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Before You Remodel Contacts Allen County Board of Health (260) 449-7695 www.allencounty.us Allen County Building Department (260) 449-7131 www.allencounty.us Allen County Dept. of Planning Services (260) 449-7607 www.allencounty.us Allen County Surveyor (260) 449-7625 www.allencounty.us Fort Wayne Area Association of REALTORS® (260) 426-4700 www.fwaar.com Fort Wayne Planning and Zoning (260) 427-1129 www.cityoffortwayne.org Home Builders Association of Ft. Wayne (260) 420-2020 www. hbafortwayne.com Leo-Cedarville Planning Department (260) 637-6321 www.leocedarville-in.gov New Haven Planning Department (260) 749-2212 www.newhaven.org Frequently Asked Questions Whether it’s adding another room to accommodate your growing family, building a deck to enjoy the great outdoors, or installing a fence to offer privacy, navigating the process of obtaining permits, deciding whether or not to hire a contractor and actually completing the project can be overwhelming. Take a few minutes to review the following information before beginning your project. This brochure includes contact information and Internet addresses for many resources. Learning about the common pitfalls of home improvement can save you time and money in the long run. Where do I start? The first step is to determine which planning jurisdiction your home is located in. Contact information for the four planning departments in Allen County is on the back of this brochure. Some regulations and processes will be the same from one jurisdiction to the next, but others will vary. It’s important to determine which regulations apply to your project. How long will the process take? How long the process takes depends on your project. There are time constraints involved in obtaining permits, securing inspections and actually completing the process. Why do I need permits? The permitting and inspection processes are in place to protect you and your family. They are necessary to help ensure that the improvement project is completed safely and in accordance with state and local codes. One factor in whether or not you will need a permit is if your project is considered a “remodel” or “maintenance” on your home. For example, replacing the sink in your bathroom is “maintenance.” Adding a bathroom to your home is a “remodel.” Consult the Building Department and your local planning department to be sure that you are aware of the permits necessary for your project. Do I need to hire a professional? Depending on the project, you may need to hire a professional architect or designer. You may also find it helpful to hire a licensed contractor instead of trying to do the work yourself. Before deciding whether or not to hire a professional, learn about the permits and inspections necessary for your project. What else do I need to consider? As part of the research phase, find out whether or not you live in a flood plain, assess what impact your improvement will have on your property value and property taxes, confirm where utility easements and property lines are, determine whether or not you’re on a septic system, and learn about the zoning requirements and neighborhood covenants. A quick reference guide designed to walk you through the planning and completion of your next project. Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne, Inc. Call before you dig. 1-[PHONE REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- Research Permits Construction Finalize Find out if you need permits to complete your remodel. Consult community resources to plan your project. Complete the job on your own or use a licensed contractor. Finish the job, complete any necessary paperwork and reap the rewards of your work. Resources Allen County Public Library www.acpl.lib.in.us Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors (property values resources) www.fwaar.com Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne (member contractor info) www.hbafortwayne.com AEP Before You Dig Hotline 1-[PHONE REDACTED] Board of Health (septic info) (260) 449-7695 V Tips Be a good neighbor. Find out about your neighborhood association rules and let your neighbors know about the project your undertaking. Assess your costs. Don’t forget about the cost of permits and any future costs to maintain your project. Research the value of your project and its impact on property taxes or property value. Decide if you’re doing the work yourself or hiring a professional. < V Resources Allen County Building Dept. (260) 449-7131 www.allencounty.us Planning Departments (see reverse for contact info for contact numbers for each planning district) $ Y Resources Allen County Public Library Reference Section 2000 International Residential Code Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne (member contractor info) (260) 420-2020 Better Business Bureau (contractor references) www.fortwayne.bbb.org V Resources Allen County Building Dept. (260) 449-7131 www.allencounty.us Planning Departments (see reverse for contact info for contact numbers for each planning district) Tips Find out if your project requires permits. Hint: fences, roofs, sheds and most pools require permits. Remember, if you’re doing the work yourself, you still need to obtain permits to complete the work. < Tips Ask questions. Visit your home improvement store and ask the experts about products, durability and recommendations. If you’re hiring a professional, be certain you hire a licensed contractor. If you’re hiring a professional, get a contract in writing and be sure you understand the terms before work begins. < Tips If required, have inspections and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion before using your new improvement. Confirm that the terms of the contract were met before issuing final payment. < Key Y Call for info. V Info online. < Don’t forget! $ Fee charged. ver. 11/04 Y Y $ V