How to decide if you need a permit

In Terre Haute and the rest of Vigo County, you generally need a building permit for any home improvement project that involves structural framing, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, or the exterior weather barrier. Cosmetic work such as painting, trim, or swapping a faucet in the same location usually doesn’t require approval. The gray area comes with layout changes. Moving a gas line, sink, or load-bearing wall can trigger plan review and extra inspections. When uncertain, it’s best to check first; the right permit protects resale value, proves code compliance, and prevents appraisal delays.

Quick rule of thumb: if the work will be covered by tile, drywall, or siding, or it affects life-safety systems like egress, wiring, or ventilation, you should expect to need a permit and at least one rough-in and final inspection.

For permit applications, plan review checklists, and inspection scheduling in Vigo County, visit the
City of Terre Haute building permits page and the Vigo County building inspections office.

Typical permit triggers in Terre Haute (verify case-by-case):

• Bathroom remodeling with new drains or supply lines, a walk-in shower pan or waterproofing, added GFCI/AFCI circuits, or new ventilation
• Kitchen upgrades that relocate gas or plumbing, add dedicated electrical circuits, or install a ducted range hood
• Basement finishing with framed walls, egress windows, new HVAC runs, subpanel work, or added bedrooms
• Decks, porches, and additions involving footings, stairs, guardrails, or roof tie-ins
• Siding, windows, and exterior doors that disturb the weather-resistive barrier, flashing, or sheathing
• Electrical or mechanical changes such as panel upgrades, new subpanels, furnace or AC replacements that alter gas or vent runs

The sequence that keeps timelines honest

Great schedules are built before demo. Lock the scope first and keep utilities in place unless a layout move clearly improves function. Order long-lead items early (glass, semi-custom cabinets, special doors), then submit permits with simple, accurate drawings. Once core materials are staged on site, start demo and rough-ins. Book rough inspections as soon as you have target dates so finished work isn’t waiting on approvals. This protects the critical path, reduces change orders, and keeps crews moving.

A smooth project typically runs in this order:

1. Define scope and layout, confirm allowances, and freeze key selections
2. Stage materials with long lead times (glass, cabinets, custom doors, specialty fixtures)
3. Submit permits with clear drawings and specs for plan review
4. Begin demo after staging; protect areas that stay occupied
5. Complete rough-ins for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC with framing adjustments
6. Pass rough inspections before covering work; photo-document waterproofing and flashing
7. Close walls, set finishes, install fixtures, and schedule final inspection
8. Final inspection, walkthrough, punch list, and closeout with documentation

Tip: keep 1–2 days of buffer between rough-ins and finishes. If an inspector requests a correction, you won’t blow the schedule.

What inspectors actually look for

Inspectors focus on safety, durability, and code compliance. In bathrooms they look for continuous waterproofing at wet walls, correct shower pan slope, proper drain and trap configuration, and ventilation sized to room volume. In kitchens they check dedicated small-appliance circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection, clearances around ranges and hoods, and correct ducting for vented hoods. In basements they verify egress window sizing and sill height, framing anchors at the slab or foundation, smoke/CO detector placement, and mechanical clearances. For exterior work the attention is on flashing at windows and doors, house-wrap overlaps and taping, stair rise/run and landing sizes, rail/guard height, and attachment details that meet load requirements.

Rough vs. final (what changes)

• Rough: the structure is open. Inspectors check framing, box fill and wire routing, plumbing vents and traps, duct sizing and layout, nail/screw patterns, and any moisture or air-barrier details that will be concealed.
• Final: finishes are in place. Inspectors test GFCI/AFCI devices, verify ventilation CFM and terminations, confirm egress dimensions, check handrails and guards, labeling, fixtures, and overall safe operation before sign-off.

Typical timelines in our market (expect ranges, not promises)

Every house is different, but in Terre Haute these windows are realistic when materials are staged and inspections are scheduled early. These ranges assume no layout moves, standard permitting, and in-stock selections.

• Bathroom (no layout change): about 2–10 days
• Kitchen surface upgrade (no wall move): about 1–3 weeks
• Basement partial finish: about 2–6 weeks
• Deck build (rails, stairs, and size drive it): about 3–10 days
• Siding replacement (typical elevations): about 1–2 weeks

If a project runs long, the common reasons are late materials, hidden conditions discovered after demo, inspection slots booked too late, or scope changes mid-stream.

Four frequent delay drivers

1. Special-order glass, cabinets, or doors arriving after demo
2. Hidden repairs (subfloor rot, framing corrections, electrical service limits)
3. Inspections requested day-of instead of pre-scheduled
4. Scope drift or change orders once finishes are already ordered

Four ways to keep timelines realistic

1. Lock layout and selections before permits; order long-lead items first
2. Stage core materials on site before demo begins
3. Batch rough-ins so one inspection can clear multiple trades
4. Keep a one- to two-day buffer between rough inspections and closing walls

Tip: write the target start date only after glass, cabinets, specialty doors, and key mechanicals are confirmed. That protects the critical path and reduces idle crew time.

Budget control without cutting corners

Cost overruns usually come from scope creep and late selections, not from choosing a durable product. Lock the layout early, pick in-stock finishes where possible, and keep a modest contingency for hidden conditions (subfloor repair, rot, electrical capacity, unexpected framing fixes). Stage small but critical items such as valves, drains, fasteners, shower fans, adhesives before demo so trades don’t stall. Clear allowances, written specs, and a simple change-order process keep pricing predictable without sacrificing quality or code compliance.

Small habits that save money

1. Approve glass, cabinets, and special doors before you set a start date
2. Batch rough-ins so one inspection can clear plumbing, electrical, and HVAC together
3. Confirm ventilation and waterproofing details on paper to avoid rework behind finished walls
4. Use in-stock, manufacturer-approved systems to shorten lead times and reduce change orders

Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, exteriors & where the ROI lives

In Vigo County, the upgrades that hold value at resale are the ones that improve daily function and reduce maintenance. Bathrooms return best when showers are properly waterproofed, pans are sloped and tested, and ventilation is quiet and correctly sized. Kitchens see payback through cabinet choices (stock or semi-custom over fully custom when budgets are tight), durable countertops, task lighting at prep zones, and sensible layouts that avoid moving gas or drains. Basements deliver value with moisture control, correct egress, and insulation that keeps spaces dry and quiet. Exterior work like siding, decks, doors, and windows pays back through curb appeal and comfort, but the real differentiators are flashing, house-wrap laps, and weather-management details that keep water out and finishes stable.

Two smart pairings

1. One wet-area upgrade (bath or kitchen) plus one curb-appeal improvement (siding or deck)
2. Interior flooring continuity across a level plus targeted lighting upgrades for a larger, cleaner feel

Why this works

1. Function first: less rework, fewer callbacks, better inspection outcomes
2. Low-maintenance finishes: fewer future costs and stronger buyer confidence
3. Code-correct details: waterproofing, ventilation, and egress that appraisers and inspectors recognize
4. Visible impact: better photos, better showings, and cleaner appraisal notes

How we keep projects moving (so you don’t have to)

As your local general contractor, we run the whole process so the schedule stays on track. We define scope, prepare drawings, submit permits, and coordinate trades so rough-ins and finals happen on time. You’ll get photo documentation of waterproofing, flashing, and rough-in work, so you know what’s behind the walls before they’re closed. We maintain clean job sites, send short daily updates, and resolve punch-list items before closeout so no surprises, no idle days.

What we manage for you

1. Permit packages, inspector coordination, and code compliance from plan review to final sign-off
2. Material staging and critical-path scheduling, including long-lead items and delivery windows
3. Trade sequencing for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and carpentry to avoid downtime between phases
4. Site protection, change-order control, and clear documentation through walkthrough and warranty

Common mistakes (and how we avoid them)

Projects stumble for predictable reasons and each one is easy to prevent with planning, staged materials, and early inspection booking. The most common issues are:

1. Starting demo before key materials arrive
   Leads to idle crews, change orders, and blown timelines. We stage glass, cabinets, special doors, valves, and fans before tear-out so rough-ins and finishes proceed without gaps.
2. Moving utilities without a real functional payoff
   Relocating drains, gas lines, or load-bearing elements adds labor, inspections, and downstream costs. We keep layouts disciplined and only move services when the usability gain is clear.
3. Covering work before a rough inspection pass
   Closing walls too soon risks tear-back. We photograph waterproofing, flashing, traps/vents, wiring, and duct runs, then pass rough inspections before insulation, drywall, or tile.
4. Under-specifying ventilation and moisture control
   Undersized bath fans, unvented hoods, or weak basement dehumidification shorten finish life and fail code checks. We size ventilation to room volume and duct lengths, confirm terminations, and prioritize moisture management to protect the envelope.

Result: fewer change orders, cleaner inspection outcomes, and a schedule that holds from demo to final walkthrough.