Converting a room to bedroom - permit

[Nick Harz]

Do I need a permit to do so? And if so, is it ok to do the conversion while waiting for the permit to be approved? It is a simple change and the room already has 2 egress and all I need is a closet.

[Sherry McQuage]

Try contacting your local planning and zoning board and ask them..  If you ever need to sell the property, having permitted renovations makes all the difference in the price you can sell for.  Un-permitted work is often of no value, or of lesser value because there is no official inspection saying the work was done up to code.  In my mind, it's better to go ahead and get permits (if they are required) then you never have to worry if what you have sunk money into will be recouped when you sell.

Do not start working on the conversion until you have heard if a permit is required.  Some municipalities will charge you double the permit price if you have already started the work.  Follow the rules and you won't get burned.  The new time you do a conversion, you will know and the process will be faster.

Best to you,

Sherry