I'm planning to take my town walls down to the studs and I've learned that I need a permit for this work, which I'm categorizing as a demolition job. The issue I'm facing is how to value the construction costs for the permit, as I can't enter $0. I tested the system and found that as I raised the number, the permit cost increased too. So, I need advice on how to appropriately value the demolition. I'm essentially just removing walls that have plaster, lathe, and drywall in four bedrooms.
1. Should I just assign a low value like $100 for the demolition?
2. Once I start putting up new drywall, will I need another permit, and if so, should I value that based on material costs? I'm also unsure if I need a separate permit for adding new insulation.
3. On a side note, I'm wondering whether anyone would actually check if permits were obtained for this sort of work since it seems over the top for neighbors to monitor each other.
3 Answers
If you're not doing any major structural, electrical, or plumbing work, you might not need a permit for the interior work. But just keep in mind that in many places, even basic demolition can require a permit. It's a good idea to check your local rules first. As for the valuation, you could enter a minimum number since demolition doesn't usually hold a lot of value in a project; something like $100 should suffice.
Just put a minimum value for demolition since it's generally not that significant in construction costs. You can always adjust that later if needed. Just make sure to keep an eye on any additional permits you might need when you start putting up new drywall or insulation for your own peace of mind.
Every area has different rules for permitting, so you should definitely check your specific local government website. Some places are really strict about this, and it sounds like your town requires a permit for cutting into walls. Just make sure you're covered to avoid any future problems, especially if you decide to get an electrician involved later.
It's crazy how strict some places are! But if they find out you didn't pull a permit, that could lead to fines or issues when you try to sell your house later.
Yeah, it feels ridiculous to need a permit for such small demolition work. Just be careful, though, since if an electrician comes in later and reports you, that could cause issues.