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Planning a home renovation in Connecticut? Permits are essential to ensure a smooth project, whether it’s a new in-law suite in West Hartford or a full basement remodel in Southington. Hiring a reputable contractor like Better Built Basements, who is familiar with local building codes and regulations, can significantly simplify the permit process. They handle the paperwork, schedule inspections, and ensure all necessary permits are obtained. Here’s what why
Table of contents:
The short version: Get your permits and make sure they are closed when the work is done.
Whether you live in Fairfield, Southington, or Avon, CT, permits protect contractors and homeowners. They verify that all work complies with safety and building codes. This is crucial for both liability and quality assurance. On top of that, if you ever need to sell your home, you’ll need to ensure that all the work was performed with a permit (and that the permit has been closed out). An improper renovation or an open permit can cause headaches ranging from lost time to an inability to sell your house. Not properly permitting work can even impact getting a home equity loan in the future.
When Do You Need a Permit To Do Renovations in Connecticut?
Most construction activities require a permit. In towns like Glastonbury and Fairfield, permits are necessary for changing the structure, moving walls, electrical work, or plumbing tasks. Even minor changes, like replacing an outlet, technically require one.
What is a short list of the kinds of home renovation projects that require a permit?
If you plan to remodel your bathroom in Milford or finish your basement in Avon, you must obtain a permit. Without one, selling your house later can become snarled in the process of permitting, inspecting, and closing out the permit for the work you did.
Building Permits: Required for construction, demolition, or major alterations. This includes renovations like kitchen updates in Newington or adding a deck in Farmington.
Trade Permits: These are specific to each trade like electrical or plumbing work. For instance, installing a new plumbing system in a Glastonbury home requires a plumbing permit.
The process may vary slightly by town, but generally includes:
Note: Some contractors leave the permitting process up to the homeowner. At Better Built Basements, we take care of the entire process – from applying for the initial permit, scheduling inspections, and ensuring that the permits are closed once the work is completed.
That’s a great question! It varies by town and by the time of year. Some towns are historically very quick to issue permits, while others are noticeably slower. Part of this is just how those towns handle permits, their current staffing, and the number of permit applications they are processing. In our experience, here is a rough estimate of the time (based on the writing of this article in November 2024).
This will vary depending on the town you live in and, typically, the extent of the work you are proposing to do. Check with your local building department for more information or talk to your contractor.
If you need to make changes to your project after obtaining a permit, you must update the permit with the appropriate town. For example, adding a bathroom to your original plan will require an updated permit.
It’s standard for a properly licensed contractor to handle the permit processes for homeowners. This means that they will handle the following permitting tasks:
Building without a permit can lead to fines and increased costs during future sales or refinancing. Always ensure you have the right permits to avoid issues. It might seem like a hassle, but permits are a way to ensure that all the work done in your home follows Connecticut’s building, electrical and plumbing codes. This keeps you and your family safe. This is not a place to cut corners.
Understanding the permit process saves time and prevents costly errors. Whether in West Hartford or Farmington, securing the correct permits protects your investment and ensures a compliant and safe home renovation. If you’re unsure, call us to see how we can help. We have experience in many towns in Connecticut and can let you know what to expect from your town’s permitting process. If you choose to work with us, we’ll take care of all of the steps related to your project’s permits. Happy renovating!
This guide focuses on accurate permit information for Connecticut homeowners based on our experience. Contact your local building department for specific requirements.
With so many people working from home now, many families have had to get creative with their home offices. The basement has often been the go-to...
A basement game room is often one of the best ways to make use of extra space in your home’s basement. Transforming unused space into a central...
Your basement stairs are one of the most important features of the space. You use them every time you visit your basement, and they’re often a...
