Do You Need a Permit for Foundation Repair in Fort Worth?

If you are planning foundation repairs for your Fort Worth home, then you may be wondering about permits.

Well, you came to the right place!

In this Regional Foundation Repair guide, we will answer questions such as:

• Is a Permit Necessary for Foundation Repair in Fort Worth?
• How Much Does a Foundation Repair Permit Cost in Fort Worth?
• How Do You Obtain a Foundation Repair Permit in Fort Worth?

And much more!

Foundation problems are a property owner’s worst nightmare and should always get sorted out as soon as possible before they worsen and cause severe structural damage to the building.

Some sure signs that your home might need some foundation repair works are cracks on the wall and sinking of the structure.

It is imperative that before any work commences, you check if your city requires a permit for foundation repair works. This is to prevent your construction from getting halted by the authorities and to keep you from incurring hefty fines, which could be as high as $500 per day.

When you hire reputable contractors such as Regional Foundation Repair, you can relax and let us handle everything for you, including the processing of permits where required.

For an estimate of how much your foundation repair project will cost you, fill in the form provided and our specialists will send you a free no-obligation price quote.

We can also schedule a free inspection with one of your structural engineers to determine the extent of the problem and recommend the most suitable solution for you.

By the end of this comprehensive guide, you will know everything concerning foundation repair permits in Fort Worth and much more.

Is a Permit Necessary for Foundation Repair in Fort Worth?

The short answer to this is, yes. The majority of Texas cities including Dallas, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Plano, Garland, Richardson and Fort Worth require a permit for foundation repair. Without a permit, city officials can halt the project at any time, and you can also be fined for non-compliance.

Your project can be halted for several days or even more than a week while the permit is being processed, which will be a great inconvenience especially for commercial projects.

You should hire expert foundation repair contractors such as Regional Foundation Repair. We will deal with the city council directly and make prior arrangements to obtain the license in advance before any work commences.

We also handle all the submittals and plan reviews required for your Fort Worth permits. We understand that part of our job is ensuring that you relax while we take care of everything else and offer value for your money.

How Much Does a Foundation Repair Permit Cost in Fort Worth?

Some cities charge a flat fee for foundation repair permits, while others base the cost on the overall price of the foundation repair project.

In the Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex, the majority of the foundation repair permit fees range between $50 and $300 for residential buildings. For more complex structures that might require specialized work such as commercial buildings, the permit fees can go up to $2,000.

The price can go up depending on the size of the structure, and for additional services. For instance, if the foundation repair is done in an area where there is plumbing, then it is mandatory for a static (leak) test to be conducted on the sewer lines.

Prices for static tests range from $250 to $500 and can be done from the inside or outside of a home.

Generally, for normal foundation repair works, obtaining city permits for foundation repair will not cost you as much as the fines for noncompliance would.

How Do You Obtain a Foundation Repair Permit in Fort Worth?

The process of obtaining a permit is often handled on behalf of the client if you hire competent foundation repair contractors such as Regional Foundation Repair.

It is important to note that while every city has its own process, most have similar requirements.

If you are wondering what it takes to get a foundation repair permit in Dallas, Fort Worth, then here is a step by step process for obtaining it.

Obtain Initial Structural Engineer’s Report

Get hold of an initial structural engineer’s report which meets the city’s required International Residential Code (IRC code).

Only engineer certified plans are eligible for approval and recommendation for a foundation repair permit. We have our own certified engineers, which will save you the extra time and resources you would have to spend to obtain one yourself.

Submit Your Application Online

Apply for the permit. Depending on the permit application, you may be required to apply online or drop off the application in person.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, all permits may be applied for online. Some cities release the permit on the same day, while others may take up to10 business days before approval.

Obtain a Follow-up Structural Engineer’s Report

Obtain a final structural engineer’s report to show that all repairs were completed in a proper manner as recommended. This report is often used to close off the city permit.

