Are you considering a home conversion project? In that case, it is critical to find out from your local permitting department whether you need a building permit. The process is not easy, particularly for residential homeowners.

Building departments usually prioritize commercial buildings interests, and so inquiries and permit acquisition could take a while.

Still, it is critical to ensure you have the correct permit before undertaking any renovation project (or confirmation that you don't need one). In this article, we discuss home conversions that you need permits to undertake, and how our team at FixMyCodeViolation.com can help at any stage.

Types of Home Conversions That Require Building Permits

Building permits are typically issued for work that may affect the public or residents' health and safety if carried out improperly. The local building officials will perform initial, intermediate, and final inspections to ensure work is (being) performed according to the relevant Building Codes.

For large projects, you must supply a Professional Engineer or Architect's plans to describe the extent of alterations and how structural integrity will be maintained. They will check how major and minor alterations affect the electrical and plumbing systems, air conditioning, natural gas pipelines, and other home areas. Our ten-step program can help you with all these, as well as getting permits after you get a code violation.

 

The most common home conversions where you need permits include:

1) Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels

Whether you will undertake a remodeling project yourself or call in general contractors, you need permits to tinker with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. These systems are affected during kitchen and bathroom renovations. You'll also need permits to add or remove walls, windows, doors, or skylights.

Aesthetic/interior remodels like painting walls, changing fixtures like sinks, toilets, and faucets, or adding a countertop, don't require permits. If you're in doubt, always call your local Building Department to verify before beginning the project.

2) Windows and Doors

You need to get permits for any exterior and interior doors, windows, storm shutters, and skylights before making any alterations. Generally, you should get a permit for anything that will require a new opening

The permit ensures that load calculations are done properly, and suitable anchors are installed. You will provide plans to show that the new structure can withstand the alterations and that these alterations adhere to all Building Codes.

 

3) Flooring

You may need a permit before undertaking any major flooring work, particularly if you live in a condo or an HOA-regulated home.

Most changes in these homes can only occur after permissions have been obtained from all relevant authorities.

The Consequences of Carrying Out Conversions without Permits

If you make material changes to your property without following the right channels, your project constitutes an illegal alteration. When this is discovered, you will be charged a penalty, sometimes double or triple the project's value. What's more, you may be asked to undo the alteration. If a homeowners' association or condo is involved, you may have additional fines to pay them.

Some homeowners let their renovators handle the permit work, but it's important to know that you're legally responsible for ensuring that you have the right permits. Additionally, it is more difficult to sell a home with code violations. Buyers shun such properties because the responsibility for the permits passes on to the buyer.

Have a Building Code Violation? Help is Right Here!

Suppose you have carried out home remodeling or conversion projects without the right permits. In that case, it is critical to make things right as soon as you learn about it. At FixMyCodeViolation.com, we specialize in plans and permits, being a group of licensed architects and general contractors.

We have helped hundreds of homeowners in Florida to legalize building code violations while saving much-needed time and money. We can also help you secure the right permits before you begin a remodeling project. Contact us today and let us help you to get your home back on the right side of the law.