What questions should I ask before I start a building project?
Q: What is a Building Permit?
A: A building permit is a license which grants legal permission to start construction of a building project.
Q: Is a Building Permit required when you work on a single-family dwelling, including alteration?
A: As a general rule, a Building Permit is required whenever structural work is involved or when the basic living area of a home is to be changed including any electrical, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning work.
Q: Do I need a license to do building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work on my own house?
A: No, provided you are the owner and live in that dwelling. All electrical, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning repairs must be done by a licensed contractor on rental property.
Q: Must a contractor be licensed to build a new dwelling?
A: Yes. If the dwelling costs more than $30,000 to construct, then a contractor must be licensed from the State of North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Q: How do I select a contractor to build my new home?
A: The Inspections Division cannot recommend contractors.
You should talk to other home owners for whom the contractor has
done work. You may want to ask about the quality of the work and
if it was done in a timely manner.
If problems turned up after completion, did the
contractor respond to their calls?
Remember, a contractor’s reputation is their
best asset. Be sure the contractor has a permanent business location
(which may be their own home), is a licensed contractor, and has
a telephone. Our office can verify the contractor’s license
for you. After you have narrowed your list, you may want to check
with your local Better Business Bureau. Obtain at least three
estimates. Remember that the lowest bid may not always be the
best choice. You should agree on building plans and specifications
before making your final decision and beginning work on your home.
Q: Do Building Codes and Building Inspectors protect you from receiving poor quality work on your home?
A: No. Building codes only set minimum safety standards for the work done. Inspectors are not permitted to judge the quality.
Q: Do I need a permit to put a small storage building in my back yard?
A: Yes. Even though accessory buildings with any dimension less than 12 feet are not required to meet building code, they must still meet the zoning setbacks. The Building Permit is the only way our office can determine if your building meets the zoning requirements.
Q: Are manufactured homes allowed in the City of Gastonia and its extraterritorial zoning limits?
A: Yes. Under certain circumstances, a Manufactured Home may be replaced in a Manufactured Home Park or replaced on separate lots under certain conditions. Multi-sectional manufactured homes meeting certain criteria are also allowed in Manufactured Home Subdivision Parks. Always check with the City’s building Inspections Department if you have any questions before you purchase or replace your manufactured Home.
Q: Are building plans required to build single-family dwellings?
A: Yes. Building plans of the proposed dwelling are required so that the building inspectors can review them for Building Code compliance. This review helps to prevent mistakes before you undertake your project.
Q: Are Building Plans required for commercial buildings?
A: Yes. Three complete sets of plans must be submitted. One set stays on the job site, one is retained for the Inspections Department records, and one goes to the owner.
We hope that this information was helpful and will help you better understand the Building Permit process.
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