Don't forget remodeling permits

If a contractor asks a homeowner to pull his or her own permits, that should be a red flag for a homeowner to find a different remodeler, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.Relying on a contractor to navigate the permitting process can save homeowners time, money and stress. "A reputable contractor should object to a homeowner pulling his or her own permits," says Darius Baker, owner of D&J Kitchens and Baths in Sacramento, and a certified member of NARI. "It's part of the service that a consumer should expect when they hire a contractor." Permits are the way cities regulate construction and help ensure that all construction is safe. The safety of the occupants of buildings is the primary reason for having construction codes, and the permits are an agreement that whatever work is being done to a home complies with these codes. Most home projects require a permit, and the permit and inspection process can be a tedious process. Although homeowners are allowed to pull their own permits, it is in their best interest to have the remodeler they hired do it instead. The first reason is the process of getting the permit will generate a flurry of questions from the local building department that the homeowner is most likely not qualified or prepared to answer. "The homeowner then has to run back and forth between their designer, contractor or architect to answer the questions, and that's not an efficient way to spend time," Baker says. Having the remodeler talk to the building department when he or she pulls the permit will help speed up the approval process. Second, if homeowners pull the permits, they - instead of the remodeler - will be responsible for the project and have to answer to local building inspectors during home inspections. Inspectors are going to look at details that the homeowner might not know how to address. The homeowner will then need to consult with their remodeler to sort out any problems the inspector finds. Having a remodeler pull permits can also help the homeowner save money. A contractor may charge his client for three hours to get permits, but that charge includes all the back and forth discussion with the local building department and inspectors. "A homeowner who takes time off of work to get these permits will have to ask themselves, 'How valuable is my time?'" Baker says. The contractor can also save money by negotiating fees. Permit fees are usually calculated by the value and scope of a project. If you have a good contractor, the contractor will know how to get the permits for the least amount of money. Overall, it's always a good practice to rely on a certified remodeler to pull permits.

********** Published: September 25, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 23