It's the time of year when gardeners across America are prepping their yards for spring. I recently stumbled upon a neglected part of my yard. It's so full of weeds, that I'm not sure if I should completely redo the space, sick my gardener on the case, or don my iPod and tackle it myself.
There is actually groundcover in this photo. It's totally been invaded by weeds. Those little clovers are extremely difficult to eradicate. The best way to prevent them from returning is to pull out the main root. The root is difficult to find using tools, in my opinion, so I weed them by hand. It's a lot of work and your best bet is to catch the clovers quickly, if you have the time and patience.
I'm curious. How often do you weed?
Permits can be a hassle to obtain, and they aren't always required. Knowing if you need a renovation permit in advance can save you time and trouble.
Planning Your Renovation Ensure that you address all aspects of your home remodeling project by drawing up a detailed renovation plan before you start. Make detailed descriptions of the changes you'd like to see done and even draw a rough sketch. Doing this will allow you to see all of the work that will go into your home makeover, and help make certain that you obtain all of the necessary building permits before you begin. This will prevent drawbacks and other frustrations when you are in the midst of the project.
Who Needs a Permit? The rules for remodeling permits are different from town to town. Generally speaking, smaller projects that do not alter the shape or footprint of your house will not always require a permit. Larger projects that alter the structure of your home or require electrical, mechanical or plumbing work will need a permit.
You will probably need a permit if you intend to:
Conversely, you might not need a permit if you want to:
Run your remodeling plans by your local building office, as some towns mandate permits even for small renovations, depending on local regulations.
Building Permits and Inspections Once you've determined whether or not you need a permit (or multiple permits), your interaction with the building department or permitting office is by no means complete. After your permit applications are approved you must contact an inspector to review the site of your renovation. The inspector will view the property before the renovation begins, and may even stop by throughout the duration to ensure that everything is progressing according to plan. When your renovation is finished, you will need the final approval of the building inspector.
A building inspector may appear if he gets wind of a project that does not have the necessary business or home addition permits.