Home Renovations: Projects that typically require a Building Permit

6 DIY Projects That You'll Need a Permit For

 By  Dottie Wells, Branch Mgr, Bethany Beach MD Long  & Foster

Many DIY projects can be a lot more complicated than they appear on the popular home improvement shows. One of the things that isn't often mentioned is that there are a lot of projects that require a permit before you get started creating a magazine-worthy space.

A building permit provides you with protection. It makes sure that your work is up to code and no laws are being broken in the process. Permits also spell out who has liability if there are issues experienced by the municipality or your neighbors. Additionally, unpermitted work (like plumbing or electrical) can result in a denied homeowner's insurance claim if there is a catastrophic event like an electrical fire or water damage due.

Unpermitted work can lead to a cancelled insurance policy or even fraud charges for failing to disclose additions to your home. It can also lead to complications or even cancel the sale of your home down the line. During the home inspection and approval process in a sale it will be necessary for you to produce all the permits that are on file. Without them, the lender for the buyer may be hesitant to make the loan.

Before you pick up a saw, nail gun or screwdriver, take a trip to your local government's permit office. Each location will have its own rules for what projects will require a permit, so it is important to check. Permits apply to both interior and exterior projects like replacing windows or a bathroom remodel. If you have hired a contractor for the job, they should know what is needed and will fill out and file the necessary paperwork, but DIY applies to the paperwork as well.

Here is a brief list of projects that typically require a building permit:

1. Fences. Before you put in a new fence check with both your local government and your homeowner's association (if applicable). While not all fences need a permit, there are often height restrictions or you may be limited to a particular type of fencing and specific landscaping.

2. Remodeling the kitchen/bathroom. This includes moving any interior or exterior plumbing or wiring and knocking down interior walls. If you plan on installing a gas stove, this too will require a permit.

3. Changing the footprint.  Any change to the footprint of your home will require a permit. This encompasses building a deck; adding a room, a garage or shed; or even constructing storm shelters and safe rooms.

4. Putting in new windows or doors.

5. Putting on new siding.

6. Installing water heaters or ventilation projects

Not all home improvement projects will necessitate filling out paperwork. If you're redecorating the living room and it only includes paint and wallpaper, new flooring and carpet or repainting the kitchen and changing out the countertops, it's unlikely you'll need a permit.

So before you start your next project, make sure you've investigated the proper permits. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch and I will guide you to the right answers.

Renovations: How to Renovate Your Home Without Exceeding Neighborhood Value

How to Renovate Your Home without Exceeding Neighborhood Value

by Courtney Soinski

Before you decide to renovate your home, it’s important to understand that not all renovations will increase the value. It is certainly possible to over-remodel, and you don’t want it to exceed the value of your neighbors’ homes. Here are some ways to get the highest return on investment (ROI) possible when the time comes to sell your home.

Projects always worth your while

There are specific renovation projects that can deliver the greatest effect on your ROI, regardless of the real estate market’s current state or the value of surrounding homes. According to real estate expert Robert Stammers in a recent article in Investopedia, these can be projects such as an addition of a wood deck, kitchen and bathroom upgrades as well as window replacements.

Factor in location

A common mistake that homeowner tend to make is renovating their homes to the point where it exceeds the value of surrounding homes. The fact of the matter is that people look in a specific neighborhood because of its proximity to nearby businesses or recreation and it’s in their price range. If improvements done to your home are much higher than homes around you, it’s unlikely that they’ll want to pay more for those improvements, even if they’re interested.

Make improvements that will add value over time

Some home improvements, like upgrading the technological features of a home, will not have a lasting impact, and may even bring down the home value. These types of renovations are at a higher risk of becoming obsolete and outdated as years pass. Technology and styles change all the time, so focus on improvements that are less likely to be impacted by time and are worth your investment.

Renovations that will pay you back

Regardless of whether a homeowner is planning to sell or not, the ultimate objective of taking on a renovation is to revel in the enjoyment you get from living in an updated home while gaining considerable profit from that investment. There are many tools out there that show the kind of profit you can expect from specific home remodels. A perfect example of this is Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value” annual report.

Here are some of the findings from the 2015 Remodeling     Cost Vs. Value report:

Projects that deliver the highest percentage of return on investment

• Entry door replacement (steel): 101.8%
• Garage door replacement: 88.4%
• Siding replacement (fiber-cement): 84.3%
• Siding replacement (vinyl): 80.7%
• Deck addition (wood): 80.5%

Renovation projects that deliver the lowest percentage of return on investment 

• Sunroom addition: 48.5%
• Home office remodel: 48.7%
• Master suite addition: 53.7%
• Garage addition: 54.7%
• Bathroom addition: 57.8%