Blog

Our goal is to provide trusted information, answer FAQs on products and services and to give useful tips to help you save money and make informed decisions on your home renovation projects.
We hope you enjoy our blog!

Understanding Permits

For the average homeowner, taking on a major home renovation yourself can be rewarding but can also be overwhelming. Whether you are building a home or doing a renovation, in order to avoid any costly surprises it is important to understand what is required and what you as a homeowner are capable of accomplishing.

When do I need a permit?

Generally, a building permit is required for renovations that involve changes to the structure or systems of your home. This includes new additions, reconfiguration of space by moving or removing walls, new window and door openings and installation of fireplaces. Electrical and plumbing permits may also have to be obtained separately.
Some repairs and renovations may not require a permit. These include re-roofing, painting, re-siding, flooring and cabinet installation, and replacement of windows and doors (provided the opening is not enlarged)-in brief, work that does not entail changes to structures or systems. Confirm with your renovator, or check with your municipal building permit office to be sure. Also, find out if you need a permit to demolish old structures such as a garage, shed or porch, or to cut down a tree on your property.

Types of Permits:

Whether you are building or renovating your home, there are basically five types of permits that may be required:

- Building permit: For the construction of a new home or alterations, additions or repairs to the structure of an existing home.
- Electrical permit: For wiring in a new home, or changes to the electrical system in an existing home.
- Plumbing permit: For plumbing in a new home or repairs or alterations to a home’s existing plumbing.
- Gas permit: For new heating or other installations involving the use of natural gas or propane, or for changes to these systems in an existing home.
- Occupancy permit: For the occupation of a newly built or substantially renovated home.

Building Permits:

Permits may be required for many repair, renovation and addition projects in existing homes. Below are some examples of when permits are required. Keep in mind it is important to contact the local permit office that is specific to your area.

Building permits and applicable trade permits are generally needed to:
- Move interior walls and partitions,
- Relocate or install new plumbing, electrical and gas lines,
- Undertake structural repairs, renovations or additions that are permitted outright, and
- Construct accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) that are permitted outright.

Both development and building permits, and applicable trade permits, are needed to:
- Build a new home
- Undertake structural renovations or additions, such as dormers, lofts or decks, that are conditional,
- Add a roof over an existing sundeck or enclose a balcony,
- Construct accessory buildings (garage, carport, garden shed etc.) that are conditional,
- Raise a building or excavate a basement, and
- Erect a fence if it is over height.

No permits are needed to:
- Replace fixtures, cabinets and flooring,
- Paint the interior of your home,
- Paint the exterior of your home or carry out any non-structural maintenance or minor repairs to the exterior of your home (including re-stuccoing, landscaping or installing roofing, gutters, drain-pipes, siding or walkways and driveways within the site.

Renovating a Strata Lot:

If you own a condominium or a townhouse, you may be subject to your strata bylaws and restrictions. Condominium and townhouse owners contemplating renovations or alterations to their unit need to comply with not only City by-laws, but their own, particular, Strata by-laws. For instance, the City does not require a permit to change your flooring from carpet to hardwood, but your Strata Council and the person living below you will want a say in what you are planning. As well, you may meet all the City requirements to enclose a balcony or add a window, but your Strata by-laws may not allow any exterior alterations. So, for strata owners, reviewing your Strata by-laws is an essential step in planning your home renovations. Once you have established your renovation plans aren’t going to cause a ruckus in your building, you need to determine what, if any, permits the City will require.

Gas, Sprinklers, Electric and Plumbing:

The majority of electrical and gas renovations require a permit typically in a detached residential home when installed by the homeowner or a licensed contractor. If it looks like you need a permit it is recommended to hire a licensed contractor. Here are some common examples that require a permit:
- Any electrical wiring work
- Hot tubs – new or replacement
- Gas fireplaces, water heaters, furnaces, ranges or cooktops
- Sprinklers
- Gas barbecue piping

Who should get the permit – me or my renovator?

