Don't Take Chances on Your Home Plumbing Remodel, Make Sure You've Got a Permit
Home plumbing projects like a bathroom remodel can increase your home's value and modernize your house, but design and functionality aren't the only things you'll have to plan for before you begin work. Many plumbing projects actually require a permit, even though many homeowners don't realize this.
In fact, only minor and ordinary plumbing endeavors (such as replacing your toilet) don't require permits, whereas most other projects do. Although some homeowners are tempted to skip the permitting step, there are many reasons why you shouldn't take this chance.
Unpermitted Plumbing Work Might Be Unsafe
Plenty of people like to think that building, plumbing, and electrical permits only exist as a money and job making scheme, but the truth is that permits exist to keep people—including your family and the general public—safe.
For instance, requiring a permit to make changes to your sewer line will mean that all the work is done right, and this means no wastewater will end up inside your home, where bacteria and other pathogens could make your family very sick.
Permits usually need inspections to be done, and this means the work will be performed according to safety standards and codes that are designed to protect your home and the people who live within it.
Trusted and Licensed Professionals Will Not Encourage Unpermitted Work
Homeowners sometimes worry that getting a permit will make work more expensive because it will mean they can't get a break from paying a contractor in cash, but any plumbing professional here in Colonial Heights, VA will encourage you to get a permit for any work that requires it.
In the end, this is for your protection, since not only will it ensure work is done correctly, but it will also protect you from future repairs, keep your project from being deemed unsafe, and make sure that improvements actually increase the value of your home.
If You Take a Chance, You Might Get Bit (in the Wallet)
Homeowners who forgo permits often do so to avoid headaches and save money, but the truth is that not getting a permit could end up costing you more in the long term. Say, for instance, that you're doing a kitchen remodeling and want to change the location of your sink.
Creating new plumbing or moving your existing pipework would require a permit, and if you don't get one, then you could be fined a great deal of money, have to halt work on the project, and might even have to make repairs before work can continue. In the end, you'll spend a lot more than you would have otherwise, and you'll still have to get the right permit anyway.
Permits aren't just bureaucracy run amok, and there are numerous reasons why you should always check if you need a permit before starting any home plumbing project. Whether you plan to do the work yourself or hire a professional, getting a permit will ensure the work is done right, that it's done to code, and that your home and family will be protected from improper practices, poor materials, and other hazards.
