Most construction in New York City requires Department of Buildings approval and permits. Some minor alterations can be made without a work permit, painting, plastering, installation of cabinets* Replacement of plumbing fixtures, Repaving floors* Repair of non-structural roofs. Even if your next home improvement project seems minor, you may be surprised to find that it requires a permit. If your home renovations require a permit, but you don't get it, the municipal building inspector can make a stop work order on the work being done and you may receive a fine.
If you want to put your house on the market and increase its sale price, you may decide to increase the value by doing some renovations and remodeling projects. When you decide to undertake a home improvement project, you'll probably spend time considering the style, color, and whether you'll need to hire a contractor or architect. Determining if you need a building permit for your home remodeling project can be difficult, because permitting departments often frustrate homeowners' attempts to set rules. Cosmetic improvements such as painting, decking at a certain height, installing new cabinets, placing new countertops, adding a fan for the whole house, repairing the driveway, building a small fence and more can be achieved without requiring permits.
You don't need to get a permit, but you must have a licensed home improvement contractor to do so.
