Don't let permits and inspections scare you or worry you.  I remember this was a big mental hurdle in my mind to getting started.  The words alone seem so daunting.  Do you have permits for your basement? Did you pass inspection?  Crap!  What happens if I don't?  Jail time?  Huge fines?

Chillax.  There are no fines and you won't do time.  Try changing the vocabulary from" permits" and "inspections" to "announcements" and "reviews".  The permit is really just an announcement that you are going to do some work on your house.    The inspection is really just a review of your work by a licensed and experienced person who is just checking to make sure everything is safe.

Permits for finishing your basement

If you're finishing your basement yourself you can actually start without one.  I built a couple of my walls before I made it official and purchased my "announcement" (permit). I don't even have permits as one of my 8 steps to how to finish a basement.

Now, if you're planning to have a huge back hoe outside of your house to dig up some dirt and install a basement window, then you may have a neighbor or two who start to ask some questions and in that case you want to have your permit ready.   The very first inspection visit is the framing inspection so as long as you have the permit before then, you're good to go. [Read more...]