Questions About Permits When Renovating

Thinking about renovating?  Before you can begin any work towards improving your property, you need the right permits to ensure compliance with Ontario’s Building Code Act. Most work requires a permit, including all plumbing work, bathroom & kitchen in your home. 

Obtaining permits avoids many potential problems down the line—from voiding your homeowners’ insurance to making it more difficult to sell your home later on, not to mention substandard work or performance. Let’s look at a few tips to save you time and stress on your next reno. 

Verify what permits are needed

In general, you’ll need to pull a permit for any improvement that updates or changes your plumbing system. This applies to any type of improvement, whether you’re relocating plumbing fixtures in your home, installing new pipes or any other project that alters your plumbing system in any way. 

Work with a professional who can pull permits

Figuring out whether your project needs a permit is the easy part. As the homeowner, you’re legally responsible for obtaining permits and providing your municipality with detailed plans for the renovation, as well as any other documents they request. 

A great way is to work with a contractor who can obtain exactly the permits you need and can work with the local building department in your area. Your contractor will handle all communication with the municipality as they review your plans and drawings.

Working with a professional also gives you peace of mind that work is progressing according to plan. Instead of leaving things to chance and running the risk of fines or the need to tear out and re-do your entire project, work with a licensed contractor who understands how to get the job done right the first time.

Schedule an inspection

During your project, your contractor will also notify building inspectors, who will determine whether your project is compliant with the Building Code, your permit and your plans. The inspector should arrive within two working days of being notified. Inspections require you to:

• Post your permit where it can be seen easily;
• Keep copies of your project plans on-site;
• Inform your municipality about any changes to plans.

o   All changes need to be approved by the municipality.

Keep in mind that inspectors always need to physically see the work you’re doing. If any part of the project deviates from your plans, you’ll be told to correct it unless you get approval for a revision of your plans. If you fail to comply, your local municipality can take action, which ends up costing you lost time and money. 

Make sure the project is code compliant

Renovation projects of any kind need to be up to code. Instead of leaving things to chance, risking fines and headaches, why not work with a PipeMasters plumber who understands which permits are required and how to do every job right. Contact us today at info@pipemasters.ca or (289) 404-9063. PipeMasters is part of Oakridge Plumbing Ontario Ltd. and serves the East GTA, Durham Region, North to Lindsay & Peterborough, out to Cobourg and all points in between. All Rights Reserved.