When It Pays To Get the Thumbs Up
July 31st, 2009 categories: Real Estate News, Repairs
Have you ever seen that old Maxwell House commerical? It’s early morning, and there’s a couple sitting on their back deck, enjoying each other’s company while enjoying a cup of coffee. Haven’t we all enjoyed similar moments? A cool morning or evening on the deck, with our favorite beverage, enjoying the relative peace and quiet, and beauty that surrounds us.
The deck is one feature many home buyers are looking for when shopping for a home. One of the attractions of the Stafford and Fredericksburg area, and Virginia as a whole, is the temperate climate. Outside of a couple of Winter months, our climate is quite comfortable. So, spending time outside, on the deck, just makes sense, whether its lighting up the barbeque or simply another occasion, relaxing with friends. For many home buyers, if the home they purchase doesn’t have a deck, they’ll build one before too long. But, sometimes, in making plans for the deck addition, homeowners forget the most important consideration of all – obtaining the required permit from the county.
Whether adding an room or a deck to a home, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties require a buidling permit. Each of the counties provide clear guidance as to what their permit requirements are on their county’s website.
With the advent of these online resources, homeowners know exactly what they need in order to have their decks built properly. But, as the above “Deck Details Policy” indicates, before beginning with the deck work, ensure the contractor you’ve hired is properly licensed. The Virginia Board for Contractors web site is a good place to begin your search for a licensed contractor. In order to obtain a permit, the contract MUST be properly licensed.
Whether adding a deck or another room onto your home, you’ll need a permit, and the contractor needs to follow the appropriate building code requirements. Licensed contractors are well aware of these requirements. Without these, you’ll not only find it impossible to get these parts of the home insured, but you’ll also face difficulties when it comes time to sell.
Homeowners sometimes fail to report home improvements to the county’s assessor to avoid increases in their home’s assessed value, and, what they are taxed. But, they’ll have to face the music when they decide to sell. As part of the property diclosure process, this improvement, and the lack of permit, which are material facts, will need to be disclosed. A good buyer’s agent will do their best to require the seller to produce the permit before they’ll agree to sign for the house.
So, while you may look forward to those morning or evenings, enjoying a little “down time” on the deck, do yourself a favor, and make sure that deck is permitted first.
