step in the permit process.
A few projects even require two inspections-one during the rough-in phase and another at the end. Inspections are used to ensure work is done following local codes.
Sometimes, these visits are brief and superficial. The inspector’s review can be brief and comprehensive when they are familiar with the contractor’s work. If the homeowner has performed the work, the inspector may spend more time on the inspection.
Inspections that fail can be re-inspected
It is because of this fear that homeowners avoid the process of getting a building permit.
A problem flagged by you can usually be corrected. Inspecting again (or even three times, if necessary) before signing off (closing) the permit will be done once the work is completed according to the inspector’s standards.
Permits Are Serious Business If Ignored
Especially if you are working inside your home, where you can work without anyone seeing you, it can be tempting to ignore the permit process and hide your work. Taking shortcuts might get you by, but they’ll also cost you plenty in the long run.
The costs of obtaining a permit may be high if work is done without a required permit. If you want to get your work inspected, you may have to tear out walls and ceilings. The entire project will have to be reconstructed if you make any mistakes.
A change in your home insurance policy can also affect you. If your insurance policy denies coverage because the work was not approved, then it may cost out of pocket to fix anything that may happen.
Is a building permit required for all types of projects?
Permits are not required for every construction project. The building codes of your locality will determine whether a permit is needed for your project. Permitting requirements for each municipality vary. There is a tendency for regulations to reflect regional issues. For instance, building codes in Florida are frequently based on safety considerations caused by heat and humidity. There may be strict fireproofing requirements in rural areas prone to forest fires.
Permits are typically needed for projects that alter the structural or functional characteristics of a building or that create unsafe working conditions. This is why you need guidance from Permit companies like Suncoast Permits.