Get Post Construction Inspections and Tests

Find out the type of inspections that are required after the completion of the foundation repair works. Some cities require that an open hole inspection be done while others require the permit to be posted and a final walkthrough done.

If it is a requirement, you may need to conduct a static (leak) test to ensure that the plumbing does not have any leaks after the foundation is lifted.

City permits help confirm that your foundation repairs are done correctly and are up to standard. Without proper documentation, foundation repair can be halted and can also cost you a hefty fine.

Foundation repair companies must provide proof of insurance and must be registered with the city in order to obtain a foundation repair permit. Therefore, not anyone can obtain the permit unless you are a registered and insured foundation repair contractor like Regional Foundation Repair.

Do You Need an Engineer’s Report to Get a Permit in Fort Worth?

If the city requires foundation repair permits, then yes; an engineer’s report must be submitted as well.

For a contractor to get the permit to make repairs, it is a must that when they apply for the permit then a structural engineer’s report is submitted as well.

An application for a foundation repair permit cannot be approved without a structural engineer certifying the plans and preparing an initial report. Because an engineer’s report is not free, this charge is usually included in the final quote by the contractor.

If the quote from your foundation repair contractor does not include charges for a city permit or an initial engineer’s report, then you should ask them why they are omitted. On the other hand, final engineer’s reports are handled as separate entities and bear their own separate costs.

It is always important that you inquire about all these issues before commencing repairs to avoid unpleasant surprises once the works begin.

Which Repairs Do Not Require a Permit?

The building code allows some work to be done without having to obtain a permit. Even though the permit is not a mandatory requirement, the work must comply with the code.

The majority of these repair works are those done in single-family dwellings. For apartments, condominiums and commercial projects, some of the repair works mentioned might require a permit.

Ordinary repairs and improvements that do not require permits include, but are not limited to:

• Painting the interior or exterior of a dwelling or other separate buildings.
• Cabinet installation and refurbishment.
• Repairing or replacing handrails on a porch or deck.
• Repairing drywall, plaster, sliding, re-roofing/ shingles, etc.
• Installing new floor coverings, such as carpet, vinyl or hardwood.
• Deck or porch flooring that has to be repaired or replaced. A permit may be necessary for construction repairs or replacements, as well as the installation of posts and guard systems.
• Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts.
• Installing or replacing doors and windows, including storm windows, where no structural change is performed.
• Adding insulation.
• Construction or installing a storage shed, playhouse etc.556 square feet or less in area.
• Installing a security alarm system. If the alarm system is monitored and notifies the police department, then a permit might be a requirement to receive a police response.
• Construction of recreational equipment, such as skateboard ramps, swings, jungle gyms, among others.
• Replacing plumbing fixtures, such as sinks, faucets, toilets, etc.
• Replacing electrical fixtures, such as switches and receptacles.
• Replacing electric cooktop stoves, ranges and dryers.
• Changing out an electric water heater with a new one.
• Retaining walls that retain less than 36 inches of fill or earth.

It is good practice to find out which works require permits and those that do not require permits in order to avoid inconveniences later on.

When Do You Need a Floodplain Management Office (FMO) Review in Fort Worth?

The Floodplain Management Group, also known as the Floodplain Management Office maintains databases used to protect property from floods and reviews applications to build or remodel in the floodplain.

The group provides residents flood information related to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), including flood zones, base flood elevations (BFEs) and the possible presence of floodways.

The city of Fort Worth is blessed by rivers and streams, making it one of the most amazing areas to work and live in. Floodplains and adjacent waters form complex physical and biological systems that provide open space areas for parks, bike paths and wildlife conservation.

Any developments within Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) designated floodplains and flood-prone areas require a Floodplain Permit before any work commences.

The floodplain permit is basically free. However, it may require additional information indicating that adjacent property owners will not be adversely impacted by the development.

