Do you need a permit? This is a bit of a “chicken and egg” question. In a perfect world, you’d only take on a renovation project that didn’t require a permit. I think of these projects as a refreshing; interior paint, carpet and floor covering, cabinet re-facing, etc. These are all activities that don’t require a permit.
Since getting any permit entails time and money, avoiding a project where they are required means you save both. However, having to obtain a permit shouldn’t be the sole reason to disqualify a project.
There are some relatively simple projects that usually require a permit, these include:
• Building a deck
• Rebuilding a porch
• Moving or removing a non-structural wall
These are simple projects that add a lot of values, even though they require a permit, don’t disqualify them simply because a permit is required.
