Get a permit before installing a bathroom

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Q: Hi, Ed. I do all my own work and have a question about a half bathroom that I want to install in my basement. I'm using an original pre-plumbed utility area for the location of the new bathroom, but I have some concerns. The electrical panel, furnace and water heater are all in this space as well. How close can I install plumbing fixtures, walls and doors next to all this equipment? The area is very small. -- Guy in NebraskaA: Guy, listen to me very carefully. Stop right now and consult your local building inspector. Contractors are not the only ones who need to pull building permits. Handy homeowners need to pull permits for the job as well.This brings up another question that comes up quite often: When should a homeowner pull a permit? I once asked a local inspector that question and his response was: "Anything other than painting and/or wallpapering required a permit in his area." So, it's safe to say that installing a new bathroom in your basement should require a permit.You must realize that permits and inspectors help the homeowner. If you plan to sell your house, having all the paperwork and permits for any additions you installed can actually bring in a higher price. A home inspector will then know that everything added on was done to local building codes. So, keep the permits on file.Anyway, getting back to your bathroom, if you proceed without meeting with your building inspector you may create a potential disaster. With all existing utilities you need to worry about ventilation, clearances, electrical-panel regulations and future access to service the equipment, just to name a few. A floor plan will be needed to bring to the inspector a layout of the proposed bathroom and location of all the utilities. The inspector can then tell you the codes and regulations you need to follow.I must warn you that there may be a chance your building permit is denied. In that case, consider yourself lucky that you didn't try to "sneak in" a bathroom without a permit. It's better to be safe than sorry!Q: Hi, Ed. We could use you right now. My husband and I are in the process of closing on a condo and we hit a roadblock. The inspector found a broken diverter valve in the tub/shower, so water only comes out of the tub spout. Per our appraiser, we cannot close on the house until this is fixed by a licensed plumber. But the present homeowner does not have the money to call in a plumber. We have tried calling local plumbers ourselves, but it seems they cannot come out in the needed time frame. What can we do? -- Linda in DelawareA: Sorry, Linda, but there is a delay from when I receive questions to when I can write the column, so I hope things worked out for you. I'm writing this for anyone else in a position where you need to get a plumber pronto. Remember, money motivates people and many plumbing companies have set themselves up as emergency response plumbers. You will pay a premium for this service, but when you need a plumber fast, you can get one. So, look for emergency plumbers in your area or tell the standard smaller plumbing companies you call that this is an emergency and you are willing to pay an emergency rate. This may sound somewhat unfair to the consumer, but because of liability insurance, truck expenses and material stock that small plumbing companies have to maintain, there is usually no other choice than to raise rates for emergency work.(Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call" and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. For information visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande(at)hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com.)