Advice on remodeling

[allvol123]

Looking for free VN advice.

Doing a 5x9 bathroom remodel. Going to peel it down to studs and subflooring and redo it all.

That said, I am hiring electrical, plumbing, people etc. to do the work. Licensed, bonded people.

I got a building permit from the city of Knoxville but find myself a little confused just on this part. So website says I also need separate permits for each thing like electrical, plumbing, etc.

So if my building permit is permit A32 as example do they just tag on an electrical permit as A32-1 for example? And do I have to actually get that permit? Or when I hire an electrical professional he has the ability to do the work and list it under my building permit?

Any info appreciated.

 

[hog88]

Looking for free VN advice.

Doing a 5x9 bathroom remodel. Going to peel it down to studs and subflooring and redo it all.

That said, I am hiring electrical, plumbing, people etc. to do the work. Licensed, bonded people.

I got a building permit from the city of Knoxville but find myself a little confused just on this part. So website says I also need separate permits for each thing like electrical, plumbing, etc.

So if my building permit is permit A32 as example do they just tag on an electrical permit as A32-1 for example? And do I have to actually get that permit? Or when I hire an electrical professional he has the ability to do the work and list it under my building permit?

Any info appreciated.

Why did you pull a permit for such a small job?

 

[allvol123]

Why did you pull a permit for such a small job?

I dont know. I debated with myself on that. I had considered relocating some plumbing and removing some walls to enlarge it. I've probably backed off both those ideas.

Guess I could actually close it out and lose the less than $100.

 

[walkenvol]

Advice is worth what you pay for it so view mine in that light.

I worked myself through college doing construction jobs and grew up with a handy father. I’ve built and remodeled a couple houses and have been rehabbing an old cabin in the Walland area for the past year. I didn’t set out to do all the work myself but have found it near impossible to hire competent help which is why it’s taken me so long doing all the work myself. The current building boom has all the quality folks fully employed by contractors who move them from project to project. I would advise you to seek out a contractor with a good reputation and have them do the project unless you’re willing/capable of DIY. You will probably come out cheaper in the end with a fraction of the headache if you are going to attempt to find 4-5 different subcontractors to do the your bath project.

Good luck with your project!

 

[VolInNorthCack]

Why did you pull a permit for such a small job?

For real. That was going to be my question. I just finished a bathroom remodel. Did the same thing. Stripped it down to the frame. But I didn't have to pull any permits or anything. I live in NC though, so it may be different about that.

 

[hog88]

I dont know. I debated with myself on that. I had considered relocating some plumbing and removing some walls to enlarge it. I've probably backed off both those ideas.

Guess I could actually close it out and lose the less than $100.

I don't know the ordinances in the Knoxville area but IMO anytime you can avoid pulling a permit you are better off. Last year we remodeled the whole first floor minus the master. Removed walls, relocated kitchen, 2 new HVAC systems and didn't pull any permits. I think that helped speed the job along.

 

[LouderVol]

Looking for free VN advice.

Doing a 5x9 bathroom remodel. Going to peel it down to studs and subflooring and redo it all.

That said, I am hiring electrical, plumbing, people etc. to do the work. Licensed, bonded people.

I got a building permit from the city of Knoxville but find myself a little confused just on this part. So website says I also need separate permits for each thing like electrical, plumbing, etc.

So if my building permit is permit A32 as example do they just tag on an electrical permit as A32-1 for example? And do I have to actually get that permit? Or when I hire an electrical professional he has the ability to do the work and list it under my building permit?

Any info appreciated.

Usually the contractors will pull those little ones, if needed. You as the owner would have to reimburse them.

But I agree with the rest, probably not needed, you may just let your permit expire.

If you can talk with contractor they will be able to tell you if locally that type of stuff is needed. But I doubt it.

And definitely agree with whoever said to hire a GC, so that he hires his own plumbing, electrical, hvac etc. In the market today many of the trades arent looking for small jobs. so you may get better responses thru a GC that these guys know, instead of farming things out yourself.

