Enhancing the outside of your home adds instant curb appeal and can quickly increase the value of your home. There are various steps you can take to change the exterior of your home, but it is essential not to forget about permits. One easy change people often make is changing out their garage door. Since it is such a simple change, people wonder if they need a permit for a new garage door.
Yes, you need a permit to install a garage door. Garage doors are a great way to add appeal to your home, but you have to obtain a permit first. Although this is typically an easy fix, ensuring you have the correct permits in place is an absolute must.
When it comes to changing your home, it is crucial to do your research so you won’t be dealing with fines later. We have compiled all of the research necessary to make an informed decision concerning garage door permits moving forward.
Do You Need a Permit to Install a Garage Door
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As mentioned earlier, you definitely need a permit to install a garage door. No matter what contractors or family members say, it is essential to call your city to double-check. While you may be dealing with people that say otherwise, you must remember that the liability comes back to you.
You may be wondering, why are permits even necessary? There are several reasons why permits were put in place, and these are essential to understand when you begin renovating. Often permits get a bad name because of how much time they add to any given project, but in the end, they are in place for your safety.
The main reason permits are in place is to keep your home and family safe. Permits are in place to check for safety. They will check that your renovation won’t interfere with the integrity of your home or put your family in harm’s way.
Once you apply for a permit, an inspector will double-check the plans to make sure everything is up to code and built for the safety of you and your family.
For example, permits will check to make sure the garage door you are replacing will hold up in a variety of circumstances such as high winds.
Many times, depending on your location, garage doors get the brunt of bad weather. For this reason, it is crucial to have a garage door that will hold up in all types of situations. There will be different parts of your garage door that are checked depending on your location.
So although they sometimes seem like a pain to obtain, permits are in place to keep you safe. When it comes to keeping your family and neighbors safe, taking the extra step to get a permit is critical.
How to Get a Permit to Install a Garage Door
To obtain a permit, you will go to your city officials. Once there you will apply for a permit and include what you are planning to change. If you are working with a contractor, they will likely take care of this step of the process for you.
Typically, you will be expected to dish out a certain amount of money for your permit. However, if you are simply replacing your garage door, your permit will be cheaper than an entire home overhaul.
This is yet another reason why planning ahead and adding permit fees into your budget can minimize stress during a renovation.
By applying for a permit, the liability if anything happens is put on the city that made the permit instead of you.
Without a permit in place, you could face murky waters down the line. For example, renovating your home without a permit and then trying to sell the property could result in a reasonable amount of fees and fines.
What Happens If I Don’t Get a Permit to Install a Garage Door
While it may be easy to believe that simply not getting a permit won’t cause any issues, that is not entirely the case. More often than not, if you installed a garage door or changed your home in some way without prior approval, you could be facing multiple consequences.
You could be stuck with various fines, or the city could even request that you backtrack and install the old door. If you try and change your home without approval, you risk paying fines later that could quickly amount to more than the cost of your simple home renovation project.
When you apply for a permit, it will take a few extra steps, but it is worth it, so you won’t have to deal with problems later down the line.
If you are working with a contractor that doesn’t emphasize permits, it may be time to begin looking for a new contractor. A fantastic contractor will have your best interest at heart and will take the extra time to ensure their construction is safe for your family.
Do I Need a Permit to Repair a Garage Door
While completely changing your garage door needs a building permit, you won’t need a permit if you are repairing a small part of your garage.
The same goes for adding a screen to your garage door or enhancing your garage door in some way. Simple repairs often don’t mess with the integrity of the home, therefore not requiring a building permit to move forward.
Other reasons you would need a permit for your garage include adding plumbing, converting it to a living space, and more. If you are making any significant changes to your garage, you will likely need a building permit in place.
If you want to repair or change your garage in a significant way, it is in your best interest to reach out to your local city officials. By taking this extra step, you can be confident moving forward.
Conclusion
Home renovations are exciting as you change your home into exactly what you have always dreamt of. But, while designing and renovating are exciting, there are specific steps you must take to make sure you are holding up safety codes in your area.
People often think that replacing their garage door doesn’t require a permit, but that is just not true. In cities all over the country, you must have a building permit in place when you replace your garage door.
If you live in an area prone to strong winds, like Florida, you must have particular garage doors. By applying for a permit, an inspector will ensure that everything you have done is up to code and safe for you, your family, and your neighbors.
Deciding to skip the permit process may seem like a simple choice, but it can land you with many consequences down the road. You could face consequences including fines and even the possibility of having to take down your new renovation, just to name a few.
Also, if you ever want to sell your home, you could face a slew of issues if you renovated your house without building permits in place.
While applying for a permit can cost you time and money, taking this necessary step will give you peace of mind moving forward.
