building permit????

dubbs

so i am remodeling this garage into a room, can i remove the garage door, and build over it with out a permit? or do i just seal it from the inside

dubbs

concretemasonry

If you want the space to count a livable space for the purposes of a future new owner getting a mortgage, get a permit whether you are required to or not. If you can't show it is legal, your selling price will be less.

If you try an after the problem situation comes up, you may be facing the newer codes instead of todays and some may have to be redone.

Dick

Scuba_Dave

Yes you need a permit

Termite

Yes you'd need a permit for that sort of work. The creation of finished space will necessitate the addition of code-required receptacles and the associated wiring, which will definately need to be permitted and inspected.

What's the for? Getting a permit and an inspection is an easy way to get someone to be your own personal advocate and advisor on your project. Its your house, and I'm sure you want it safe and correct...The building inspector will ensure that takes place. He's not your adversary, he's your advocate.

vsheetz

You need to go through the permitting process to ensure you can even convert the garage into livable space. And then if you can, how to do it properly.

In many areas if work was not permitted, you cannot claim the square footage when reselling the house.

Work with your building department and inspectors - they are there to help you, ensure a safe build, etc. In my experience of several minor to major projects having the building inspector along for the ride has been a positive thing - they have passed along a huge amount if useful information.

Michael Thomas

Unpermitted garage conversions have become a hot button issue for some building departments, to the extent of specifically attempting to identify them, for example:

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007..._375_19_07.txt

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Home Inspection: "A business with illogically high liability, slim profit margins and limited economies of scale. An incredibly diverse, multi-disciplined consulting service, delivered under difficult in-field circumstances, before a hostile audience in an impossibly short time frame, requiring the production of an extraordinarily detailed technical report, almost instantly, without benefit of research facilities or resources." - Alan Carson

gone_fishing

I am 75% into nearly the same project right now. I split my garage and made the back 1/2 an office and front a "garage". Got the permit so that when I sell there aren't problems. Cost me a few days in the beginning due to schedules. Otherwise, it's been helpful and cost me $60 total.

Maintenance 6

Call you local code enforcement or building office and ask. Around here, you would not need a permit.

Termite

Good advice to call and ask. Be aware that Maintenance 6's location's lack of codes enforcement is the exception and not the rule.