As the homeowner, you are legally responsible for obtaining any building permits required. However, your renovator can look after this on your behalf. Your contract should specify which permits are required and who will get them. You will need to provide a letter of authorization before your renovator can apply for a permit for your renovation.
Before a permit is issued, your plans and drawings are reviewed by the municipality. After the work begins, an inspector may visit your home to make sure it is done in compliance with municipal requirements. There may also be a separate electrical and plumbing inspection.

What happens if I don’t get a permit?

If you carry out a renovation project that requires a building permit without having one, your municipality can issue a “stop work” order, which remains in effect until you obtain a permit. If the work doesn’t meet the requirements of the Building Code, you may well have to redo it at your own cost. In worst case scenarios, you could be forced to “un-renovate” your home, such as removing an addition. This could happen if you violate setback regulations for instance. Working without a required permit may also affect an insurance claim arising from the renovation. Before any work begins on your home, check with your insurance representative, who can explain exactly what is needed to ensure continuous and adequate coverage, both during and after the renovation.

Municipal Governments
Before you renovate, ensure either you or your renovator contact the municipality in which you live to find out about local building bylaws, and required permits and inspections.

City of Vancouver
604-873-7011
www.vancouver.ca

District of North Vancouver
604-463-5221
www.dnv.org

District of West Vancouver
604-925-7000
www.westvancouver.net

City of Burnaby
604-294-7944
www.city.burnaby.bc.ca

City of Coquitlam
604-927-3000
www.coquitlam.ca

City of New Westminster
604-521-3711
city.new-westminster.bc.ca

City of North Vancouver
604-985-7761
www.cnv.org

City of Port Coquitlam
604-927-5411
www.portcoquitlam.ca

City of Port Moody
604-469-4500
www.cityofportmoody.com

City of Richmond
604-276-4000
www.richmond.ca

Information courtesy of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level One is now in the Tri-Cities!

The wait is over. Level One is now available in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby and New Westminster.

There has been a lot of interest in our work outside of Vancouver, and as respected renovation experts we continue to expand our service area, we will continue to focus on customer excellence and the highest standards of work.

Click here to request a Free In-home estimate
Or call us at (604) 647-1718

Take a peek at one of our projects

4 small home improvements that will pay back

Adapted from Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate

Everybody wants to find ways to save money around the house. These days there are plenty of small home improvements you can make that pay for themselves.
We selected some of our favorites. Flip through these, then get busy … and watch the dollars and cents start adding up.

1. Programmable thermostat
“A programmable thermostat can save you a couple of hundred dollars a year on your heating and cooling costs,” says Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor for Consumer Reports. You can program it to, say, lower the temp in the house while you sleep, and warm up the house just before you wake. We use Honeywell. They are Energy Star rated, easy-to-read, easy to install and can help save up to 33% on annual heating and cooling costs. You can find them at Home Depot in different models from $50 – $180. You’re going to make that back in the first year.

2. Insulation
Heat loss through walls, floors and the roof accounts for about 45% of heat loss (or cooling loss, in summer) in a typical home, says Amanda Lowenberger, researcher for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Need more incentive? There’s a significant federal tax credit for installing insulation — 30% (up to $1,800) of the cost of materials

3. Tankless water heaters
Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters provide hot water only when it’s needed, and so they remove the need for a big tank of hot water waiting in the basement (and the energy use that comes with that). The tankless heaters are anywhere from 8% to 50% more efficient than old-school tanks, depending on a home’s needs, the government says. Read more about their pros and cons in http://www.ehow.com/

4. Energy-efficient windows
New, energy-efficient windows are a great way to save money over time, and they do it in lots of ways: They stem unwanted heat and cooling loss in winter and summer, respectively; they block harmful UV rays that fade carpets and furniture; and they can even reduce the size of the heating/cooling system you need. Recently, several energy-efficient homes were built that included good windows, resulting in a 30% reduction in the size of the air-conditioning system needed, according to the Efficient Windows Collaborative. Cost for energy-efficient windows varies widely based on size, number of windows and location.
Ask for a free in-home estimate.