Building permit ???s

jeepn-jason

jeepn-jason

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Greensboro
I am remodeling a house and will be tearing down 2 rooms and rebuilding them. Would i need to get a building permit for this? Ive heard that as long as i was only rebuilding damaged area that i wouldnt? Idk just thought id throw this out there, this is my first rodeo with this stuff.
 
it depends what you mean by "tearing down". Are you just removing wall covering (e.g. drywall), floor etc, or replacing/removing/adding any framing? Chanching any electrical fixtures? The rule of thumb is if anything is added, you shold have a permit.
Really the best thin gto do is to call teh county permit office and just ask them, tell them exactly what tyou're doin and they'll tell you if you need the permits or not.
 
RatLabGuy said:
it depends what you mean by "tearing down". Are you just removing wall covering (e.g. drywall), floor etc, or replacing/removing/adding any framing? Chanching any electrical fixtures? The rule of thumb is if anything is added, you shold have a permit.
Really the best thin gto do is to call teh county permit office and just ask them, tell them exactly what tyou're doin and they'll tell you if you need the permits or not.
Click to expand...


There are two rooms built on a concrete pad, and one of the rooms has some termite damage. I want to tear this up and rebuild what is there using a regular foundation. I will not build larger, prolly actually smaller.
 
You're going to need a permit for that major of a job.
 
damn thats what i was afraid i was going to hear. Im gonna give the county a call in the morning.
 
IMO getting the permits isn't that big of a deal, the fees are pretty small in the scope of things.
Yes, you'll have to have inspection, but thsi really is for your own sake and honestly I like the idea of a "free" inspection by a pro anyway.
 
lockedup5 said:
If it is structural (load bearing) yes you will need a permit. Another rule of thumb is if you have to ask this question then the answer is probably yes.
Click to expand...


Dang i was hoping being in the sticks was gonna help me out here! haha. I absolutely hate talking to anyone at the surry county board of whatevers, everyone just acts like you should already know this stuff. They dont wanna give any info!
 
The permit was $65 to replace my Heat Pump, Did it my self a few weeks ago. The inspection was a joke, He walked in said you do this your self, I said yes sir, He said looks good. That was it.

I agree you should pull permits, But had this not been a requirement for me to get a tax credit on my heat pump, I would not have pulled the permit.

You just gotta know when you should and shouldn't, You just have to use your judgement.

For example

I wouldn't pull one for: Replacing a light fixture, adding a light, changing a switch out, Replacing a faucet or toilet.

I would pull for: Adding a new circuit in the house, Redesigning the layout of a room by relocating walls, Changing the roof. Any job over 5k as witch doctor said.

They also told me if I replace my deck board I would need to get a permit and have it inspection. :rolleyes:
 
jeepn-jason said:
I absolutely hate talking to anyone at the surry county board of whatevers, everyone just acts like you should already know this stuff. They dont wanna give any info!
Click to expand...

At least Wilkes county inspectors aren't the only a**holes out there. I called several times asking what paperwork i needed to bring to get everything taken care of. I finally took off work early to go. Got there and talked to someone, found out i didn't have everything i needed. I was pissed. Had to leave work early once again.:mad:
 
The guys in Forsyth were pretty laid back. When I finished my basement, my HVAC work literally consisted of cutting a hole in the side of an existing duct, attaching a 2" extension, and screwing a register on it.
I asked them, "Do I reeeeaaaally need a permit for this?" Guy said, "Look, your parts cost is about $20 and 20 mins of time. We won't worry about it." I did get electrical and structural permits at the same time though.
 
jeepn-jason said:
There are two rooms built on a concrete pad, and one of the rooms has some termite damage. I want to tear this up and rebuild what is there using a regular foundation. I will not build larger, prolly actually smaller.
Click to expand...

can it be seen from the road?
 
