Do I need a building permit, to move a door? Well a little more!?

Question

OK Just bought my own house and i have a sliding glass door. And then I have about 17 feet of wall with 2 windows. I want to switch it around and put the windows where the door is and the door where the windows are. Do I need a permit to do this? Another thing is do I need a permit to switch out the sliding door for a French door? The problem I'm having is without moving the door I would walk straight into living room from the kitchen then get behind my couches to get into the dining room. If I could move the doors down the wall it would make more sense.

Answer 1

First and foremost you need to call your local building department to see whether you need a permit or not. Each town's building dept. is a little different. Don't find out the hard way with a penalty fee for doing work without a permit (neighbors sometimes blow the whistle). Ask to speak to a framing inspector when you call in.

Answer 2

To change doors and windows you dont need a permit but to move doors and windows you. If any structural modifications are made to your new house .

Permits are there to keep contractors honest and to make sure they are skilled fro the $75 you would spend on the permit you get the drawing checked the work inspected and make sure the contractor has insurance and sign a detailed contract. its not very hard to move a door but if you cut corners on the move you can cause hugh amounts of damage to your new house. Anyone who is reputable will not argue with getting permits it covers our *** as a contractor as well.

Answer 3

If you know what you are doing then don't waste your time and money. Be sure you know about door headers verse window headers or you will have structure problems.  As far as switching doors, no you don't need a permit.