Building? Remodeling? Don't Forget the Permits

Many homeowners planning their own home improvement projects are looking to cut corners with the budget, whether it is a simple update to the kitchen or bath, a new deck or garage, or something more substantial like finishing out an attic or basement. This means saving on hiring contractors where they can, and doing as much as possible themselves. And we are all for that! Completing your own home improvement projects is a great way to invest in your property and is incredibly rewarding- why do you think we love what we do so much? BUT, when you are tackling your own home projects, being thrifty should end at the bargain hunting for materials and finishes.

Some homeowners think that they can save big bucks by not pulling the proper permits- and this may be one of those short term gain, long term loss scenarios. Building permits are generally a small fraction of the cost of a project- about 1% or less of the total estimated cost of the work being done on most home projects. This initial investment assures that your project meets all local code requirements, providing peace of mind to you and future home buyers as well.

So why don't owners pull permits for work they complete themselves? Well, there are probably many reasons out there, but the ones we hear most frequently are either lack of awareness of permit requirements, or concern over raising property assessment value, and thus raising taxes. This might or might not be true for all projects in all markets. For instance, making improvements to a kitchen or bath will not necessarily affect the assessed value, especially if other homes in your neighborhood have made similar improvements. Repairs, such as replacing an old roof, will generally not affect the assessed value or raise taxes. If you are concerned, you can contact a local realtor or speak to an appraiser in your area about how much your intended project will likely affect assessment value.

One more thing to consider- for many homeowners, remodeling projects are done with the intention to raise property value, with an eye ahead to selling now or sometime down the road. Not filing the proper permits- for say, a second bathroom you squeezed in- can adversely affect your bottom line when you go to list the home, a scenario which can play out in a couple different ways. If you choose to conceal your improvements, you can't list at the full value you have added, meaning a bigger loss on all that investment. If you fess up to your project after the fact, you will have to face the community development office and explain that you completed a project without filing for permits. This is not the end of the world, and they will work with you to get the permits and conduct the proper inspections after the fact, but it is always much easier to do things right the first time around.

Not all projects require permits, but you should check with your local building and community development office to be sure before you begin. Also, remember there is usually a lead time on review and approval- as much as 2 to 3 weeks- so plan accordingly. Doing things the right way will give you peace of mind that your project was done right (and a guilt-free conscience) and save you headaches down the road if you ever go to sell.

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Modern Renovations, LLC is a design and remodeling contractor located in Harrisonburg, VA serving the central Shenandoah Valley. Visit our website at http://www.modreno.com and don't forget to check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ModernRenovations for more tips, trends, and project ideas.