How do you determine if a project has astructural component? If you consider that before you moved into your home, when there was no furniture and without any of your belongings, a structural change would mean that you would alter the layout or foundation of that empty home, move around some walls, or change the original infrastructure (think plumbing, electrical or air conditioning vents), alter the cement or wood foundation for which the floor or home is sitting on (or second story), or say, you need to change the layout of the home – like adding or removing a wall, or adding/removing square footage then that is likely considered structural. Now, I don’t have the code language for what is considered structural in your hometown or city, but if you want to attempt to change any of these,I would highly suggest you consult a certified professional, structural engineer or architectANDalso consult with your local building and permit departments because there may be some specifics you need to know to be sure it can be changed.
Some changes may also need HOA approval if you live in a managed community. Don’t just YouTube it and think you’ll be fine. Those videos may tackle a project differently than how your local area permits. Unless you specialize in the area you want to tackle (say, for instance, you are an electrician in your area), it’s not worth the headache of doing all that work and if you change it and do it wrong, you may be liable for damages when you move, could harm others or yourself, catch your house on fire, bring the ceiling down or even worse hurt somebody else visiting your home. In some states, if you sell that home and those changes are not permitted and someone gets hurt or there’s a legitimate safety concern that needs to be corrected, you could also be liable for the damages and false advertising if you did not disclose those unpermitted changes up to a couple of years after you’ve moved out. Attempting to do the job simply because you don’t have the money may seem like a good idea, but it really is not. Ask and get advice first. For me, if any of my projects have a structural component, I will always call a professional and I will always do it according to code.
