Can A Home Improvement Contractor Pull Permits?

When considering the requirements for pulling a permit in a home improvement project, it’s ideal to hire a home improvement contractor to complete the task. 

A home improvement contractor can pull a permit for your home or building project. In addition to this, they can ensure that you accurately pull a permit. It’s essential to know how they progress your home improvement projects and manage them to operate smoothly. 

If you’re considering a home improvement project, hiring a contractor is an excellent place to start. He or she can pull a permit, making one less thing on your list of home renovation to-dos. Keep reading for more whether or not a home improvement contractor can pull permits.

Can a Home Improvement Contractor Pull Permits?

A home improvement contractor can pull a permit for your next home improvement project, and they are highly skilled professionals who can ensure your project operates smoothly and legally. 

Most contractors will ask to pull their permits, rather than to delegate the task to the homeowner.

The individual contractor doing this will allow him or her to have their own name on their work, rather than the name of the homeowner. They are also then responsible for the craftsmanship and quality of the project.

Beware of contractors that ask you to pull your own permits. They are either making a profit from you, or they are trying to cut costs by hiring unlicensed workers. If this occurs, you’ll be held responsible for any work-related injuries. 

Permits are required for complicated or hazardous home improvement projects, and a home improvement contractor can navigate the correct steps to effectively and legally perform your project. 

Why Have a Contractor Pull Permits?

It’s essential to seek a qualified, licensed home improvement contractor to identify any necessary permits to pull, and who insists on pulling their own permits.

You’ll want to stay in constant contact with your home improvement contractor so that you’re also aware of project and permit timeframes. 

Permits are tricky. Contractors are usually well versed in the permits needed for their area of work, making it much easier for them to get the right ones for the job. 

A contractor pulling the permit can streamline your whole renovation or building process and keep things moving. You won’t have to worry about what permits you need and all the ins and outs that go along with individual permits. 

Different Areas Require Different Types of Permits

If you consider vamping-up your home or building, you will want to consider hiring a home improvement contractor. They can easily identify what types of permits are required for specific areas and municipalities.

Contractors also are knowledgeable of their standard for an acceptable permit. There are no federal or state permit standards, so a home improvement contractor will need to know your area’s specific permit requirements.  

Usually, most municipalities require permits for plumbing, electricity, and building individual projects. A home improvement contractor will identify what permits are required and if any special permits are needed. 

Special permits involve any construction of insulation, space heaters, fireplaces, decks, and re-roofing projects. These projects can get tricky, so it is crucial to hire a qualified professional with the capability of pulling permits.

Additionally, sometimes the county requires special permits for projects such as septic systems, wells, and driveway extensions or modifications. Any changes to your home’s existing support system will likely require a permit. These can include but are not limited to:

• Building fences up to a certain height
• Constructing a new space for a window in your home  
• Installing or repairing plumbing 
• Installing or repairing electrical work
• Installing or repairing the siding to your home
• Installing or repairing a water heater

Sadly, you also may be required to obtain a permit if your project’s total costs exceed a certain amount. In many areas, this amount is around $5,000. 

So, if you want to ensure that your home improvement project runs smoothly without complication, you may want to hire a home improvement contractor to pull a permit and tackle the task. 

Permits Have an Expiration Date

When retrieving a permit for a home improvement project, which can take up to six weeks, it is essential to pay attention to its expiration date. By hiring a home improvement contractor, you can ease your worries, knowing they will keep an eye on important dates. 

Many projects go unfinished or have to be demolished because their permits expire. If it can be proven that you completed your home improvement project after the permit’s expiration date, it may end up costing you more money in the future.

Fines and fees for demolishing a structure or project can be hefty, and you don’t want to get tangled up in that mess. 

A professional will ensure that your project is completed on time, and if they pulled the permit, you would receive any penalties for the failure to produce and finish your project. 

Permit Costs and Fees Are Usually Included By The Contractor 

Like most people, the total cost of the project will factor into your decision on whether to hire a home improvement contractor. Permits can be expensive, and usually, your home improvement contractor will factor these costs into your project.

Usually, they will not charge you for the project and the costs of pulling the permit, as these figures are combined to form a total cost.

If you decide to tackle a home improvement project without a home improvement contractor, you will end up paying for both your supplies and the permit fees. Also, let’s not forget the risk of allowing your permit to expire, which will hit you with fees in the future.  

So, if you want to save some money on your next home improvement project, you may want to consider other areas to cut costs rather than ditching a home improvement contractor. 

When You Don’t Need a Contractor or Permits

You won’t always need a permit or a home improvement contractor to perform home or building projects. Permits are only required for complicated or hazardous tasks in some areas, while others require permits for even small jobs.

You won’t need to hire a home improvement contractor to pull a permit for these tasks, for sure:

• Painting your house or adding wallpaper 
• Adding carpet or hardwood to your home
• Minor electrical work
• Adding new countertops to your kitchen 
• Replacing your faucet

Sure, it might seem obvious that a permit isn’t needed for the above projects. But, in some areas, permits are necessary for just about anything.

So, if you’re planning a project that goes beyond any of the above and you don’t think you’ll need a contractor, you should at least look into whether or not you’ll need a permit.

These tasks don’t require a permit, but you still may want to consider hiring a professional. DIY projects can get strenuous, and you don’t want to have to buy a new faucet. 

Final Thoughts

When you consider the big picture regarding your home improvement project, you will want to understand the legality, total costs, and craftsmanship required.

While a DIY project seems like it can save you money, you may end up paying more in the future. 

Hiring a home improvement contractor to complete your home improvement project will ensure your project is completed on time. 

In addition to this, your home improvement contractor may provide you with set costs, so you will know exactly how much you will spend on the project and to pull permits. By hiring a professional, you will receive a professionally completed project, and you will not need to worry about the legality of the project. 

So, it is always a good idea to hire a home improvement contractor to pull permits for your home improvement projects, rather than taking matters into your own hands. 

You will want to stay in constant contact with your home improvement contractor to know when the permits are filed and have peace of mind knowing your project is in good hands.

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