APRIL 15, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 16
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
O n l i n e a t w w w. A m e s Tr i b . c o m / r e a l e s t a t e w e e k l y
FREEPIK.COM
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 15, 2020
WHEN YOU NEED A
PERMIT By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
T
Types, costs of permits
What needs a permit While most contractors will know what permits are needed, it can be confusing for homeowners. “The real issue comes when it’s time to sell the house; if there’s a major upgrade and there was no inspection done so the house doesn’t have a record of the change, that’s when there could be an issue,” Miguelez said. Projects that go beyond simple repairs or aesthetic upgrades — such as adding supporting walls or taking down load-bearing walls, roof replacement or adding a deck, pool or concrete driveway — are all examples of projects that would require permits, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Smaller or cosmetic upgrades such as changing a sink, faucet or light fixture, painting, carpeting, adding wall decorations or repairing something that already exists often don’t require permits, Miguelez said. Obtaining a permit protects a homeowner’s investment in the property. “You need a permit if you make a big change or upgrade and you intend to sell because without that record you may need to have it ripped out and done again,” Miguelez said. Permitting varies depending on location. “Some towns have very forgiving inspectors, others will insist on opening a wall to look at what’s inside. You really can’t know, so if you plan on making a big change, you need to call your town hall and find out what’s required,” Miguelez said. “In Massachusetts, for example, you need a grid drain in a vessel sink, but in Rhode Island, you don’t. However, in Rhode Island, you need a different P-trap than nearly any other state. “You can’t find these things out unless you ask, so always check and if it needs a permit, get one.”
Every town or city will have its own list of required building permits. According to Fixr, general permit types may include: • Demolition, $200 • Alterations and repairs, $200 to $500 depending on scope of job • Swimming pool, $260 • New home construction, $1,000 to $2,000 • New green construction, $1,000 to $2,000
here may be trouble down the line if you think you can get away without pulling a permit for a home improvement or remodeling project. Some projects need a permit and others don’t. It’s best to check ahead. Permits can be annoying, but they are there for safety reasons to make sure work done is up to code, said Cristina Miguelez, remodeling specialist at Fixr, an online marketplace for home remodeling services. A permit will help keep a project safe from potential issues such as structural damage, fire hazards and health risks. For example, the correct permitting can assure a pressure balancing valve beneath a standalone tub filler is installed properly so no one gets burned, she said. When a permit is filed local government will inspect completed work to ensure it complies with health and safety codes. “In most cases to get a permit you need a detailed plan,” Miguelez said. “You could be turned down because what you submitted wasn’t detailed enough, or didn’t have the right parts, such as that grid drain or special P-trap. Sometimes you can hire a contractor to submit the plans for you, which can help you get approved.” Homeowners often don’t want to wait for approval or to spend the money on a permit. Others may not be aware permits are needed for smaller projects. “You really can’t know unless you do the research,” Miguelez said. “Yes, it’s annoying, but it’s better to do it right the first time than risk having to do it twice because you tried to bypass the law.”
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PLANTING
love
Indoor garden rooms are havens for relaxation, nurturing
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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ouseplants and indoor garden rooms are having a moment, probably thanks to the lush looks posted to social media accounts. “I think as people continue to look for ways to escape hectic lives and try to find a place to unwind, garden rooms will continue to grow in popularity,” said Amy Enfield, spokeswoman for Bonnie Plants. “They are a great place to unwind, tend to plants regardless of the weather outside and destress. For people who live in parts of the country where the winters are long, it allows them to grow plants year-round, and not just houseplants.” The indoor gardening trend has been growing for the last five-plus years in a way that can be compared to the enthusiasm for houseplants seen in the ’70s, said Shane Pliska, president of Planterra, a West Bloomfield, Michigan-based interior landscape firm that provides plants to workplaces throughout the United States and Canada. The difference
now is that people are using them as a design element, Pliska said. ‘Became a lifestyle’ “Millennials are especially involved with houseplants and exotics,” said Megan Wages, owner of Fancy Free Nursery in Tampa, Florida. “People started greening their spaces, which grew into the parenting of houseplants. What started as indoor plant styling became a lifestyle.” Plants are something to come home to, to care about, to love. “First of all, plants are beautiful,” said Kerbi Howat, owner of Flora plant shops in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. “There are different sizes, shapes and structures that can complement the desired aesthetic for a space. Additionally, studies have shown that plants improve air quality, boost creativity and focus, and simply make people happy. There is also a therapeutic element to caring for your own plants and watching them grow.”
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 15, 2020 • Page RE7
By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
H
ouseplants and indoor garden rooms are having a moment, probably thanks to the lush looks posted to social media accounts. “I think as people continue to look for ways to escape hectic lives and try to find a place to unwind, garden rooms will continue to grow in popularity,” said Amy Enfield, spokeswoman for Bonnie Plants. “They are a great place to unwind, tend to plants regardless of the weather outside and destress. For people who live in parts of the country where the winters are long, it allows them to grow plants yearround, and not just houseplants.” The indoor gardening trend has been growing for the last five-plus years in a way that can
be compared to the enthusiasm for houseplants seen in the ’70s, said Shane Pliska, president of Planterra, a West Bloomfield, Michigan-based interior landscape firm that provides plants to workplaces throughout the United States and Canada. The difference now is that people are using them as a design element, Pliska said. ‘Became a lifestyle’ “Millennials are especially involved with houseplants and exotics,” said Megan Wages, owner of Fancy Free Nursery in Tampa, Florida. “People started greening their spaces, which grew into the parenting of houseplants. What started as indoor plant styling became a lifestyle.” Plants are something to come home to, to care about, to love. “First of all, plants are beautiful,”
said Kerbi Howat, owner of Flora plant shops in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. “There are different sizes, shapes and structures that can complement the desired aesthetic for a space. Additionally, studies have shown that plants improve air quality, boost creativity and focus, and simply make people happy. There is also a therapeutic element to caring for your own plants and watching them grow.” Considerations Before giving this trend a try, think about what you want in your garden room, how you will use the room and what plants to grow, Enfield said. “Do you want a tropical paradise or have access to fresh herbs and veggies year-round?” she asked. Consider light, temperature, humidity and airflow.
Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Apr il 15, 2020