Excited to add a deck to your home? Excellent decision! Decks can add to both the beauty and value of your house. That said, there is always a price to be paid for construction, and by far the biggest headache for most homeowners is the obtaining of a building permit.
In 99.9% of all cases, a building permit will need to be purchased prior to beginning construction on your deck. This permit is vital, as it both updates the plans for your house and allows city officials to ensure construction is well within guidelines and regulations.
Building regulations may seem unnecessary when you’re the one who has to get them, but they ultimately serve you as a citizen of your city. They ensure safety for everyone, and if you’ve partnered up with a construction company like River Valley Construction Group, the permitting process will be a breeze.
If you’re building a deck that includes features other than lumber, there may be additional inspections and charges. If you’re adding electricity, plumbing, and/or a roof, you should plan to take on additional permits.
If you haven’t yet begun this process, don’t overthink it. Take permitting one step at a time. The very first thing you’ll need is a set of plans. These plans should include how your deck will attach to your house or any other structures. Once this is completed to the best of your ability, call a construction company to review it and identify any particular areas of concern. It is highly likely that professional deck builders will be able to offer ways in which you can increase the aesthetic value or decrease costs based on your first draft of plans. They’ll also be able to create a version of your plans that meet the smallest amount of resistance when being reviewed by the city.
The most important step in this process is, ironically, getting the permit and going through the regulation process. Many homeowners feel they don’t need a permit because it’s “just a deck”. Don’t try to cut corners here, as it typically ends up costing more time and money at the end of your project. If you decide to not go through with the permitting process, for example, and then decide a year later you’d like to install lighting, the electrician you hire will require a permit of their own. If there’s no deck permit with the city for reference, you’re going to be thrown back to square one and possibly face penalties, involving more visits from the city inspector than if you’d just got the permit, to begin with.
River Valley Construction Group is specially equipped to meet the requirements of building permits and regulations. Our aim is to make every home construction project as hassle-free as possible. We are dedicated to building quality decks that stand the test of time. If you have any questions, click on the green “Contact Us Today” button below.