If you’re planning on performing a major home renovation, you’ll need residential building permits to ensure the work being done is allowable by law. But many homeowners find that they need permit help to get their project going. In fact, you may not even know what goes into obtaining residential building permits. While the necessary… View Article The post 3 Things You Must Include In Your Building Permit Application appeared first on Scout Services.

If you’re planning on performing a major home renovation, you’ll need residential building permits to ensure the work being done is allowable by law. But many homeowners find that they need permit help to get their project going. In fact, you may not even know what goes into obtaining residential building permits. While the necessary components do vary a bit based on location and the scope of the work, here are three things you’ll need to include when you submit your completed application form.

  1. Description of work
    To be approved for a building permit, you’ll need to include a description of the work you want to do. It seems pretty straightforward, but you’d be surprised by how many people fail to give detailed information. If you plan to remove a non-load-bearing wall or put in an extra bathroom in your two-story home, you’ll need to specify that clearly. You’ll also need to describe in detail any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work that needs to be done; however, these jobs will require separate permits.
  2. Documents and calculations
    It’s not enough to explain what you want to do; you need to support the fact that it can feasibly and safely be done. Therefore, you need to provide evidence like construction drawings, proposed layouts, calculations, and other reports your contractor may provide you with. Different kinds of work do require different kinds of plans, so be sure to work with your contractor and expediter to make sure you have everything you need.
  3. Project value
    You’ll also need to include the completed project’s fair market value. This number will include the costs of material and labor. Even if you plan on doing the bulk of the work yourself, you still need to factor in how much you’d normally be charged to complete this project. The market value of a given project can have an impact on how much your permit will cost, as can the location and type of work being done. Your permit can cost anywhere from less than $100 to more than $1,000, so accuracy here is key.

Keep in mind that even if you make certain to include what’s listed above, your residential building permits may still be held up due to incorrect forms or other incomplete information. That’s why so many homeowners work with a company that specializes in permit services. These experts will ensure your forms are complete, correct, and approved in a timely fashion. That way, you can complete your project on time and start enjoying the improvements you’ve made to your home.