 

[allvol123]

Usually the contractors will pull those little ones, if needed. You as the owner would have to reimburse them.

But I agree with the rest, probably not needed, you may just let your permit expire.

If you can talk with contractor they will be able to tell you if locally that type of stuff is needed. But I doubt it.

And definitely agree with whoever said to hire a GC, so that he hires his own plumbing, electrical, hvac etc. In the market today many of the trades arent looking for small jobs. so you may get better responses thru a GC that these guys know, instead of farming things out yourself.

Appreciate your advice and seem to think you are around this industry in some way...???

But I actually wanted to avoid a GC for such a small remodel. People need to make profits...and I'm all for that but didnt want to pay a GC for such a small project. I feel like I can schedule the plumber and electrician and save a good chunk by doing that myself.

I plan to remodel my master bath after this small one and may use a GC for that. Depends on my feelings about how this small one goes with me coordinating it.

 

[hog88]

Usually the contractors will pull those little ones, if needed. You as the owner would have to reimburse them.

But I agree with the rest, probably not needed, you may just let your permit expire.

If you can talk with contractor they will be able to tell you if locally that type of stuff is needed. But I doubt it.

And definitely agree with whoever said to hire a GC, so that he hires his own plumbing, electrical, hvac etc. In the market today many of the trades arent looking for small jobs. so you may get better responses thru a GC that these guys know, instead of farming things out yourself.

Good advice. Drywall guys around here have zero interest in small one off jobs.

 

[hog88]

Appreciate your advice and seem to think you are around this industry in some way...???

But I actually wanted to avoid a GC for such a small remodel. People need to make profits...and I'm all for that but didnt want to pay a GC for such a small project. I feel like I can schedule the plumber and electrician and save a good chunk by doing that myself.

I plan to remodel my master bath after this small one and may use a GC for that. Depends on my feelings about how this small one goes with me coordinating it.

If you can do everything else you should be fine. Finding drywall guys to do such a small job is where you'll probably have trouble.

 

[TBrown]

Appreciate your advice and seem to think you are around this industry in some way...???

But I actually wanted to avoid a GC for such a small remodel. People need to make profits...and I'm all for that but didnt want to pay a GC for such a small project. I feel like I can schedule the plumber and electrician and save a good chunk by doing that myself.

I plan to remodel my master bath after this small one and may use a GC for that. Depends on my feelings about how this small one goes with me coordinating it.

I’m using a GC for master and a smaller bath. Package deal on pricing vs what both quoted out individually due to scheduling ease. You should be able to leverage the master bath to get the small bath done pretty cheap. Take the headache out of the equation for yourself. Just my two cents

 

[LouderVol]

Appreciate your advice and seem to think you are around this industry in some way...???

But I actually wanted to avoid a GC for such a small remodel. People need to make profits...and I'm all for that but didnt want to pay a GC for such a small project. I feel like I can schedule the plumber and electrician and save a good chunk by doing that myself.

I plan to remodel my master bath after this small one and may use a GC for that. Depends on my feelings about how this small one goes with me coordinating it.

Architect. So I am used to doing it this way, so there is some bias.

My thoughts on the GC are just based on the market. I am thinking you are going to have to talk to 3 or 4 different contractors for each trade to find someone that will do the work. And then scheduling them may have timelines that dont line up. So while the work may only take a week or two you could be without bathroom for more than a month if the guys cant get in there. Wont promise a GC would be faster, just has a better chance.

I would definitely do what others have said and drop that you want the master done as well at some point. The guys are busy, and can be picky, a single bathroom may not be worth their time, so to speak.

 

[wcm100690]

Looking for free VN advice.

Doing a 5x9 bathroom remodel. Going to peel it down to studs and subflooring and redo it all.

That said, I am hiring electrical, plumbing, people etc. to do the work. Licensed, bonded people.

I got a building permit from the city of Knoxville but find myself a little confused just on this part. So website says I also need separate permits for each thing like electrical, plumbing, etc.

