Of course it’s easy to determine that if you are building a whole new home or putting on an addition, you’ll be required to apply for a building permit with your local municipality. After all, without the proper permits, you could face hefty fines, compromise the safety of your family, and risk having your homeowner’s insurance refuse to cover damage done to the home.
But how do you know if you need a permit for something minor like a repair?
According to Stan Grabowski, the manager of Small Home Repairs LLC in New Jersey, the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey states that a repair means the restoration of systems and components that are worn, deteriorated or broken, using materials or components identical or closely similar to the existing parts.
But, just because you’re getting a repair and not tearing part of your home down and starting over, doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t need a permit. It actually has more to do with considering the component that is being restored, he says, and less to do with whether the project is classified as a repair or renovation.
Simply put: Some repairs require a permit, and others do not.
It is best to leave this judgment call to the professionals. It can be difficult sometimes to determine whether the repair can be made and if the structural work is feasible, Grabowski says. Just because the existing component was functional prior to the repair does not necessarily mean it was structurally sound or up to code, he adds. And making sure that everything meets code requirements at the completion of the repair is crucial. Even with repair work that seems minimal, there is still a basic knowledge of construction, as well as state and local building codes, that needs to be known, explains Grabowski.
In the case of minor repair work, like a broken door jamb for example, of course you just purchase new material and repair what is broken, he says. But, in the case of a deteriorated structural element, like a floor joint, you may have a situation where your contractor will use a combination of repairing and rebuilding techniques.
Essentially though, the best way to avoid any of the stress that working with or without a permit could cause, have the contractor you hire check with your town. The building department of your municipality will definitely know the right answer to all of your legal questions so that you aren’t left second-guessing your decision.
