New Jersey home inspectors should understand the importance of building permits and educate their clients about when permits are needed and how to check for open and closed building permits in homes they are purchasing. Building permits are official Municiple documents that are required to legally perform additions, modifications and renovations on a subject property. Opening and closing out building permits are a very important part of any renovation or construction project.
Building permits are generally required when any major construction or renovation project is going to take place in a home. A good rule of thumb is to understand that permits are usually required when there are plumbing, electrical, or structural changes in a home. For example, permits are usually required when there are significant changes to systems such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical and changes to the buildings structure. Permits are also required when additions, major additions and garage additions are made.
NJ Home inspectors should explain to their clients that permits are needed in order to ensure that the work has been done safely and meets all municipal requirements. Permits help to make sure that work has been done following code requirements. NJ Home inspectors should help their clients understand the difference between a code inspection and a home inspection. Often there is some confusion regarding the difference between a code and home inspection. A code inspection is one that is required by the municipality or government agency to make sure that the work performed in the home meets the local building codes for construction and safety. A home inspection in NJ is when a buyer of a home hires a professional inspector to identify any potential issues with the property.
Obtaining permits is important and buyers should check for open and closed building permits as part as their due diligence process. Building permits make sure that the renovation work or changes is safe and meets code requirements. This ensures and enhances the safety of the occupants of the home as well as anyone else visiting the home. Building permits also make sure that the work performed meets all zoning regulations and that the work is satisfactorily compatible with the environment.
Obtaining building permits also helps protect the owner of the home. If an addition or renovation is done without permits the owner may have to pay fines or penalties as well as open themselves up for liability risks if someone were to get injured while visiting the home that lacks the required permits. If someone were to become injured, the owner of the home may be held with more liability if the injured party was injured in an area without the required permits.
Building permits are not required in all instances. In general, if the work or upgrade is small or to an existing fixture generally building permits are not required. Some examples of work that may not need permits are minor maintenance work for example replacing a window, electrical receptacle, or plumbing fixture. Also, cosmetic changes such as painting generally do not require a permit. The installation of smaller sheds or storage buildings generally do not require permits. If you are doing these small projects, it is still important that these projects meet building codes and are safe.
The fees associated with obtaining building permits can vary from municipality to municipality. usually, the cost of a permit will be based on the complexity and value of the addition or renovation. Sometimes there are other expenses as well including plan reviews, inspection fees and other related services. It is important to plan for these expenses when contemplating a building project and make sure that your budget has room for the add costs of obtaining the permits.
Obtaining permits can be costly and also time consuming. Waiting for the municipal inspector to evaluate the work does take some time. Sometimes the inspector will ask for changes and alterations to the work, and these changes can add to the costs and create time delays of a building project. It is always more important to increase safety then to make speed a priority.
NJ Home inspectors should understand OPRA. A home buyer can send in an OPRA (Open Public records Act) request in order to determine if there are any open permits on the subject property. Writing an OPRA request facilitates public access to municipal records. The buyer’s agent or the buyer’s attorney may submit the OPRA and using an OPRA can identify any open permits. The buyer can then have the seller as part of the negotiations have, the permits closed. Most municipalities will not allow for a certificate of occupancy to be obtained if there are open permits on the properly. The seller will have to close them to get the CO. Submitting an OPRA is an important step in the home purchase process. Open permits can hinder the sale of a home. Make sure you speak to your agent and attorney about the ramifications of having open permits in a home that you are thinking about buying.
New Jersey home inspectors should be familiar with the importance of permits in the home buying process and should explain what and may not require a building permit. Home inspectors should also be able to explain the importance of obtaining OPRA reports from the municipality.