Make sure you have all the necessary permits
One of the most popular questions I get about home renovations is: “Do I really need to get a permit for such a small job?” Often, the answer is yes. Building permits are considered formal permission for the construction, demolition or alteration of a home. Every municipality in the GTA has its own set of regulations, but most major renovations such as changing structural walls, modifying plumbing systems, installing new windows or altering electrical systems require a building permit.
A professional renovator can advise you on whether building permits are needed for a particular renovation and if so, can help you acquire them, speeding up a process that can take several weeks or even months. In some municipalities, it can take as long as 46 weeks to receive a permit for large or complex renovations. This means you could be waiting almost a year to receive a building permit to start your home renovation project. These delays can discourage you from renovating your home or push you to begin a project without the necessary permits.
It’s important to know that building permits must be obtained before you start renovating. Be wary of renovators who suggest you can forgo a permit. Their reasoning could be that it may cost more money, it may increase the renovation period, or that they are unfamiliar with building codes and don’t want their work to be inspected, allowing them to cut corners or bypass work that is required by the building code.
Renovation professionals who are part of the RenoMark program are required to have permits for all their jobs as outlined in the RenoMark code of conduct. Before they begin a project, RenoMark renovators insist on having a detailed set of drawings and a scope of work attached to a construction contract that outlines items such as timelines, payment schedules and whether permits are required. If building permits are needed, RenoMark renovators will ensure that they are in place before construction starts.
Building permit fees in the GTA range from about $150 to $300 for a small renovation project. An electrical permit adds $49 to $124 to the cost. Overall, permits for a small project can run $200 to $450. This may seem expensive, but imagine the cost of having to redo the work if it isn’t done according to the building code.
A professional renovator will guide you through your renovation project, ensuring everything is right the first time with a written contract, all necessary permits and a warranty in place before construction begins. If you’re interested in hiring a RenoMark renovator, you can find one at renomark.ca.
Dave Wilkes is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta, or visit bildgta.ca