DIY Home Improvement Ideas It Is Excluded

Home

In the realm of home improvements, there’s no shortage of projects you can complete by yourself without having to call professionals. Painting a room, laying new flooring or making changes to bathrooms or kitchens are all easy DIY tasks when you’re up for the task.

Read More Home Improvement Articles

However, there are some home improvement projects that are more risky and should not be attempted without a lot of knowledge and experience. Additionally, for these larger tasks, you’ll likely require approval. Actually, some home improvements are prohibited to do yourself without the approval of a permit. The legality of DIYing specific home improvement projects is largely dependent on local and state laws and regulations, so be aware that rules can differ based on the location you reside in.

Here are a few of the most popular tasks that are usually prohibited from being undertaken without permits:

If you’re planning to construct a new home or tear down walls in order to create an open floor plan, any changes to the footprint of your home and structural elements will likely require approval. Applying for permits allows authorities to evaluate the proposed changes or additions and make sure that appropriate steps are taken to ensure the structure of the house.

Building a Deck

You may not think that building a deck on your house will require a permit and approval, but you’ll most likely require one. Decks that are not constructed correctly are extremely risky and many areas require an inspector be present to inspect the foundations before proceeding to build your deck.

Cutting Down Trees

Tree removal can be a dangerous task, particularly if you’re dealing with large dead trees close to your house power lines, and other buildings. For large tree removal projects, it is recommended and sometimes, even required to call in specialists in tree removal with the appropriate equipment and knowledge to do the job safely.

If you’re unsure if the tree you want to cut needs to be taken down, contact a licensed arborist in your region prior to scheduling a tree-cutting service. Arborists are experts when it comes to the health, age and type of trees. They can provide valuable advice regarding the best course of action.

Some Electrical Work

Although a lot of smaller electrical repairs or adjustments to your home, such as replacing fixtures or outlets, are possible without a permit, more extensive electrical projects, such as adding new outlets, connecting wires to an outbuilding, or completely changing the wiring in your home, usually require permits, even when performed by an authorized contractor. Like other tasks, be sure to take the extra step of caution and make sure you check before you begin tinkering with the wiring of your home, particularly since any work that involves electrical power is a risky venture.

Gas Line Repairs

Repairs and connections to gas lines are extremely dangerous due to the possibility of an explosion and fire, so if you have to connect a brand new gas water heater or stove or make repairs to the one you have, it is likely that you will require the assistance of an expert. Natural gas may cause respiratory issues for your family members and yourself The ideal scenario is an unfit gas line, which causes an inexplicably slow leak over the course of time.

Adding a Door or Window

If you are planning to open the wall up with windows or doors, it is recommended that you consider obtaining permission first. Although it’s not as widespread, some cities require homeowners to obtain permission before replacing the windows or doors they have to new ones. If you’re planning to change your doors and windows, take your time and contact your county or city planning department to find out what you’ll need in order to take the next step.

Soil Grading or Adding Retaining Walls

Although major landscaping projects such as grading your lawn or building retaining walls legally considered “home” projects, they could still be risky to your property and you, as well as the property of your neighbor, in the event that they are not handled with care. So, if you’re considering making significant modifications to your garden, ensure that you have laid the legal foundation first.

More Related Articles:

  • How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
  • 4 Tips for Hiring a General Contractor for Your Next Remodeling Project
  • Should You Hire a Contractor or a Handyman?
  • 5 Things to Look For When You’re Hiring an Electrician
  • What to Look for When Hiring an Exterminator

Although not all home improvement projects require permission prior to beginning, The guidelines differ in accordance with state and local guidelines, so be safer instead of not being safe. The final thing you’d like to discover is that your deck construction needs a permit when you’re half-way through installing your new deck planks.

While the additional process to obtain a permit could seem like a hassle, it’s actually designed to safeguard you and others by ensuring your project is up to standard and safe to work on. A permit prior to starting your DIY project is worth it in the end, and remember, if you’re not able to handle the job yourself, it’s always possible to employ a licensed professional to complete the project and take care of the permit issues for you.

As a home owner, you’re aware of the fact that there are many of smaller home improvement projects that you can tackle while professional contractors take on the more difficult tasks. So, paint that nursery with a lovely robin’s eggs blue!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *