Aging Friendly’ Improvements for Most Every Home Remodeling Project
remodeled our home, we added an office above the garage. A few of the features we added were done “just in case” the space ever needed to become an apartment for one of our parents. That option became a reality after my father passed away and my mother moved in, adding us to the nation’s growing ranks of multigenerational households.
The conversion from an office space to my mom’s new residence was certainly easier due to the pre-planning for the original remodel. For instance, I included a full bath with a shower instead of just a half bath that’s normally needed for an office. At the time, the additional cost of the shower was minimal compared with the difficulty and expense involved of adding a shower later.
I had also added a wet bar for coffee and refreshments. But in addition to installing the sink and a small refrigerator, I ran an electrical cable that was sized to accommodate a future kitchen range.
Another consideration was to ensure that we met the building code requirements for a bedroom, which includes having a smoke detector and proper emergency egress. These added features were unnecessary if the room was being exclusively used as an office. Including them in the project added very little to the initial cost. Modifying the space later, though, might have been prohibitively pricey.
The conversion from office to a comfortable and private apartment was completed in about three weeks — but all wasn’t perfect and without regrets. By creating a home within my home for my mother I learned how my thinking ahead worked well, and not well enough.
Electrical Permits
Am electrical permit is required if any owner or authorized agent plans to…
erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical system the installation of which is regulated by the Kentucky Building and Electrical Codes
cause any such work to be done
Owners or authorized agents should make an applications to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Examples that would require an electrical permit:
Adding a new circuit and/or wiring for appliances such as an air conditioner or sump pump
Installing and/or adding receptacles or light fixtures where one did not exist before
Installing and/or adding a new electrical panel and breakers
Restoring power after it has been interrupted because of a hazardous condition or disconnected longer than one year
Inspections Required
Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.
Things to remember about Electrical Permits
A homeowner may obtain a permit if he/she is performing the work on their own home, and the home is the owner’s primary residence for the next 12 months. Otherwise a licensed electrician is required for obtaining electrical permits.
It is the permit holders responsibility to insure the site is accessible for inspection. If the inspector cannot gain entry the applicant may be charged an additional inspection fee.
The penalty for starting electrical work prior to obtaining a permit is $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for any subsequent offenses.
HOW TO DEVELOP A HOME REMODEL TIMELINE AND BUDGET
By far one of the most important yet tedious parts of planning a major remodel is developing a timeline and a budget. Then comes the really difficult part; actually sticking to either one!
When we first started planning our project, I had no idea where to start. I didn’t have a clue how much anything cost or how long each process would take. I took careful notes throughout the entire home remodeling process so I could share what we learned with all of you!
First, I’ll share with you our general timeline so you can see how long each part of the process took, but be aware that much of this is dependent on the schedule of your sub-contractors and may change if when you encounter any problems.
After we talk about home renovation timelines, I’ll share with you our construction and remodel budget so you can see where all the money went. Yes, this is our REAL budget!
If you’re just joining us, be sure to check out this post on how I inherited this house, and this post on how to begin planning a remodel.
ELECTRICAL REMODELING
Take a minute and think about all of the appliances in your home. While the source of their power is hidden from view, the reality is that they all require large amounts of electricity to function. It’s impossible to tell if your electrical system is sufficient simply by looking at it, but the dangers associated with outdated systems are diverse and far reaching.
As a homeowner, it is up to you to be proactive in ensuring your electrical system is up to the current standards, so if you aren’t sure, or you’ve experienced things consistent with an outdated system
IS YOUR WIRING SAFE? DOES IT NEED A REMODEL?
Your home is your castle, and you should feel confident you and your family are safe. This is accomplished in many ways, including electrical remodeling. It ensures that you can rest easy knowing the wiring of your Miamihome is up to code.
It can be hard to know if the wiring in your home is sufficient, because it is hidden out of sight. Without the trained eye of a skilled electrician, you may never know how outdated your electrical system is. An outdated system is more than just an annoyance—it puts you at risk for constant power outages and even electrical fires. Protect your home and its inhabitants, and have your system remodeled today.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Nothing is more heartbreaking than a disaster that could have been avoided, especially those involving serious injuries or deaths. The majority of electrical house fires can be avoided through electrical remodeling where the wiring is properly maintained
OLD HOUSE REWIRING
There’s no part of your home that’s more important than its electrical wiring, and keeping your electrical wiring system in great shape is one of your biggest concerns. If your home has wiring that’s old or outdated, it can cause a variety of serious problems with your home’s electrical system. Not only will it cause frustrating power losses and problems with circuits, but can also be very dangerous, and it might even lead to something as terrible as a house fire. You should contact an electrical contractor experienced in old house rewiring
Removal and Replacement of Outdated Wiring
If you live in an older house and haven’t replaced the wiring, chances are it needs to be done. Homes built even as recently as the 1980s may not be up to today’s modern standards. With so many more devices and appliances being regularly used than ever before, the electrical needs of most homes have grown tremendously even in the last ten years.
Older wiring won’t be able to handle the amount of electricity that is used in modern homes, and it can deteriorate until it becomes a problem. You’ll start notice nuisances like blown fuses, or you may encounter dangerous electrical wiring. Plus, if you’re considering putting your house on the market, older electrical wiring may not pass inspections.
Warning Signs
If you don’t know whether or not you should have the electrical wiring in your home replaced, look out for these warning signs
If circuits break and fuses blow often, then you should have your wiring inspected.
If you don’t have an outlet every six to eight feet in your home, you probably don’t have adequate wiring.
Your wiring appears to be cracked, deteriorated, or falling apart.
Your wiring is black. Newer electrical wiring uses PVC materials and is usually white or gray.