It seems that home renovations are at an all-time high. According to the Joint Center for Housing Centers of Harvard University (JCHS), homeowners spent $328 billion in 2019 on renovations. It grew to $472 billion in 2022, with an estimated spending of $485 billion in 2023.
One of the most popular home improvements is load-bearing wall removal. Although complicated, tearing down a load-bearing wall gives you plenty of open space. Your house gets an uplift without breaking the bank and having to leave your neighborhood.
But before you start talking to load-bearing wall removal contractors, you need to get the permit. Yes, it is necessary to remove your load-bearing wall, like most of your other home improvement projects.
Let’s learn more about the risks of not getting load bearing wall removal permit.
Are You Allowed to Remove Your Load Bearing Wall?
Yes, load-bearing wall removal in Utah is legal. You can remove the load-bearing wall in your house to create more open space. However, getting a permit is necessary. Wall removal falls under the category of home renovation. So, you will need to apply for a permit with the local municipality or a suitable authority.
In other words, you should start the permit process before speaking with load-bearing wall removal experts. The homeowner is often responsible for getting the permit and all other necessary paperwork. Your contractor will only take care of the actual removal.
The Risks of Not Getting a Load Bearing Wall Removal Permit
As you can see, getting a load-bearing wall removal permit is necessary. The building codes vary depending on your community. But you can’t do major home improvements without a permit, including load-bearing wall removal. Here are a few potential consequences of a load-bearing wall removal in Utah without a permit.
1. Pay Steep Penalties
Penalties are the most obvious risk of not getting a load-bearing wall removal permit. More often than not, homeowners avoid getting a permit because it can cost anywhere between $100 to $500 or more. But when caught, you will face steep penalties, often $1000 or more.
That said, getting a notice of code violation can have devastating consequences. In addition to paying the fine, you will need to make the necessary repairs immediately. You may also need to hire an attorney to deal with the local government to resolve the issue. And the local authorities will keep penalizing you over and over again until you straighten things out.
Clearly, getting the permit is the best way to save money and legal hassles.
2. Face Difficulties When Selling Your Home
When you renovate a part of your house and pull a permit for that, the local authorities will examine your house. If everything is up to the code, they make a record of it and update your deed.
When you are selling your property, the buyer will look at your house’s deed. And when they find discrepancies in the information listed in your deed and the actual house, they may back out of the deal. In short, you will have a tough time selling your house if you didn’t get load bearing wall removal permit.
Get the permit first, whether you DIY it or hire load-bearing wall removal contractors.
3. Roll Back All Your Upgrades
Some communities have strict building code regulations. If they find out you hired load-bearing wall removal contractors and took down your wall without a permit, you may have to roll back your upgrades. This is especially true because load-bearing wall removal also involves moving your plumbing and electrical work.
Don’t think about saving a few hundred dollars. Instead, get a permit and hire professional load-bearing wall removal contractors to do the work. That will help save your money, time, and reputation.
4. Lose Your Homeowner’s Insurance Cover
You most probably have homeowner’s insurance. It helps protect your property from potential damage. But home insurance companies like to insure a structurally sound and well-maintained house.
Your insurance provider may not pay for the damages resulting from unpermitted work. Get a permit first, whether a load-bearing wall removal in Utah or a plumbing change.
Worse still, the insurance company might cancel the coverage if they get to know about the loading-wall removal without a permit. And as you can imagine, you will have a tough time getting new coverage.
5. Increased Damage Liability
Unpermitted work can haunt you forever. You could still be held liable if your unpermitted work caused the damage. For example, if the foundation shifts because of your unpermitted load-bearing wall removal, the current owner can sue you for the damages. That’s one of the reasons why you need a permit first.
Get Professional Load Bearing Wall Removal Services
The importance of hiring professional load-bearing wall removal contractors cannot be overstated. While you will still have to get the permit yourself, hiring a professional will make sure your wall removal adheres to the building codes. But that’s not all.
Professional load-bearing wall removal experts can help:
- Accurately identify load-bearing walls in your home.
- Tear down the load-bearing wall safely.
- Use suitable temporary support structures.
- Install a suitable steel or wooden beam for permanent support.
- Spruce up your floor and ceiling just the way you want.
In Conclusion
Load-bearing wall removal is an excellent way to free up more space. It is one of the ultimate home upgrades that can truly lift the aesthetics and functionality of your house. But you shouldn’t start tearing down your wall without a suitable permit. The consequences of not doing so can range from steep penalties to increased damage liability. The bottom line – get your permit before starting your work.
Are you thinking of removing your lead-bearing wall? Talk to Load Bearing Pros – your trusted load-bearing wall removal contractors in Utah. Get in touch with us today to know more!