A Floodplain permit is mandatory prior to any works or developments in the floodplain, including the placement of fill. The finished floor level (FFL) of new homes constructed in a flood plain must be at least two feet above the base flood elevation.

Before submitting any documents to FEMA, County Floodplain Administrators will review the documents to ensure that they comply with the County’s floodplain regulations. FEMA may require additional information for their records and review, and their approval may be a condition of a Fort Worth County Floodplain Permit approval.

A permit will only be issued after DFW County officials determine that the proposed work will not have any adverse impact on adjacent homeowners, will not decrease the flood-carrying capacity of the watercourse, and will not create a situation that is dangerous in the event of flooding.

The Fort Worth Floodplain Management Group also provides advice and assistance on retrofitting techniques, such as elevating buildings above flood levels or Base Flood Elevation (BFE), dry flood proofing and wet flood proofing.

How Can a Foundation Repair Expert Help?

Essentially, it is the foundation repair contractor’s responsibility to secure the permit on behalf of the client. In Fort Worth, it is a requirement that building permit applicants are registered building contractors with proof of insurance.

If the application is not submitted by a foundation repair company, the applicant must meet the requirements for a homestead permit.

These include working on a building owned and occupied by them solely as their primary residence as demonstrated by either a homestead exemption granted by the appraisal district.

Repairs with valid structural permits are the only ones included in the assessment of your house if you want to sell it or even just seek a fresh appraisal.

If you choose Regional Foundation Repair as your contractor, you can rest assured that all the repairs are approved by the city, meaning that your home’s value will increase with the repairs and improvements made.

If you have plans to sell your home, the foundation is among the first things that any inspectors will check. If they notice any repairs done on the foundation, they will definitely ask for documentation and permits that show who undertook the project, when it was done and whether it was city-approved or not. Any house sale must include declarations regarding repairs, which must be duly given to prospective buyers.

Any unpermitted works can be detrimental to the potential sale of your home and can lead to even more expenses. If potential buyers find out that the repair works done to your foundation lack proper documentation and the required permits, they can use this as leverage over you during negotiation or they can even pursue legal action after the sale.

At Regional Foundation Repair, we save you time, hassle, and money in the long run, allowing you to focus on other important matters.

If you happen to come across a contractor who claims that because it is a small repair, then it does not need a permit, this is clearly a red flag.

If these contractors offer you a lower bid that excludes a city-approved permit, then this is a sign that you should not work with them. By offering a lower bid, they undercut other bids but they do not have your best interest at heart.

City permits exist for a reason and are important for several reasons. Apart from documenting the increased value of your home, they also ensure that the foundation repair work done is both safe (up to code) and effective.

At Regional Foundation Repair, our clients are our top priority, and we guarantee safety and value for the money paid. Because of this, we ensure that we have city permitted and approved foundation repair plans.

Regional Foundation Repair specializes in everything foundation repair. We repair your foundations and even upgrade them to current standards, in the process increasing the value of your home by more than the costs of repair.

Contact us today and let us handle the foundation repair works for you. We stand by our repairs and offer a lifetime warranty for all repair works done. You can relax and let us do everything for you with the assurance that all is in order including permits and documentation.

Read More Foundation Repair Guides

• Are Helical Piers The Right Fix For Your Foundation?
• Basement Survey: Hopes, Fears, Trends, and More
• Can A Sinking Foundation Be Fixed?
• Cities With the Best and Worst Rated HOAs, According to Yelp
• Common Foundation Problems in Ft. Worth
• Common Foundation Problems in Houston
• Concrete Leveling Cost
• Concrete Slab Foundation
• Do Cracked Bricks Mean You Have A Foundation Problem?

Sam Smith Foundation Repair Consultant

SHORT BIO: Hey, I'm Sam Smith. I'm one of our service techs here at Regional Foundation Repair. I'm here to help you learn more about your home's foundation. I've been doing this for a while, so I have a few insider tips and tricks to share!