Plumbing is hard, technical work that is best done by someone with both skill and experience, such as a trusted Tampa Bay plumber. That way, whether you’re getting something repaired, or having a new addition made for your home, such as a bathroom renovation, you get the quality results you want when the work is finished.
But there’s one thing you may not be aware of if you haven’t had a lot of plumbing work done on your home. There will be some cases when your local plumber can arrive at your home and get to work straight away. But there may be other times when you’ll need to get a plumbing permit first. So what is this thing, and how does it work?
A Record Of The Job
The phrase “plumbing permit” is simple enough that you’ve probably already got a good idea of what it entails. This is a document that is issued by the city after you’ve submitted an application.
Once your application has been filled out and sent off, the city will look at it, and if everything is in order, issue their approval, give you the permit, and now your plumber can get on with the job.
What’s important to understand with a plumbing permit is that this isn’t just some troublesome bureaucratic red tape that is designed to waste your time. A plumbing permit, once approved, means that the city now has an approved, legal record of work done in your home.
An honest, professional Tampa Bay plumber will always advise you to get this permit for your own protection. Imagine what would happen if you’re trying to sell your home, and a visiting home inspector notes you have an additional bathroom not officially listed in city records because you didn’t get a permit. Your bathroom is illegal, and this could adversely affect the price of your home!
When You Need It
For instance, if you’ve got a leaky water pipe, and just need a small section of the plumbing repaired, there’s no need for a permit.
On the other hand, if you’re making a major change such as adding a new bathroom to a floor of your home, that additional plumbing infrastructure needs a permit.
Whenever you’re looking at a major addition, that will involve the installation of new plumbing components that weren’t there before; the city will want to know.
The Cost
Another thing to note is that a plumbing permit is not free. Our city works on a job-specific system, so what you play on the plumbing permit is entirely dependent on the nature of the installation.
If you’re getting a new backwater valve installed, for example, the fee for the permit is about $11. On the other hand, if you’re building a pool in your backyard and need a pump and filter system built in, the permit for this is $107.
Your needs for your Tampa, FL home or workplace are going to vary a lot from other people. Always make sure that you hire an experienced, certified plumber to do the job, and get you the legal documents you need, like a plumbing permit, to ensure you have your legal bases covered.
