Edmonton, St Albert, & Area RE/MAX Real Estate Professional

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010!!! I hope everyone had a good holiday season.

I used to be someone who didn’t worry about getting a permit from the city for new installations in my home. I am fussy about it being done right and I figured I didn’t need to spend the time, effort, and money when I knew it was done safely.

I was wrong for a few reasons.

The requirement to get permits not only protects you but it also protects others who come into your home, and subsequent owners of your home. Is this important you say? You betcha!

For example, a home I had in North Edmonton didn’t have any power to the detached garage when I bought it, so I had a licensed electrician come in and do it (to a higher standard than what the building code requires). He said don’t bother with a permit. Well, a while later I decided it’s best I should get a permit. The inspector from the city was, quite rightly, not very happy everything was done and buried. Also, the permit cost me twice as much, as a just punishment for not doing it in the first place. Lesson learned.

Here are a few more reasons to get the permit first:

- a friend of mine is have a problem with his insurance company not paying for water-damage from a burst pipe in his fully-finished basement. They say the work was not permitted by the City of Edmonton, so they aren't going to pay!

- permits help to ensure the work is done to a safe and acceptable standard for everyone’s safety.

- permits are kept on file with the city, so if there are any future questions about them you can consult the city planning and development office to see what permits were taken out.

Information on Permits can be found at:

For the City of Edmonton,  you can go to: http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licences/licences-permits.aspx

For the City of St. Albert you can go to: http://www.stalbert.ca/development-permits

In my opinion, getting the permit for whatever work you are doing or having done, just makes sense. Please do the research on what permits are required, before you start the work.

If you have any comments or input, please feel free to comment.

Ben Officer, CD   REALTOR®

RE/MAX Real Estate