As is often the case whenever the seasons change, many residents in Chevy Chase are preparing to make pre-winter home improvements.

These lengthy projects have many components and stages, including planning, budgeting and hiring the right professional.

But there’s one often-overlooked fundamental to a home improvement project that is just as important: permitting!

Why You Need to Get a Permit for Your Chevy Chase Home Project

For many people, getting a building permit is a waste of time and money. So they skip that step altogether.

But many cities actually require these permits. After all, not only do they ensure safety during construction but they also help inform housing inspectors on the status of your project.

There’s another reasons why cities require permits as well: They are an excellent source of revenue.

Cities charge a fee when a building permit is issued. Also, work done with a building permit can result in an increase in the homeowners’ property taxes because, in general, a home improvement increases the assessed value of the property.

Generally speaking, you can expect to need a permit if any structural work is planned or the basic living space of a home is altered.

These permits typically cover new construction, repairs, alterations, demolition, and additions to a structure. Some jurisdictions also require the permit to be posted in a visible place on the premises during construction.

In addition to needing permits for structural changes, these permits may also be required to cover the installation of foundations for tanks and equipment, as well as the construction or demolition of ducts, sprinkler systems, or standpipe systems.

Remember: Having a Building Permit is the Law!

By law, all buildings must have a building permit and a certificate of occupancy before they can be used.
So make sure that during the planning of your home improvement project, you learn about the permitting process requirements. This will ultimately save you hassle and headaches down the road.

Here for You for All Of Your Chevy Chase Real Estate Neeeds

We hope you found the above information enlightening as a Chevy Chase home owner.

Please contact us for more valuable information about navigating the local real estate market. By having expert Chevy Chase REALTORS® like us by your side, you’ll find that the real estate process is much more easy and stressfree.