Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Have you engaged an architect? That is really the FIRST step.
Have one holistic plan, with the degree of design and specification detail
that your competence (or lack of) requires from others ...
to include qualifications of whichever contractors you might hire.
Hogwash.
Architects are great, really. I have worked with several.
The OP describes work that indicates no need for an architect.
Sounds like I need to call the county to clarify (we are just outside city limits). We’ve engaged an architect and structural engineer for changes we plan to make downstairs in the next year (expanding into the garage to add a laundry room and building a small front porch.) This upstairs renovation was suppose to be cosmetic but then we realized the previous owners did some interesting DIY including plumbing changes outside of the drywall.
I want it done correctly and to code but also don’t want to stop the project because we are living in an Airbnb ($$$) while they finish work since they are our only full bathrooms.
I will definitely get permits for future window projects based on comments above.
Perhaps you need to call the the City of Raleigh and ask their opinion, but if you are making any major / minor structural modifications, then yes, you do need permits. BTW, I am a retired general contractor.
Cosmetic work only (paint, carpet, tile etc.) then no permits required.
In the bonus room above the garage, we are closing off a window where we’d like to place a TV. To compensate for lost natural light, we will be expanding the size of an existing window on another wall.
In the bonus room above the garage, we are closing off a window where we’d like to place a TV. To compensate for lost natural light, we will be expanding the size of an existing window on another wall.
Sounds like I need to call the county to clarify (we are just outside city limits). We’ve engaged an architect and structural engineer for changes we plan to make downstairs in the next year (expanding into the garage to add a laundry room and building a small front porch.) This upstairs renovation was suppose to be cosmetic but then we realized the previous owners did some interesting DIY including plumbing changes outside of the drywall.
I want it done correctly and to code but also don’t want to stop the project because we are living in an Airbnb ($$$) while they finish work since they are our only full bathrooms.
I will definitely get permits for future window projects based on comments above.
Assuming your contractor is competent and is doing good work, and is licensed, I'd follow their advice as far as the bathroom remodel.
Assuming your contractor is competent and is doing good work, and is licensed...
That's asking a LOT from anyone in NC who calls themselves a "contractor"
See the earlier post. Follow the advice and ignore hogwash comments.
The Point: One plan for the whole place as "updating" can mean anything...
and invariably will climb in scope/cost as the "while we're at it's" come up.
A job over $30,000 requires a licensed GC. And, it is difficult to imagine a typical homeowner letting a job @$30,000 or more that doesn't include a permitting requirement.
Maybe a gold toilet?
Great point. If you're spending cubic dollars, it pays to follow the rules. Buyers used to be skeered of unpermitted items, but these days its winner takes all.
In the bonus room above the garage, we are closing off a window where we’d like to place a TV. To compensate for lost natural light, we will be expanding the size of an existing window on another wall.
Have you looked at different TV mounting options instead of going to all of that trouble and expense for permanent structural changes? They have motorized systems that will make the TV disappear into a cabinet, adjustable height mounts that can move the TV up and down a couple of feet and extreme short throw laser projectors that could project to a screen which would only be deployed while watching. All would be less expensive/complicated and would be easy to reverse if you change your mind.
Have you looked at different TV mounting options instead of going to all of that trouble and expense for permanent structural changes? They have motorized systems that will make the TV disappear into a cabinet, adjustable height mounts that can move the TV up and down a couple of feet and extreme short throw laser projectors that could project to a screen which would only be deployed while watching. All would be less expensive/complicated and would be easy to reverse if you change your mind.
Yeah that is just silly. I cannot imagine doing that for a TV
That's asking a LOT from anyone in NC who calls themselves a "contractor"
See the earlier post. Follow the advice and ignore hogwash comments.
The Point: One plan for the whole place as "updating" can mean anything...
and invariably will climb in scope/cost as the "while we're at it's" come up.
Why would one hire an architect for a bathroom update? It isn't exactly adding a second floor...
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