Renovation Project

If you are planning to renovate your house, move walls around or change or add windows, you will need a building permit.

When you undertake a home renovation project, it’s likely that you’ll be faced with numerous decisions. Each decision will impact the overall project from both a monetary and a design perspective, which means that knowing your best options will help you throughout the process.

Why Might I Start a Renovation Project?

There comes a time when any property begins to show its age. The decor may look dated, or there may be visible stains or cracks from things like leaks or subsidence. When a property is in serious need of updating, a renovation project is usually in order. This type of project can be anything, from simply repainting to having new units installed in the kitchen/bathroom and even moving/removing walls to change the layout of the property. Doing so can modernize a property and breathe new life into a tired layout or decor.

Renovations may also be necessary if a property is being repurposed. Perhaps a former retail outlet is being converted into a restaurant (or vice-versa). When this type of transition happens, it is often necessary to redecorate and even rethink the layout of the interior. Giving a property a new lease of life is a great thing to do — however, there are often various regulations that must be addressed to ensure that any work carried out is legal. Home improvement consulting services are a great source of reliable advice on this front.

Do I Need a Renovation Project Permit?

The situations that always require a home renovation permit are ones where your plans involve moving or removing walls, adding or removing a window or making new rooms in the property. More cosmetic alterations (such as adding new paint, having new carpets laid out or changing tiles) won’t usually require a home renovation permit.

The purpose of these home improvement permits is to ensure that the work being done is safe and that the structural integrity of the building will not be compromised by the work you do. If your planned renovation project involves repurposing rooms or opening up spaces by removing walls/adding new windows, you should never try to do it without obtaining the right permit. Doing so can land you with a host of consequences down the line.

What Happens if You Get Caught Remodeling Without a Permit?

Many of our clients ask us: What happens if you get caught remodelling without a permit?

The answer is that there are many consequences. These consequences are most likely to arise when issues like refinancing come up, or if the property is put up for sale. If an inspector catches you during the construction process without a permit, you may incur penalties on the spot. There can also be repercussions if any damage or accidents occur due to carrying out work without a permit. If you are lucky enough to avoid these outcomes, the work you do without a permit will likely be discovered when a survey is performed for refinancing or selling your property.

So, what happens if you get caught remodelling without a permit? You will likely be forced to pay a large fine. You will also be required to have any work done inspected — and if there is any risk, it will have to be undone (at your expense). If the work is found to be safe, you will then need to obtain a permit before you can have it completed. If you are a commercial company, this can be extremely damaging to your business and reputation.

How Can Permit Masters Help?

At Permit Masters, our experts can advise on whether the renovation project you are planning requires a home improvement permit. In the case that it does, we can identify the exact permits you will need, assess the likelihood of a successful application and carry out the process of getting a permit on your behalf.

Our experienced project managers can navigate though any red tape and paperwork at every stage, keeping your needs in mind throughout. Our home improvement consulting services are second to none, which means we can help you identify the appropriate renovations project for your needs and maximize your chances of getting it approved. You don’t want to face what happens if you get caught remodelling without a permit. Contact Permit Masters and utilize our home improvement consulting services today!