Charlie Nail

Do it yourself remodeling - are your plans legal? Charlie Nail, home remodeling guru advises that you have to dot every “i” and cross every “t”. That means you must check the legalities of your home remodeling plans. This does not mean that you can’t do your project, it does mean that you need to let your fingers do the walking before you spend a dime.

Also, in this discussion, we are referring to your home remodeling plan not your building plans. We will discuss this later in the building section of this website.

Please do not start a do it yourself remodeling project without first checking with all entities that have a stake in your property.

Step One - Planning and Zoning

Planning an exterior project, like an addition or deck? DO NOT go any further until you make a quick phone call to your local planning and zoning department. You will need to ask them for the front, side and back setbacks to your property. This refers to the dimensions from your proposed project to the property line.
If your proposed do it yourself remodeling project encroaches into this setback, you will need to apply for a variance, or permission to do this. Variances are not granted just because you want one. You must go through a series of steps to prove needs that are justifiable to the overall community plan that the city or county has put into place. They usually have instructions to follow. Applying for variances is a time intensive process, so please remember to add this to your schedule as outlined in home remodeling plans - timing is everything.

Step Two - HomeOwners Associations

The second group you will need to consult with will by your homeowners association. Their contact information should be in with all of your property purchase documents. They will have rules pertaining to an exterior project. They may have restrictions on what you can do on the interior, better safe than sorry, so find out ahead of time. Typically, they have a very stringent policy on the timing of getting a set of plans reviewed. Make sure you know all of the time elements to put into your schedule. Don’t fret about any restrictions they may have, review what homeowners associations can and can’t do. Then move on to the next step.

Step Three - Historically Designated Homes

This step will only be taken by those of you who live in historically designated homes. Once again, you should know just what historic district by reviewing your purchase documents. They will have some strict guidelines on most exterior projects and on some interior.

Step Four - Building Department

Once you have gone to each of these agencies there is one more stop. Call your local building department and explain briefly what you want to do. Ask them if they have a list of instructions for the do it yourself remodeling homeowner in how to apply for a permit. Get these before you proceed with any other actions. Then ask them how long their review process will be. Put this information into your schedule.

One of the most important things to do when calling each of these entities is to keep track of the contact dates, contact names, phone numbers and what was said. You need to be able to discuss your project with these same people as you encounter issues. There is a place to do this in your Home Remodeling Plan Workbook.

Congratulations! You have just completed your home remodeling plan.

You have pinned down every detail, answered every question and can now start creating the best do it yourself remodeling project.

Take a short break and then let’s head over to Cost Remodeling to start working on the design and specific costs of your project.

Finally, we get to work on what it will look and feel like! Rock and roll!