Construction & Remodeling Experts in South Carolina

It depends on the city or county and the scope. The City of Spartanburg says any work on a residential property in the city requires a residential building permit. The City of Charleston has separate permit types for alterations, window and door replacement, roof repair and replacement, and exterior painting. The permit requirements for your address are confirmed during planning, before work is scheduled.

Residential builders need a license from the Residential Builders Commission when a job costs more than $5,000, and residential specialty contractors must be licensed or registered for work over $500. General and mechanical contractors need a Contractor's Licensing Board license for work over $10,000. Both boards link to a license lookup on the LLR website. Some towns, such as Summerville, also require contractors to hold a local business license.

Exterior work can happen year-round, but hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October. The state warns that storms can bring high winds, tornadoes and flooding to every county, not just the coast. For roof replacements and large exterior jobs, it helps to schedule tear-offs in short weather windows and keep materials secured, especially in late summer and early fall.

It can come up. The City of Charleston's residential alterations permit application asks whether the property is restricted by a recorded covenant that conflicts with the proposed work. Review your covenants and any HOA approval process before the design is final.

State law adopts the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code as the Energy Standard for all new and renovated buildings and additions. A renovation means alterations or repairs within 12 months that cost more than half of the building's value, so a small remodel may not trigger it but an addition will. All of South Carolina is in climate zone 3A.

Yes. Under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 must be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. About a third of South Carolina homes were built before 1980, so this comes up often in older neighborhoods. Tell us the year your home was built when you share project details.