Whenever a remodel for a kitchen and bathroom is undertaken in New Jersey permits usually must be filed with the local municipality. Permits fall under 3 main categories, Building, Electrical and Plumbing.
Before work begins, an application for each trade must be submitted to the building department by a licensed contractor for each trade. Most building departments require a drawing indicating the work that is to be done. Each municipality charges a fee depending on the scope of work, for a bathroom is usually ranges from $200 to $400, and $300 to $500 for a kitchen. Your local building may take up to 4 weeks to issue permits, this is something to keep in mind when beginning a project.
Once the permits are issued work may commence.
There are 2 inspections with every project, a Rough Inspection and a Final Inspection. During the Rough Inspection, the inspectors from each trade will come to your house to the examine the structural, electrical and plumbing work that is within the open walls. They confirm that the work performed is safe and code compliant. Only until Rough Inspections approvals are obtained for each trade can the new walls be installed. The Rough Inspection is critical.
The 2nd inspection is the Final Inspection. This is called for when the work is 100% complete. Each inspector will come again to examine the finished remodel. Once this is complete, your obligation to the municipality is complete.
We at NJ Kitchens and Baths take care of the entire permit process, your only responsibility is the cost of the permits. This assures you that your project is done legally, is code compliant and performed by a licensed contractor.
