DIY Network

Getting Started: Building Permit From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-101

In this final segment host Jeff Wilson describes what a building permit is and why you need one before you can build a new home.

You've found the site, picked the house plans and met the team of people who will build your home -- now it's time to find out about the building permit.

What Is a Building Permit?

A building permit is the document you receive from your local building department that actually "allows" you to do construction. Once you have a site, a house plan and a builder in place, your builder will then apply for a building permit, which is needed before construction can start.

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Figure A

How to Get a Building Permit

Here are the steps your contractor must go through in order to secure a building permit:

1. The contractor will talk with local officials to discuss the plans of your house, and the experts will advise him or her of any revisions that need to be made to the plan.

2. Submit the application (figure A) to local officials for formal review. This review will determine if the proposed house meets with local code. For example, does the plan have adequate infrastructure, fire protection to service the area, etc. This can take as short as a couple of weeks to as long as a couple of months.

3. The following is needed for a building permit --
   • House plans, including the foundation elevation and framing considerations.

   • Sign-offs from the architect and engineer.

   • Soil reports showing the condition of your site. This is important in rural areas where an additional septic permit may be needed.

   • Approvals and reports from other agencies requested by the permitting office.

4. Once the application is approved you'll be asked to pay a fee based on the project size, and once payment has been received you're builder can pick up the permit from the local city or county building department.

5. Once the permit is received it must be hung up a the property site.

Note: Don't forget to put the cost of your building permit into your construction budget.

In the next episode of Blueprint for Home Building, host Jeff Wilson covers the excavation process of building your new home.

GUESTS :

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Craig Hill
President
Earth Systems Southwest
79811 Country Club Dr.
Indio, CA 92203
E-mail: chill@earthsys.com

Linda Brettler
Architect
Phone: 323-935-3999
E-mail: lindabrettler@sbcglobal.net

Carl Cuozzo
Designer
Design Basics
11112 John Galt Blvd.
Omaha, NE 68157
Phone: 402-331-9223
E-mail: ccuozzo@disignbasics.com

Dave Watson
Architect
E-mail: architalk@att.net
Website: www.watsonarchitect.com

Dana Bres
Research Engineer
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St., SW
Washington, DC 20910
Phone: 202-708-4370
E-mail: dana_b._bres@hud.gov

Jack Tucker
Building Wisdom
Frankford, DE 19945
Toll-free: 800-844-6275
E-mail: tucker@buildingwisdom.com
Website: www.buildingwisdom.com

Heinrich Klingner
General Contractor
Eurocraft Construction
E-mail: eurocraft1@co8.net