If you are wondering whether or not you need a foundation repair permit in Seattle, you are in luck! This Regional Foundation Repair guide will answer the following questions:
- Why Should You Get a Permit for Foundation Repair in Seattle?
- How Do You Obtain a Foundation Repair Permit in Seattle?
- What is the Cost of Obtaining a Permit in Seattle?
And much more! For homeowners, foundation-related issues are one of the worst problems to have and necessitate swift action. However, on most occasions, the costs and time involved cause homeowners to look the other way, hoping the problems will go away by themselves. The result is the continued deterioration of the foundation and the issues spreading to other areas of the home, becoming even more difficult and expensive to fix. There are numerous signs that your foundation might need some fixing which you need to be on the lookout for.
Some of these signs are conspicuous, while others are subtle and harder to notice. If you are in doubt, reach out to professionals such as Regional Foundation Repair and we will schedule a free inspection to determine the state of your home. Before commencing any foundation repair works, you must check whether your city requires a building permit for foundation repair.
Regional Foundation contractors handle everything, including dealing directly with the city if construction permits are a necessity. When you work with us, you can relax and let us take care of everything. This guide discusses construction permits in the city of Seattle as pertaining to foundation repair.
Why Should You Get a Permit for Foundation Repair in Seattle?
For foundation repair works in Seattle, a construction permit is essential, and there are numerous benefits to getting city-approved permits for the repairs. Without a permit, city officials can step in and halt the project at any time. You can also be subjected to hefty fines for non-compliance, which can be as much as $500 per day. This can set you back a couple of bucks and greatly inconvenience you. So, what are some of the benefits of having your foundation repairs approved by King County officials?
Increase Resale Value
If you decide to sell your home or even if you are just trying to get a new appraisal, only works done with valid structural permits can be included in the appraisal value of your home. Evaluators will inquire about any repairs or improvements done to the house and if they have documented permits. Unpermitted repairs are not recognized and do not add any value to your home. Therefore, you should have all repairs and improvements done to your home permitted to ensure that your home’s value increases with any work done.
Avoid Problems with Authorities
Any repair works that are done without a construction permit can be halted at any time by city officials. Unpermitted works are not recognized by the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI). Officials can issue a stop-work order in the middle of your building project and can even fine you harshly for non-compliance. By obtaining a Seattle permit, you can avoid the inconveniences of your project being delayed and even lawsuits filed against you.
City Permitted Work is Safe and Insured
Along with documenting the increased value of your home, city permits ensure that the foundation repair works done in your Seattle home are up to code, safe, and of excellent quality. Insurance covers are also available for permitted works only. If you come across contractors who are offering lower bids to do the repairs, and they claim a permit is not necessary because the work done is little, avoid them at all costs. These contractors often do not have your best interests at heart. Regional Foundation Repair contractors ensure that all foundation repair plans are city approved and permitted before any repairs commence.
Avoid Extra Costs
If you have unpermitted repairs done to your property’s foundation, you may be forced to demolish later and have permitted works done. Not only is this inconvenient but costly as well. You will lose time and money in the process and end up paying way more than you would have if you took the right approach from the beginning. It is also required by law that any repairs done previously must be duly declared to prospective buyers during any house sale. If a buyer realizes that there were repairs done that lacked proper documentation, they may take legal action against you. We save you the hassle, time and money in the long run by sorting out all permits and approvals with the city officials.
How Do You Obtain a Foundation Repair Permit in Seattle?
When trying to obtain a building permit for foundation repair in the City of Seattle, you might notice that the process is not as straightforward as other jurisdictions in the region. The application also often takes longer to process when compared to other cities. The following is a breakdown of the process of obtaining a foundation repair license in Seattle.
Research
The first step to acquiring a permit in Seattle is to conduct research and find out any property information that will help you plan your project. The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) have codes to determine any restrictions to your project such as building size limits, construction zones, and safety limits. When undertaking the research, you can look for information concerning zoning and environmental critical areas using the GIS map. While researching, you will also need to determine whether stormwater requirements apply to your project so that you can submit a complete and accurate application. You may also find out if you need a land-use permit, especially if your project is a multi-family unit. Land use permits take longer (usually 4 to 8 months-or longer) to review, and they must be submitted before handing in your construction permit application if they are deemed necessary for your project.
Commence Permit Application
After you complete the Building and Land Use pre-application online through the Seattle Services Portal, you will be required to upload a site plan and a comprehensive legal description of your site. If your project will utilize more than 750 square feet or disturb any environmentally critical area then you will need to schedule a pre-application site visit. During the application, if your site is located in an environmentally critical area or near the shoreline, then you can apply for exemptions. Small projects are also eligible for waivers, which you can apply for. Afterwards, you should prepare site plans that are to scale and easy to read. You will then be required to fill out application forms, depending on your permit type, project type and scope. There are other agencies that you may need permits or approvals from, and you must coordinate with them at this stage.
Submit Plans for Screening
As you submit your engineered plans through the Applicant Services Center, the plans and applications are screened to make sure that they are ready for submission. Once your plans have been screened, you will need to schedule an electronic intake appointment through the portal. It is mandatory that all application documents are uploaded by 7:00 a.m. on the day of your appointment. The Seattle officials usually take in your application within 2-3 weeks after you upload your complete application. In Seattle, most permits require a few cycles of jurisdictional review and plan revisions. An initial review is conducted and comments are issued in regards to plan revisions or any additional information. Most projects require 1-3 rounds of reviews and comments. You may be required to revise the plans and resubmit them for another review. Once all the reviews are done, you will receive an email informing you that your plan has been approved, at which point, you will be required to pay a percentage of the permit fees (often 75 percent).
Permit Issuance
You will receive a notification from the Seattle officials to pay any final fees before the issuance of your permit. Once all plans have been approved and all fees paid, you will be notified when your permit and approved plans are available in the Seattle Services Portal for printing. After printing your permit, you will be required to place it in a visible location on the project site. You may also need to get additional permits or approvals from other departments relating to your project. Your permit is usually valid for 18 months after the issue date, and if your project is taking longer than that, then you will need to apply for a renewal.
What is the Cost of Obtaining a Permit in Seattle?
In Seattle, determining the overall cost of obtaining your permit is not as forthright as in other cities. The total cost for your permit is determined by several factors such as the size and complexity of your project, the value of the work you are doing, any additional permits required for your project, inspection fees, and the duration it takes to review your application and plans. The SDCI Fee Estimator Worksheet enables you to calculate how much the total fees sum up to, and on several occasions, you will pay approximately 75 percent of your permit fees at intake. However, if your project qualifies for a Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) permit, you will only need to pay 40 percent of the plan review fees. Ensure that you provide detailed information for the best estimate of your permit costs.
