When facing a home project, big or small, there is always the questions of whether or not you require a licensed professional for the job. Some projects must have someone licensed to be legal. Oftentimes permits are required as well as subsequent city inspections. Without a licensed pro handling the job, local inspectors sometimes will not issue a permit and approve the work. This of course varies from city to city, county to county, and state to state, but in most areas the laws are pretty similar.
So, how do you know when you need a licensed expert? There are a few ways to quickly figure out if a license Is required for your project or not.
Call the City
A surefire way to know if a license is required for your home project is to contact your local authority. Your city inspection’s office will be happy to hear about your proposed work and let you know what requirements there may be for it. It’s possible you’ll need someone credentialed to handle the work, but maybe not. What you’ll need or not will be clearly define by the inspector you speak with when you call in and do your research.
What Kind of Work Usually Needs a Professional?
The most likely kind of work to require a professional is that which involves major upgrades or repairs. A few examples include water heater installations, electrical panel upgrades, and new air conditioning installations. These types of projects are typically going to need a permit and inspection and will require a master to oversee the work.
What Kind of Work Usually Does Not Need a Professional?
Handymen or do-it-yourself homeowners can usually handle smaller projects. Within the plumbing world, for example, a license is typically not required to replace a toilet or other fixture, nor is it typically needed to unclog drains. The materials needed for these jobs are readily available at major hardware stores and do not require a license to purchase and install.
Summary
Some work definitely requires a license to perform and even possibly to purchase the required materials. These types of jobs are usually larger or deal with more hazardous issues, or they involve substantial changes to a property. Smaller, easier types of jobs usually avoid any licensing requirements or city inspection entanglements. Whatever your job you’re considering, however, just start by calling your local city authority to determine what requirements your project may have.
