Quote:
Originally Posted by starflyte1
Do I need a $300+ permit to replace same size sliding door?
If yes, does the permit only the one door, so is it another $300+ for second permit?
Do I need a permit to replace storm door at entry?
Sumter county website has overprinted answers to my questions and I can’t read them.
I thought I read that replacing a window or door that did not change appearance of building didn’t need a permit. There may have been changes since then.
A $300+ permit for a slider doesn’t make becoming more energy efficient very appealing.
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While I can’t speak for sure for Sumter County, this is how building permits usually work. Most towns require contractors, tradespeople, and homeowners to follow building codes. Usually these are pretty much the same across the country. The codes exist to make sure building is done properly without the corner-cutting that makes builders more money by doing a lousy job. The codes are more advanced than they used to be, which makes our houses safer. For example, hurricane straps are now required, and these keep roofs on houses during storms. Shingles have to be nailed on a certain way. As for sliding doors, they have to have the right sort of safety glass. There has to be adequate support above and below them. There needs to be flashing properly installed that keeps out water during storms and air flow from outside while your heater or air conditioner are running. Why? Not every builder keeps up with the best practices for doing various things, and many homeowners are willing to go with inferior products to save money.
In many or most cases, the building permit fees are meant to cover the cost of running the department. There is a lot of paperwork involved, and a lot of phone calls, emails, and letters. Most important, the fees cover visits by building inspectors to check to make sure the work is correctly done. This is for your safety. For example, up north there are very specific rules about how a deck must be attached to a house, including the right bolts, joist hangers, nails, wood, and spacing. Why? Because people get upset when twenty people are standing on a deck during a BBQ and it pulls away from the house and collapses. Building inspectors usually have worked for years as builders and know how it is done, and they take classes to learn how it should be done, and they study the building codes and memorize a lot of them. They have the power to force a builder to take it apart and do it right. They also check, say, to make sure that new pool or addition is not partly on someone else’s property.
In many cases of home improvement, the building inspector never shows up or isn’t required to, but if you want something inspected, just ask. A visit will be scheduled.
A lot of contractors will do work without filing for a permit if you ask. However, if you sell your house and it catches fire and it turns out that is due to improperly installed wiring done by you or by an electrician without a permit, you can inspect a lawsuit.