Whenever a remodel for a kitchen, bathroom, basement, addition, or any other home project is undertaken in New Jersey, or any other state for that matter, permits usually must be filed with the local municipality or town hall. Permits fall under 3 main categories, Building, Electrical and Plumbing.
Before any work begins, an application for each trade must be submitted to the building department by a licensed contractor or the home owner if your DIY. Most building departments require plans indicating the work that is to be done. Each municipality charges a fee depending on the scope of work you’re looking to have done. A bathroom, for example, usually ranges from about $200 to $400, and $300 to $500 for a kitchen. Your local building department may take up to 4 weeks to issue permits, and perhaps longer due to our current situation with COVID. Please keep this in mind when planning out a project with your contractor.
Once the permits are issued work may commence.
There are two inspections with every project, a Rough Inspection and a Final Inspection. During the Rough Inspection, the inspectors from each trade will come to your house to examine the structural, electrical and plumbing work that has been completed within the open walls. They confirm that the work performed is safe and code compliant. If for some reason the rough work is not up to code, this will pro-long project as the trades must come back and fix the issue. Once things are resolved, and approved, the walls can be enclosed. The Rough Inspection is a critical step.
Final Inspection
This is called for when the work is complete. Each inspector will come again to do a “walk through” and examine the finished remodel. Once this is complete, your obligation to the municipality is complete.
At Temprano Construction, we take care of the entire permit process. Your only responsibility is the cost of the permits. This assures you that your project is done legally, is code compliant and performed by a licensed contractor.
Which projects don’t require a permit?
Not all projects need a permit. As stated above things like structural or moving of plumbing and electrical will need a permit. Here is a list of non-permit/cosmetic projects
1. Changing of a vanity, cabinets or countertops
2. Painting, spackling, staining, or pressure washing
3. Replacing an existing window or door
4. Changing a sink, faucet or toilet
5. Changing and outlet, switch or light fixtures
6. Ripping up carpet, changing a floor or tiling
Obtaining permits can be a tedious task, and a lot of people tend to ignore this step. If your about to take on a project and your unsure if you need a permit, call your local building department. Explain the project and they will advise you moving forward. The last thing you want is a project that was never permitted.
