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Planning a building project this year? Read on….
Now that spring is here many of you have remodeling and room addition projects in mind and are ready to get started. Now is the time to make sure you have taken the necessary steps to ensure a satisfactory job with timely completion.
- The first thing you want to do is get your plans together and share them with the Midlothian Building Department. Then obtain your building permit along with a list of licensed, insured and bonded contractors, which we will be pleased to provide.
- You should get a minimum of three bids. When you select a contractor, have a contract prepared that clearly spells out the scope of the project, when it will be started and completed, and the method of payment.
- Make sure you or the contractor phone for regular inspections by our Building Department. This will protect you from inferior workmanship. Never make a final payout until a final inspection and the contractor provides you with material waivers. The fact that you paid the contractor is no guarantee he has paid for the material used in your project. The supplier could come after you for his money by placing a lien on your property until the account is paid.
- A word of caution: Make sure your contractor can provide references or comes well recommended by someone you know. Don't just pick out the biggest ad in the Yellow Pages or be taken in by fancy ads on television or print media. Select your contractors as you would your doctor. This will make for a pleasurable experience, not a disaster.
- If you're doing an addition to your building, residential or commercial, you will be required to submit two sets of plans, your plat of survey, the legal description of your property and the permanent index number on your real estate tax bill. Similar permit requirements apply to garages and garage additions.
- Work that requires a permit but does not affect your real estate tax bill includes electric, plumbing, door and window replacement, roofs, gutters, siding, decks, sheds, fences, above ground and in-ground swimming pools.
- Another word of caution: Select your contractors carefully. Don't succumb to impulse buying. When someone comes knocking on your door offering a deal too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. The best thing you could do at this point is to phone the Midlothian Police Department non-emergency number, 385-2534 and report the unwanted solicitor.
Our Building Department is ready to help in all construction projects. Don't hesitate to call us at 385-8642.
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Village of Midlothian Building Ordinances
Why Occupancy Inspections?
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