In most cities, the cost of a building permit is based on the value of the proposed construction. More often than not, contractors include the building permit fee in the total construction costs of your project.
However, there are cases when the permit fee must be paid separately from other construction costs.
In this blog post, we will answer the question ‘How much do permits cost?’. We will discuss what factors can affect the permit fee costs and what to be aware of during the construction.
How Much do permits cost for Decks
A deck building permit cost is between $50 to $150. Covered deck permits will cost more, depending on the city.
Permit costs depend on the cost of labor and materials. For example, for a $10,000 deck, the permit fee would be $126.62, while a $12,000 detached garage addition will require a permit fee of $147.20.
Permits may not be required for decks that are:
- Detached from the house
- Under 200 square feet
- Under 30" above grade
- Are not served by the main exit door
- Have no electricity or plumbing
- Are not in a floodplain
Demolition Permit Costs And Other Permit Fees
If you’re wondering how much do permits cost for a demolition, the answer is between $100 and $450 on average. Some cities include demolition permits as part of a general building permit.
Demolition permits are required when demolishing an entire structure or removing a wall.
Additional demolition permits may apply for:
- Demolition of historic landmarks: $300 to $10,000
- Tree removing
- Closing the public right-of-way
- Capping or relocating lines: $100 to $150 each
- City zoning regulations
- Dust control
Building Inspection Fee
An inspection fee is a fee that the city charges to have a building inspector come and check the construction site. This fee can vary depending on the size of the project and whether or not it is a residential or commercial property.
The average cost for an inspection fee is $100 to $500. However, this amount can change depending on the city.
The process requires multiple visits from local building inspectors before, during, and after construction. Work that fails inspection requires a re-inspection that costs $40 to $100.
What Happens If You Build Without A Permit?
Building without a permit can lead to fines, putting an end to your project, or even demolishing what you built.
Applying for permits after the fact may double or triple permit costs, which is why we recommend getting a permit before building.
How To Obtain Building Permits
Usually, the contractor, architect, or designer obtains the general building permit and manages the project to completion. Under normal circumstances, you won’t even have to worry about paperwork, building permit fees, and going back and forth to get your permit.
Here at Deck Bros, your experts will take care of everything from start to finish. We make it easy to work with us, which is why we decided we’ll do all the work for you! You’ll go through a simple process that proved to work for hundreds of other homeowners just like you.
The steps to get a permit
- Fill out a building permit application.
- Prepare a site plan. Extensive construction projects require professional drawings that meet building codes and regulations.
- Schedule an appointment for the plan approval. If the project is relatively small, the plan may be approved the same day. Depending on the scope of work, the plan can require changes or undergo additional review. In that case, getting the plan approval might take more than a day.
- Get the permit. It takes about two weeks to have your building permit.
- Schedule inspections throughout the construction process to ensure everything is up to code and your project is ready for the final city approval upon completion.
These are available at city offices or online. You can get a permit in Omaha from here.
How Much do permits cost? find out from this table
| National Average Cost | $477 |
| Minimum Cost | $50 |
| Maximum Cost | $6,000 |
| Average Range | $150 to $1,500 |
What To Be Aware Of
- Professional contractors usually get building permits easier and include any permit fees in their estimates.
- If a homeowner pulls an owner-builder permit, they assume all code responsibility, financial liability, and insurance risks.
- You can get a permit on the same day for small projects, but it takes around two weeks to get a permit for a more extensive construction.
- Permit services will handle all the paperwork, relationships, legalities, and inspections and streamline the process.
- Projects that don't require a permit must follow local building and zoning codes.
- You'll need multiple permits for different projects.
Pre Approved Plans For Decks
The City of Omaha Planning Department’s Permits and Inspections Division announced in 2021 new permitting options for deck and garage construction.
The local building department offers five commonly submitted deck plans and two detached garage plans. These are rapid, pre-approved plans that aim to save homeowners time and money. They are designed to make it easier for you to start your decking project and avoid countless trips to the city offices.
After choosing a plan, the applicant must also submit a site plan that shows the house’s location on the lot and where the deck will go.
Once you send the plan, the competent authorities will ensure it complies with the zoning requirements, and a permit is issued within a couple of days.
In 2020, the City of Omaha issued 746 building permits for decks. To see the available plans, click here.
how much do permits cost? it depends on the project
| Deck Permit Cost | $50 – $150 |
| Garage Permit Cost | $150 – $500 |
| General Construction Permit Costs | $500 – $2,000 |
| Room Addition Permit Cost | $200 – $600 |
| Electrical Permit Cost | $50 - $350 |
| Roofing Permit Cost | $150 – $500 |
| Fence Permit Cost | $40 – $150 |
| Plumbing Permit Cost | $30 – $500 |
| HVAC Permit Costs | $50 – $1,500 |
| Water Heater Permit Cost | $25 – $250 |
| Shed Permit Cost | $50 – $145 |
| Pergola Permit Cost | $60 – $150 |
| House Permit Cost | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Building Inspection Fees | $100 – $500 |
Conclusion
If you’re looking to build a deck, don’t let the hassle of getting a building permit stand in your way.
A specialized contractor will make the process much smoother and faster, and they may even be able to take advantage of their connections and obtain the permit easier. Hiring an expert to work on your deck will ensure the structure is safe and up to code.
Keep in mind that the cost of a building permit depends on the construction’s value – so if you have a large or complex project, it may be worth reaching out for a quote.
Get in touch with your experts at Deck Bros and get yourself an outdoor space the easy way!
Get in touch with your experts at Deck Bros and get yourself an outdoor space the easy way!
