Princeton Town Topics – Let’t Talk Real Estate – November 4, 2015
RENOVATING? DON’T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT A PERMIT
If you’re planning to sell when spring rolls around – or if you’re updating a home you recently moved into – you probably have a list of upgrades to make your home more livable and appealing, to buyers or to your own family. But before you start tearing down walls or replacing old plumbing or wiring, take heed: If you don’t have the requisite permits, you can wind up being fined and, in some cases, undoing the work you’ve done.
New Jersey towns, cities and townships require permits for all sorts of work – not just brand new construction, but additions and “alterations” as well. Upgrading electrical and plumbing lines and adding a new roof are examples of alterations – changes to an existing structure without adding new space. And you might be surprised by how many projects fall into that category. Before you spend hundreds or thousands outfitting your home with upgraded features, ask your building construction official if permits are required. The cost of the permit will be based on the scope of your project – but no matter how much it is, it’s still far cheaper than having to tear out the work and start over again.
