Q: I am considering a DIY construction project by adding a new room to my home. Do I need a contractors license to build on to my current home? A: No. Individuals who are adding on to their home are not required to obtain a contractors license, especially if you are doing all of the work yourself. If you have any questions, you can contact your local courthouse and the office that issues building permits. Q: What about building permits for a DIY construction project? Do I need one for a room addition and how can I get one? A: You will need a building permit before starting construction on any additions to your home. Failure to obtain the proper permits could subject you to fines, so be sure to take the time to stop by your local courthouse and inquire about obtaining a building permit. In order to officially request a permit for your DIY construction project, you will need to have the dimensions and materials that will be used in the construction of your home addition. Q: I have never done any construction work, but I would like to try building on to my current home. Should I try to do the work myself or hire a contractor? A: If you have never completed a similar task, a DIY construction project may not be best experimented with on your home. At the very least, you may want to consider hiring a contractor to supervise your work as you progress. Q: Instead of hiring a contractor in the beginning of my DIY construction project, can I just complete the work and then call someone if I run into problems? A: This is not advisable for several reasons. First of all, the time to find out there is a problem is not after all of the work has been done. This is not only going to end up costing you contractor fees, but you may also have to purchase new material to correct any mistakes that were made. Not hiring someone to supervise your DIY construction process in the beginning, if you are not familiar with construction, could cost you a pretty penny in the end. Secondly, you will save a lot of time by avoiding mistakes altogether rather than if you have to go back and correct them. Q: If I decide to hire a contractor to supervise my work, how can I choose one that will be best suited for my project? A: The best way to choose a contractor is to select someone that is familiar with the DIY construction project that you are currently working on. Preferably, the contractor would have completed this type of project recently and will have been in business for a number of years. |
