When you are planning home renovations, no matter what the scope is, preparation is everything. Taking the time beforehand to make sure that you have everything in place, and you aren’t going to be falling afoul of local planning regulations, will save you a lot of bother further down the road. Here’s what you need to know about home renovation laws in the US.
Defining Home Renovations
The term home renovations refer to any repairs or improvements that you make to your home. However, minor repairs and improvements, those that don’t impact the structure of the property in any way, aren’t usually covered by the regulations affecting home renovations. It is generally only major works that you will need to seek permission for and adhere to strict guidelines.
You Need To Check Local Requirements Before You Begin
The laws and regulations surrounding home renovations will vary between states; it is essential that you find out what the local regulations are before you make any detailed plans for your renovations. For example, see this blog for an idea of how complex the fencing regulations alone can be for an individual state. Failing to find this information out now can end up costing you down the line. If you install a fence on your property that breaches regulations, you could be forced to take it down again at your own expense.
Other Legal Disputes
If you work with outside contractors during your home renovations, then this is going to be your most likely source of legal headaches. If you aren’t satisfied with the job that a contractor does or they fail to live up to their end of your contract, you will have to pursue them through the courts for compensation. It is a good idea to have proper contracts in place with anyone that you work with, as this reduces the chances of problems further down the line.
Another common source of legal woes is from property damage. If the works that you are undertaking end up having an impact on other people’s property, then you could be held liable for the damages. Depending on the extent of the damages, this could end up being very expensive for you. Insurance can protect you against this to some extent.
Should I Hire A Lawyer?
If everything goes smoothly, then you shouldn’t need the services of a lawyer. However, if you are unsure about whether your planned renovations are legally sound or not, then it is always worth consulting with a professional who will know the answer. It’s not a bad idea to research lawyers beforehand, so you have someone on speed dial just in case you do require their legal help.
Hopefully, your home renovations will go off without a hitch, and you will be free to enjoy the changes you make to your property. However, if you don’t prepare properly and do your research beforehand, you could end up facing an expensive teardown of all your hard work. Make sure that you know what work you are undertaking and what the regulatory status is before you begin.
