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"WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED? When is it necessary to obtain a building permit? Well, the answer is ALMOST ALWAYS! A permit is required anytime work is done on a building or structure, or the systems serving the structure (including plumbing, mechanical and electrical wiring) with a few exceptions, .
Yep. You must have one because you are making changes beyond a finished wall. (past the toilet flange, past the drywall for a shower valve change out, etc.) You need one to change a water heater, change a furnace or air conditioner, or run a single electrical circuit.
And, you should get one. Your Licensed General Contractor should know this and have told you this. He cannot perform this project without a permit unless he wishes to risk being cited by the NC Board of Licensed General Contractors.
And, if you or your heirs ever want to sell the property, we're finding that mortgage companies are deeply researching remodels and improvements to verify that only permitted work was performed and inspected. Going back to get permits for work completed without a permit can be very expensive. Recently an inspector required us to open the walls for an unpermitted project done by others over ten years ago in enough places for inspection that we gutted all the drywall and re-installed it.
My advice: Always hire a licensed, experienced, highly recommended, insured service provider. Insist on permits for all work and arrange to be present during the inspection to hear what a municipal inspector has to say about the quality of the work.
Yes, it adds a small cost. Yes, it adds time to the project. Yes, it can be inconvenient. But, it is all worth it to ensure that all was performed professionally to meet the current Building Code and that there will be no future problems at re-sale that questions any repairs or remodeling.
Yep. You must have one because you are making changes beyond a finished wall. (past the toilet flange, past the drywall for a shower valve change out, etc.) You need one to change a water heater, change a furnace or air conditioner, or run a single electrical circuit.
And, you should get one. Your Licensed General Contractor should know this and have told you this. He cannot perform this project without a permit unless he wishes to risk being cited by the NC Board of Licensed General Contractors.
And, if you or your heirs ever want to sell the property, we're finding that mortgage companies are deeply researching remodels and improvements to verify that only permitted work was performed and inspected. Going back to get permits for work completed without a permit can be very expensive. Recently an inspector required us to open the walls for an unpermitted project done by others over ten years ago in enough places for inspection that we gutted all the drywall and re-installed it.
My advice: Always hire a licensed, experienced, highly recommended, insured service provider. Insist on permits for all work and arrange to be present during the inspection to hear what a municipal inspector has to say about the quality of the work.
Yes, it adds a small cost. Yes, it adds time to the project. Yes, it can be inconvenient. But, it is all worth it to ensure that all was performed professionally to meet the current Building Code and that there will be no future problems at re-sale that questions any repairs or remodeling.
Good post. I definitely know the problems not getting a permit can cause. Yes, we do need a permit for our bathroom remodel. The inspector was at our house yesterday. Now I'm wondering why the GC didn't tell us upfront. I'm wondering what his motive was - was it the fees (I'm assuming whatever fee(s) are involved will be passed on to us anyway so I don't understand why $ would be a factor) or did he just not want to be bothered with the hassle (although it's really not that much of a hassle). In any event, as anyone familiar with my posts knows, I just got through a nightmarish process regarding permits and COs on my house sale in NY and I don't intend for that to ever happen again!!! We're interested in doing other work on our house here in NC but now I'm thinking twice about using the same contractor...
Is this just a Cary thing, or are all towns permit requirements the same?
I mean really, if you need a permit and inspection to add a minor electrical circuit or change a shower valve what is the reason for having licensed electricians and plumbers. Next thing you know you will need a permit to screw in a light bulb.
Cary actually explicitly says that you don't need one for changing out a water heater in a SFH or duplex as long as it's in the same location and uses the same fuel source.
Is this just a Cary thing, or are all towns permit requirements the same?
I mean really, if you need a permit and inspection to add a minor electrical circuit or change a shower valve what is the reason for having licensed electricians and plumbers. Next thing you know you will need a permit to screw in a light bulb.
Last edited by lovebrentwood; 05-20-2011 at 08:13 AM..
Next thing you know you will need a permit to screw in a light bulb.
You have heard heard the old story about how many people like me it takes to change a lightbulb?
The answer is four (one to call the electrician, one to mix drinks (V&T), and two to lament how much better the old bulb was than the new one.
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When is a permit required for work at your home?