pootie said:
can it be seen from the road?
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking....I wouldn't pull a permit for any interior changes/fixes in my own house but if it can be seen from the road then yes.A tear down and rebuild of rooms as you describe will definately need a permit. If you have your ducks in a row, it is easier for a homeowner to get the permit than a contractor. There are dickhead inspectors everywhere, be nice, have things in order and usually it will go well.
 
burrellsjeep said:
The permit was $65 to replace my Heat Pump, Did it my self a few weeks ago. The inspection was a joke, He walked in said you do this your self, I said yes sir, He said looks good. That was it.
I agree you should pull permits, But had this not been a requirement for me to get a tax credit on my heat pump, I would not have pulled the permit.
You just gotta know when you should and shouldn't, You just have to use your judgement.
For example
I wouldn't pull one for: Replacing a light fixture, adding a light, changing a switch out, Replacing a faucet or toilet.
I would pull for: Adding a new circuit in the house, Redesigning the layout of a room by relocating walls, Changing the roof. Any job over 5k as witch doctor said.
They also told me if I replace my deck board I would need to get a permit and have it inspection. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...



How much is the tax credit? I got the credit when I replaced my heat pump and didn't pull a permit. I guess if they ever checked then I'd be in trouble? Oh well, its $65...


Here we need a permit for building new decks but not for replacing the deck surface boards. I guess they may think that since the hand rails are being removed that they want to inspect them to be sure they meet the requirements, etc. Who knows. Every county is different...




I've done all kinds of stuff to my home without a permit. I've run new wires, wired in my welder, added outlets, changed heat pump, refurbished the deck, added new lights in the garage, added a 100amp sub panel, installed new ductwork, replaced girders and floor joists, installed a new garage door opener, etc. etc. However, being a contractor, I feel I know what I can do and how to do it to the code/proper way so I feel a little better by not pulling permits. I guess everything was good as when I sold the home the home inspector didn't make note of anything out of the ordinary :D
 
rockcity said:
How much is the tax credit? I got the credit when I replaced my heat pump and didn't pull a permit. I guess if they ever checked then I'd be in trouble? Oh well, its $65...
Here we need a permit for building new decks but not for replacing the deck surface boards. I guess they may think that since the hand rails are being removed that they want to inspect them to be sure they meet the requirements, etc. Who knows. Every county is different...
I've done all kinds of stuff to my home without a permit. I've run new wires, wired in my welder, added outlets, changed heat pump, refurbished the deck, added new lights in the garage, added a 100amp sub panel, installed new ductwork, replaced girders and floor joists, installed a new garage door opener, etc. etc. However, being a contractor, I feel I know what I can do and how to do it to the code/proper way so I feel a little better by not pulling permits. I guess everything was good as when I sold the home the home inspector didn't make note of anything out of the ordinary :D
Click to expand...

Tax Credit is 30% of the cost up to 5k, So at 5k its 1.5k. Wifes a CPA.

Did mine myself it ran was just over 5k :huggy:

But I am a licensed low voltage electrician. So I fill good about my wiring to code. I finished my entire basement, Wiring, Heating, Sheetrocked, and put in a ceiling with out a permit.
 
I'm guilty of not pulling permits just like everyone else but they are there for many reasons good and bad. Thing is say you rewire something that requires a permit but you don't pull one and the house burns down. I've been told by a few people (inspectors, insurance co.) that if the house burns down the ins. co. will research for permits pulled. If you didn't pull one they do not have to pay!! True or not do we want to take that risk?
 
that should depend on the actual cause of the fire. If it was installed incorrectly and that is what caused the fire then they may have grounds. However, if the fire was just a component failure then the insurance company should still pay. But, they'll try to get out of it anyway they can so you'd have a hard time in court with that one I'd imagine.
 
By putting it back the same as it was, I mean same square footage. I've knocked out walls, built new ones, moved plumbing, and wired several things over the years without permits. Like I said before, Know what your doing.
 
Yeah im going back with same square footage, im gonna work until they stop me! There is hardly any traffic on the road and the part that will be getting torn down is on the back of the house, barely visable from the road.
 
Back
Top