If you’re thinking about working with All Canadian Renovations to renovate your home in Winnipeg, you may have already explored the basics of home renovations. You may have found out that any home renovation in Winnipeg requires approval directly from the City of Winnipeg. But why is this the case? Why is a renovation permit required for changes to your private residence? In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of this policy, and why you must abide by it. Let’s get started.
Is a renovation permit required for any work in Winnipeg?
Yes. According to the City of Winnipeg, a permit is required if you are going to “build, add, renovate or alter any part of your residence” or “…work on the electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical systems of your residence.”
There are only a few exceptions, including:
- Building an open deck with a floor height under 2 feet (600 mm) from ground level
- Replacing shingles, stucco, or siding with the same material
- Replacing doors and units with new units of the same size
- Fence installation/replacement (single and two-family dwellings)
- Patching, painting, interior decorating, etc.
- Installing cabinets and shelves
For anything more complex than these above exceptions, you’ll need a renovation permit before you start your project – whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional.
Why do I need a permit to renovate my home?
Why do I need a permit to renovate my home?The City of Winnipeg uses the permit system to review plans and audit the construction of individual homes, and to make sure that the intended renovations comply with zoning laws, building and electrical codes, and other such ordinances.
This helps reduce the number of renovations and changes that may break zoning and building codes, leading to higher-quality buildings and more consistency between buildings in Winnipeg.
What happens if I don’t get a permit for my renovation?
If you do small renovation projects yourself without getting a renovation permit or worse, you hire a professional renovation company that fails to obtain the proper permit, a lot of bad things can happen to you.
First, the renovation may need to be redone if it does not meet minimum Building Code requirements, and this will be done at your own cost. If your renovation cannot comply with the Building Code, it must be removed. Again, this will be at your cost.
And, even if you don’t obtain a permit, you will be charged the cost of a permit “after the fact,” and legal action may be taken to ensure that you pay for your permit, and for any associated fees and fines, if applicable.
Home resale complications due to renovations without a permit
In the future, it may also be harder to sell your property, even if the authorities do not find out about an unauthorized renovation. A home inspector, for example, may find the unpermitted renovation while you’re trying to sell the house – and if it does not meet code requirements, this will be reported to the buyer, complicating the sale and leading to potential issues with the City of Winnipeg.
Don’t attempt any renovation without a permit in Winnipeg
In the grand scheme of things, it’s never worth it to try to save a little bit of money by skipping renovation permits in Winnipeg. That’s why at All Canadian Renovations Ltd. one of the first steps in all our projects is planning for and acquiring the appropriate permits from the City of Winnipeg offices.
If you have an area of your home you’re planning on renovating, contact All Canadian Renovations Ltd. today to get an estimate for your project. We specialize in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, and we’re always happy to hear from new customers. To start your next project – call us at 204-779.6900 – or use our contact us form online!