When having a home built, the professional builders are required by state and local laws to secure permits. These permits are far more than just paper – they are designed to provide you as the future homeowner, as well as the builder protection to ensure certain quality and safety guidelines are followed. In addition, the building permit is a commitment that once the work is completed, it can be inspected. If the work does not comply with certain contingencies, the builder would have to fix them, at which time a new inspection would be required.
Remember, a standard building code falls under state law. However, various local governments are also permitted to add specific building guidelines based on location and climate to again, ensure the safe construction of the home. After all, you would not want to hire a builder only to find out that he/she used poor quality materials and bad workmanship on your home. Instead, you want a builder that is accountable to someone for his work.
As the buyer, you are not required to do anything. However, the builder is. Depending on the state and city in which you are building, as well as the type of home being built, the type of building permits required could vary. Even so, most follow some of the same structure. For instance, things that would require a permit would include building a home, adding on to a home, building a garage, adding/removing walls, add/changing a porch, installing a swimming pool, building a deck that will be more than 30 inches from the ground, new furnace installation, door and window alteration, changing electrical wiring, and plumbing out a bathroom.
Just as there are times when a permit is needed, there are also times when one is not required. For instance, building a playhouse or some type of outbuilding that is less than 200 feet would not need a building permit. Additionally, fences less than six feet high, carpeting, or painting, replacing appliances or fixtures, or installing any type of play equipment. Of course, if any question arises whether building permits were needed or not, the builder would contact the local office. Building a home is an exciting time but the builder carries the brunt of the responsibility to ensure everything is done according to law.