When it comes to renovating a bathroom with new tiles, features and designs, the overwhelming feeling is at its peak. However, you might be thinking, do I need a permit for this before taking down walls or installing new plumbing. The fact is that some bathroom remodeling require permits, while others do not.
Whether permits are needed or not for your bathroom or home renovation based on factors like scope or timeline of your project, where you live and some others. To protect yourself from large fines, delays or complications it is necessary to understand the surrounding rules for home and bathroom remodeling with your insurance or home sale. Let’s discuss when a permit is necessary, how to apply for it, permit cost and what happens if you skip the permit.
Why Permits Matter In Bathroom Remodeling?
Legal Requirements For Permits:
Permits are introduced in countries or cities by the local government that every renovation or remodeling process meets with specific requirements and building codes etc. Permits are especially crucial for bathroom remodeling and home renovation process as there plumbing, electrician, fixtures and structural changes occur mostly. These permissions in the form of permits ensure that your work is done with proper safety standards, through which you and your future occupants of the home are protected from any incidents or legal penalties.
What Happen If You Skip The Permit:
Potential Fines or Penalties: if you will skip your permit issuing procedure and get caught, then you might face heavy penalties to pay. Fine range can be between hundreds to thousands dollars, depending on your location and scope of your project.
Impact On Future Home Resale Value: Not having a proper permit for home or bathroom renovation may cause trouble when selling your home, if your remodeling doesn’t meet with the local building codes or wasn’t approved. It prohibits your home from selling purposes or passing inspections.
Insurance Problem: You can also face insurance problems, if any leakage or electrical problem occurs because of unpermitted work, the insurance company may refuse to cover your damage cost or leave you with a hefty repair bill.
Common Misconception About Bathroom Remodeling Permit:
This common misconception is ruling around everywhere about bathroom remodeling permits such as every bathroom transformation requires a permit issue. But in reality there are some changes that require permit insurance such as plumbing, electrical or structural modifications. Still we recommend you to always double-check your local official authorities to ensure that your alteration in the bathroom may require a permit or not.
And if you’re hiring a contractor for bathroom remodeling, then they ensure that your renovation is going on with legal laws and rules to prevent you from any future hurdles. Professionals have knowledge when you need a permit or when not, they even help you to attain it.
When Do You Need A Permit To Remodel A Bathroom?
Finding when you need a permit is necessary to prevent yourself from any future penalties or troubles.
Types of Bathroom Remodel That Require Permits:
There are certain types of bathroom remodeling which require permits because these remodeling need to be changes in structural or fixtures of the home. Here are which includes:
Structural Changes: These changes include removing or adding any wall, moving door into another place or converting window into the door, and expanding window size etc.
Plumbing Changes: Plumbing changes include inserting new plumbing systems, installing new water lines or remodel old ones, moving plumbing fixtures like replacing or relocating bathtub or sink etc.
Electrical Work: Altering any bathroom wires to add new lighting, outlets, fixing electrical fixtures like installing or replacing a bathroom vent fan.
Above cases must require permit issues confirmation as the work meets with specific safety standards and local codes, although some states or cities may not need permit issues for these cases. But it is good to check with your local officials to solve this issue.
When A Permit Is Not Required:
Some updates like below do not need official permission as these changes do not impact on major structures. These are:
Cosmetic Changes: Include painting, replacing out floor or tiles, exchanging faucet or mirror like fixtures.
Minor Updates: Installing new towel bar, relocating or replacing toilet and vanity.
Although these changes may boost the look of your bathroom, still they don’t affect the underlying structure of your bathroom like plumbing, electrical, and structural etc.
How To Apply For Permit Application:
If your bathroom remodeling meets the above mentioned conditions of permit requirements, then here is the step by step general guide to get a permit in Canada’s cities.
Contact Your Local Building Department:
If your remodeling requires a permit then contact your local permit approval official authorities to get inquiry about permit approval for your specific bathroom transformation.
Submit Your Plans And Documents:
After reaching your local permit approval department, submit your plans and necessary documents like project drawing, blue prints and designs of your proposed model and also be prepared for any remaining paperwork or delays.
Waiting For Approval:
Once your permit application is submitted, official or local authorities will investigate your submission as if your permit request is applicable to your remodeling and comply with building codes and then approve your permit. This process may take several weeks or even a month.
Cost Of A Bathroom Remodeling Permit Issue:
Some local authorities charge permit approval fees which depend on the size and purpose of your bathroom remodeling or home remodeling. Permit fees for bathroom remodeling typically range from 50$ to 200$ based on the size, nature and location of your project.
What You’ll Need For Your Permit Application?
- Accurately filled application form
- A description of the work being done
- Detailed plan of your project or model
- Contractor information (if needed or hire them)
- Proof of property ownership or authorization to remodel
How Long It Takes to Get A Permit?
Typically the time for permit issuing can vary according to location, project scope and complexity of the work. However, generally permit approval takes 1-4 weeks to complete the overall procedure including inspection of your project, permit submission, and lastly waiting for approval. That’s why it is always recommended by the contractors or official authorities to submit your permit application 1 month before beginning to plan your renovation.
Conclusion:
When remodeling your bathroom, it is very important to understand whether you need a permit or not for your project. After reading this guide, you’ll be able to find your project type and its requirement for permit application. Just like large changes in a bathroom such as plumbing, structural and electrical changes require permit approval, while other alterations like cosmetic and minor updates do not require. Taking time to get a complete permit approval will save you from future potential fines, insurance issues and difficulties in selling your home.
Ready to revamp your bathroom, contact our experienced team who will help you in the permit approval process and make sure your project goes with all local rules and regulations. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation quote and let us do your bathroom remodeling safely and legally!