8 DIY Projects That (Surprise!) Require Permits

Many people are making the switch from an electric to a gas stove. Depending on where you live, gas could be much cheaper, and if you’re a foodie, food just tastes better cooked over fire. But if installed incorrectly and the gas leaks, it could be extremely harmful. Get a permit and make sure someone is checking behind you to catch any mistakes.

If you think this project seems pretty straightforward, think again. For windows, you need a permit to ensure emergency egress requirements are met in case first responders need to get in. If windows and doors aren’t properly installed, water could get into the house. No one wants a side of mold with their renovations. If you’re feeling drafts season after season, it’s time for a door replacement.

Before building a deck or getting diy sunroom kits Edmonton, first call the permit office. If your deck isn’t structurally sound, or if you used untreated lumber that decays, your deck could collapse, and that could really interfere with your meditation mantra. And don’t even try to guess how to meet building codes for railings. Be safe and get that permit.

“Building a fence requires a survey and a permit,” Goldstein says. The reason for this is usually to ensure you aren’t violating city ordinances by building a fence too high in your residential subdivision or choosing one with barbed wire in the middle of the city. If you build a fence without a permit, you might receive a stop-work order. Avoid making mistakes by hiring professional fencing contractors before you even start. Several advantages are prevent difficult problems from arising, save you money and energy, offer a guarantee for the job they do, and increase property value. They can also get you the right fence boards from your local Lumber mill.

If you want protection from tornadoes (and hurricanes), you might consider installing a shelter. But unless you design and construct this room to FEMA specs, you might not be so safe after all. A huge benefit of a prebuilding permit is that you can register it. “If there is a tornado in your area, first responders will know who has storm shelters and where they need to look for you in case you get trapped inside,” says Blake Lee of F5 Storm Shelters in Tulsa, OK.

You should also consider investing in a power generator as it is extremely reliable and the perfect equipment to have on hand when there is a power cut in your area because of a heavy storm. But, how long will a standby generator run for? Visit pleavinpower.co.uk to find out.

From high heat to other environmental factors, buckling, blistering, or curling are all highly visible signs that your roofing materials are beginning to warp and that the structural integrity of your roof is beginning to degrade. Even a small area of warped roofing can lead to leaks of water or cold air that can cause further damage to your home’s interior, or cause your heating or cooling bills to rise astronomically. As soon as you see signs of this, start contacting local roofing contractors to begin your roof repairs, or roof replacement if the problem is of a bigger scale.

Picking out the perfect granite for your countertops and finding just the right fixtures and cabinetry aren’t the only things on your checklist. If you neglect to get a permit for major kitchen renovations, you might not be able to easily sell your home in the future. Therefore, get a permit when it’s still early.

“If an inspector catches this kind of thing, or if a bank wants to make sure it’s covered against all liability and demands to see the permit before funding a mortgage, this can potentially be a major time and money sink to rectify,” says Kimberly Wingfield, a Philadelphia, PA, real estate agent and DIY fanatic.

Your house in the historic district simply isn’t wired for all your gadgets — but an amateur electrical wiring job could cause a fire. So, if you need electrical repairs, it’s better to call the experts. Ask them if you would need a permit.

Surely you can replace your old water heater without a permit, right? Nope. Although many DIY enthusiasts do it all the time, if it’s done wrong, a fire or flood could ensue, or if gas escapes …kaboom. These risks leave a huge potential for serious injury. A permit also means that an inspector looks over your completed job to ensure it was done properly. This is a huge confidence boost in the knowledge that your work is up to code — and minimizes the potential for home-sale complications down the road.