24 Jul Do You Need a Permit to Remodel Your Kitchen?
Planning a kitchen remodel is fun and exciting–until you have to start thinking about the permits and other requirements. Complying with requirements isn’t fun, but it is necessary. For instance, permits help the city regulate construction and aren’t just a way to collect fees. Their main purpose, after all, is to ensure energy conservation and govern safety in your area.
Plus, according to the National Association of Realtors, proper permits must be obtained before you start construction, even if it’s just a kitchen remodel. If you plan to sell your home in the future, failure to get those documents may complicate or cancel the escrow process.
Furthermore, during a home inspection or appraisal process, you are required to prove that the right permits are on file. If a lending bank finds out that kitchen renovations were done without permits, it will likely not give out a loan.
What is Included in a Building Permit?
In Danville, CA, a building permit is required before you can start a kitchen remodel. This permit should be secured for new construction as well as remodel projects, which include alterations, partial demolitions to structures and buildings, repairs, and additions.
Included in the permit, the electrical, mechanical, and or plumbing are included with the permits. The kind of permit you will need depends on the scope of your project, so you may need to get advice from expert home remodelers.
In California, it is highly recommended that the licensed contractor doing the work actually acquires the permit. Homeowners can pull a permit, but it not recommended and can create issues if unlicensed workers are hired to perform the work or the work performed is substandard.
The only way for homeowners to figure out what kind of permit is needed for a kitchen remodel is to schedule a consultation with the city building and permit office. You can also access their website online to review any information that may be helpful for you.
They are also used to addressing inquiries either in-person or by phone. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them in case you need answers to your concerns regarding new construction or remodel permits.
More details about building permits in Danville, CA can be found here.
What Happens if I Skip Obtaining a Permit?
If your kitchen remodel requires a permit, be sure to get it no matter what. For homeowners working with a remodeling contractor who suggests you skip this step, consider hiring another contractor. There are lots of expert home remodelers out there who can help you finish a project while following legal guidelines. Acquiring a permit also means that the work will be inspected by the local municipality and will be completed as per the building codes guidelines
As cumbersome as the renovation process may be, it’s much better to follow all the rules and building codes than dealing with the city once it finds out that you don’t have a building permit. You might be forced to obtain one with double or triple the usual permitting fee.
Or worse, the city may shut down construction while you’re in the middle of the project. You might even be required to tear down significant work–i.e. remove a wall to inspect what’s behind it–if there’s a question as to whether it was completed according to building code.
Conclusion
California State Contractors License Board regulates the codes state wide, but Local municipalities issue building permits and enforce and interpret the codes thru local ordinances. There are state standards, but certain building code interpretations vary from city to city. To know more about the home remodeling permits in your area, call your municipal office or visit their website.
If you hire a reputable remodeling contractor, they will know what kind of permit should be obtained before the project starts. As a homeowner, it’s also your responsibility to make sure that all kitchen renovations are completed lawfully, per local building codes and in a timely manner.