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What's the rule on when you need a permit and when you don't? We are getting ready to finish our 3rd floor. Electrical and HVAC were roughed by the builder. We were told that we didn't need a permit since it was under-roof, there would be no structural changes and there was no need for inspection to get certificate of occupancy...is this not true?
I'm a little skeptical on that.
Call your local Permits and Inspections department, either in the town you are in, or the county if that is where the jurisdiction is.
They will tell you.
Better to err on the side of getting a permit, than to finish unpermitted, IMO.
If there is no permit for the space, and you try to claim a square footage different than the tax rolls show, you will likely have resale issues.
What's the rule on when you need a permit and when you don't? We are getting ready to finish our 3rd floor. Electrical and HVAC were roughed by the builder. We were told that we didn't need a permit since it was under-roof, there would be no structural changes and there was no need for inspection to get certificate of occupancy...is this not true?
I recently added ONE electrical outlet outside and got a permit. I actually had to TELL the electrician that I wanted it!
Then I added a deck and got a permit. The permit guy who came to inspect the deck asked if I had a permit for the electrical outlet. I did. He said that part of his job is if he sees UNPERMITTED work, he notifys the city/town because it is ILLEGAL to not get a permit.
Finishing a 3rd floor, you need a permit. Besides, the city/town comes back to inspect the work and to make sure that it is done to code. Wouldn't you want someone to make sure the work was done correctly and is safe for your family?
I recently added ONE electrical outlet outside and got a permit. I actually had to TELL the electrician that I wanted it!
Then I added a deck and got a permit. The permit guy who came to inspect the deck asked if I had a permit for the electrical outlet. I did. He said that part of his job is if he sees UNPERMITTED work, he notifys the city/town because it is ILLEGAL to not get a permit.
Finishing a 3rd floor, you need a permit. Besides, the city/town comes back to inspect the work and to make sure that it is done to code. Wouldn't you want someone to make sure the work was done correctly and is safe for your family?
Vicki
There is no electrical to be done. The HVAC is also in. Insullation is in. The only work to be done is to drywall. Do you need a permit to drywall? We just had a screened porch built and yes we had permits for the whole project but that included structural and electrical changes.
- Permit is required
- You would come out cheaper installing a "mini-split" HVAC system like used in a hotel room (about a grand) and it would work better. Your current HVAC system in all likelihood would not be correctly sized to add another 200 sq ft of conditioned space. HVAC sizing uses a very precise measurement called "Manual J" .
- Hang the sheetrock yourself if possible then hit new construction neighborhoods to find the sheetrock crew to finish it as a side job. If you are not experienced in finishing sheetrock the final product will be blatantly obvious.
- a "handyman" is fine for small jobs, but they are not specialists for a reason. use a licensed general contractor if you are not doing the work yourself. Plus, you will have recourse with the licensure board if there is a problem.
- anyone you hire, DO NOT pay them any money up front. If they cannot get the materials themselves, they probably are not much of a contractor.
- make whoever works on your house (in any major capacity) sign a lien waiver. This protects you if they get your materials on credit and do not pay the bill. when this happens, the material supplier puts a lien on your house.
- personally verify they have insurance. If they get hurt in your house and are uninsured you may be responsible.
- if you don't have one, you can rent a compound miter saw from home depot for trim work (get the 12" not the 10")
If you have more questions feel free to message me and I will gladly help you out. Good luck!
This is such GREAT advice! I'm saving a copy of this for my home improvement file so I remember it the next time we do something. THANKS! BTW, if we ever buy again, you are the guy we are calling.
One thing no one seems to mention, but that really makes a difference is insulation. Usually there is no, or little, insulation btw interior walls. By adding insulation you really boost energy savings (esp heating in the winter!). We have the same set up with a bonus room over our garage, and it makes a diff both summer and winter compared to others who have the same house design and didn't add the extra insulation.
There is no electrical to be done. The HVAC is also in. Insullation is in. The only work to be done is to drywall. Do you need a permit to drywall? We just had a screened porch built and yes we had permits for the whole project but that included structural and electrical changes.
This thought came to me...
If you are putting up a wall to divide one room into two rooms, the code for electrical says that you must have an electrical outlet every so many feet. This wall, if up to code, will need at least one electrical outlet. Right?
If you are putting up a wall to divide one room into two rooms, the code for electrical says that you must have an electrical outlet every so many feet. This wall, if up to code, will need at least one electrical outlet. Right?
Vicki
We are not putting up a wall...Just drywall. I have a call in and an email in to the Wake Forest permit office to find out for sure if we need one or not.
Location: East Wake County - Zebulon, Specifically
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I would hire out the drywall - It's heavy, dusty and hard to finish the seams and screwheads smoothly. They may need to remove some windows to fly it into the room if your builder didn't leave you enough.
We have a bonus over the garage and thoroughly enjoy the space.
Temperature: It does get hotter/cooler than the rest of the house. We just had ridge vents along the roof line installed and that has seriously helped control the heat. I'd make sure to have the air vents come from the ceiling to blow cool air downward...make sure you put in plenty. Ours could stand a few more.
Storage: Don't forget to leave some space for storage, even if you have a 3rd floor attic or walk up. When we went house hunting we saw homes that had huge bonus rooms, taking away all storage space. We didn't consider that home. Even if you have to configure odd angles to section off storage you'll be happy, and will get fun angles for different spaces in the room...like a reading niche. Built ins make it look like it was part of the plan vs. an after thought. Window seats with storage are also very appealing.
Door: We have a door on ours but leave it open all the time for air flow...but it is sure nice to have it there if you want/need to shut it. It is easier than having one installed later. My neighbor had to do that across the street...and I just heard a local DJ saying he wished he had one on his "mancave". Consider when you have company or want to keep the kids quiet.
Also, we have a pet door installed on one of the eaves door...that's where we have the litter box. We have no smells at all.
I actually turned a 2-story family room into 2 rooms, with the living below and a bonus above. I hired out and it was worth every penny in return. I paid about $20K after all said and done for about 270 sq feet. Not a bad investment if you ask me.
I had no choice but to get a permit since it was structural in nature..plus I had to pay an engineer to certify the structure wouldn't fall down (Town of Apex required that for legal purposes).
I went with somebody that was not the cheapest and had completed work on a friend's of ours. They were part of a company, not independent, so that made me feel very secure about things.
Anyways, it was completed in 5 weeks (HVAC, Electrical, etc.). All I did was paint and caulk.
I paid in 3 or 4 installments as work was completed. Never pay up front...make them keep coming back for more. Plus, its easy to get them to fix stuff if they want their cash!
Who did the work for you? Can u provide referral
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who did the work for you
