11 Secrets All Contractors Wish First-Time Home Buyers Knew About

Permits can take time

As a prospective home buyer, it’s easy to get carried away with visions of grandeur. Home renovation projects like a new patio, garage, or addition involves permits first and the process could be as quick as a few days or weeks, depending on the project and your city’s specifications. “A new deck or patio, for instance, can take months if conservation and board hearings are required,” says Tom Sullivan Owner, T.M. Sullivan Construction. “Until you sign on the dotted line and the keys are in your hand, you as the homeowner, cannot pull a permit.” That means you have to close on the purchase of your home before you can even start with the paperwork, which can take weeks.