So if my building permit is permit A32 as example do they just tag on an electrical permit as A32-1 for example? And do I have to actually get that permit? Or when I hire an electrical professional he has the ability to do the work and list it under my building permit?

Any info appreciated.

Currently remodeling our entire home. We went with a general contractor because of the size of the project plus adding on some square footage. I think it all depends on what and how much you are willing to handle yourself. Having the GC has definitely saved us a lot of headache and worry on our project.

I'll add, I think going the route with permits will be beneficial in the long run, especially if you plan to sell your home.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Why did you pull a permit for such a small job?

Speaking from personal experience selling a rental property 2-3 weeks ago, it's worth doing to prevent headaches in the future. The people got an inspection and the inspector noted that the fence repair that I did a few years back was big enough that a permit should have been pulled. The City where I sold this property (Bartlett - I bet @TBrown will back me up on this) is extremely anal about permits.

Eventually, everything got cleared up but it was more trouble than what it was worth not getting the permit.

 

[hog88]

Speaking from personal experience selling a rental property 2-3 weeks ago, it's worth doing to prevent headaches in the future. The people got an inspection and the inspector noted that the fence repair that I did a few years back was big enough that a permit should have been pulled. The City where I sold this property (Bartlett - I bet @TBrown will back me up on this) is extremely anal about permits.

Eventually, everything got cleared up but it was more trouble than what it was worth not getting the permit.

I've heard nightmares about what requires a permit in Memphis and the surrounding areas.

 

[allvol123]

Currently remodeling our entire home. We went with a general contractor because of the size of the project plus adding on some square footage. I think it all depends on what and how much you are willing to handle yourself. Having the GC has definitely saved us a lot of headache and worry on our project.

I'll add, I think going the route with permits will be beneficial in the long run, especially if you plan to sell your home.

Are you in the Knoxville area? Just wondering who you are using.

I had one GC quote the 2 bathrooms and did not like the number. They are in high demand right now and so like everything else at the moment, able to demand higher prices.

 

[wcm100690]

Are you in the Knoxville area? Just wondering who you are using.

I had one GC quote the 2 bathrooms and did not like the number. They are in high demand right now and so like everything else at the moment, able to demand higher prices.

No, we are just outside Atlanta in Dekalb county. I know Dekalb in particular can be a pain in the rear with permitting. We're paying our contractor a nice little fee but so far it has been worth it.

I did sub out our tree removal on my own back in the winter since it could be done whenever before we started grading.

 

[Smokey X]

we recently remodeled our kitchen, a bathroom and laundry room with all new cabinets & countertops, etc.

It involved a lot of demolition and replacement of drywall or hardibacker. Demolition doesn't require a large skillset other than making sure you don't get carried away. If you have the tools for it and don't mind getting a little dirty, you can save yourself some money there.

also, since you are going to the studs/subflooring, I assume you will be going back with tile or something similar. In areas like bathrooms a good tile guy is invaluable for waterproofing as well as final appearance. Mine was willing to do whatever I didn't want to do and actually would have preferred to since he had to work with the quality of what was before him. However he had to deal with what I left for him to cover.

If I had it to do over, The bathroom and laundry room would have been tiled everywhere except the ceiling and what wasn't covered by cabinets.

 

[Orangeslice13]

I pull permits for all the jobs I do. Getting a final inspection done can be problematic. The country wants their fee but they are not that concerned with checking to see if the work Was done correctly. I’ve got tags hanging everywhere because they just won’t come do the final.

However, when you sell the house there is a question on the statement that asks if you pulled your permits. Better to have them pulled than not.

 

[Orangeslice13]

BTW. Could not pick a worse time to remodel.
7/16 osb was 8$ a sheet just over a year ago.

 

[allvol123]

BTW. Could not pick a worse time to remodel.
7/16 osb was 8$ a sheet just over a year ago. View attachment 370393

No kidding. Part of the reason I am wanting to manage it myself.