There are a lot of decisions that go into building a custom home. There are people to hire, materials to choose from, and layouts to plan. While you essentially have free rein when it comes to many decisions, other aspects of building a custom home are governed more by legal requirements.
Securing Building Permits
Did you know that there are codes that buildings need to comply with to meet basic safety standards? Maintaining compliance with building, zoning, and construction codes is one of the purposes of having a building permit in the first place. Unless you’re taking full responsibility for the construction, the responsibility of securing the appropriate permits falls to your builder. It’s probably worth following up with them to make sure that they’ve pulled the permits. According to Divitia Realty, the consequences of building without a permit just aren’t worth not having one.
Having Your Home Inspected
In most cases, a standard home inspection isn’t a legal requirement. What is required in most places is a code inspection. Code inspections are required for similar reasons to building permits. Your home needs to be in compliance with codes. That said, according to J Bixler Inspections, it’s still a good idea to have your new home inspected the way a standard home inspection would. An inspection will ensure major systems like electrical and plumbing can safely function. By having both a standard and code inspection done, you’ll be in legal compliance and can be assured that you have a safe, quality home.
Honoring the Contract
You are legally obligated to honor the contract you sign with your builder. That means you can’t skip out on paying them or violate any other terms and conditions within the contract. It may seem obvious, but it’s not unheard of for a homeowner to refuse to pay their contractor. Of course, they need to hold up their end as well. There are different ways to handle the payment for the work they’re doing. According to Oracle Netsuite, you may find that arranging progress payments is the best way to go for both of you.
Following legal requirements when building a custom home is essential for the process to go smoothly. Whether it’s securing the appropriate permits, having inspections done, or honoring contracts you’ve signed, there are reasons for the legalities that surround the process. Follow them and you’ll be more likely to have a quality home that you can safely call your own.