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Discovering that your furnace isn’t working and requires replacement can be pretty disheartening. Fortunately, if you find a team of reliable, trustworthy HVAC professionals, you’ll often be able to have the furnace replaced quickly, easily, and at a very reasonable cost.
But there are several other factors involved that you’ll have to consider, such as finding time in your busy life to schedule the work. And then there’s the question of permits. Do you need a permit to install a furnace in Oakland? What if you’re just replacing an existing furnace with a new model?
We’ll answer all of these questions and explain the basics of the permitting process below.
Is a Permit Required for Furnace Replacement in Oakland County, Michigan?
Yes, you need a permit to replace a furnace in Oakland County. However, the enforcement of this policy is a bit complicated.
According to Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), homeowners (or their contractors) must obtain a mechanical permit to replace a furnace in the state of Michigan. From the Mechanical Permit page on the LARA website:
“Except for replacement of minor parts, mechanical work shall not be started until a permit for such work has been issued by the appropriate enforcing agency. A homeowner must secure a permit for work they are performing at their residence, and mechanical contractors are responsible for permits on work they are performing on behalf of an owner.”
However, code compliance and enforcement are primarily left to cities, villages, and townships in the state of Michigan. LARA may establish statewide requirements, but permits are issued at the local level.
Nevertheless, permits are required by all 62 townships, cities, and villages within Oakland County. Some of the smallest municipalities contract with other cities and townships and task them with permit issuance and enforcement.
You can learn more about the permitting process for a few select cities and townships below:
- City of Bloomfield Hills
- Waterford Township
- City of Royal Oak
- City of Troy
- Bloomfield Township
- Addison Township
- Oakland Township
How Do You Obtain a Permit for a Furnace Replacement in Oakland County?
The specific permit application process will vary based on the specific city you live in. However, in most cases, you’ll be able to download an application at the city’s website, though you may have to do so in person in some cases.
However, if you have a professional HVAC contractor replace the furnace for you, they’ll likely obtain the permits for you – Dynamic HVAC is certainly happy to do so for all of our clients. If your HVAC contractor insists that you obtain the permit yourself, you may want to consider looking for a different contractor.
How Much Does a Furnace Replacement Permit in Oakland County Cost?
The exact costs associated with mechanical permits in Oakland County vary from one city, township, or village to the next. However, most are quite reasonable and fall within the $50 to $200 range. A few small townships even have permit fees as low as $25.
Some of the local municipalities impose a fee for all permit applications and then charge different fees for different types of projects. Others impose flat-rate fees for all residential work.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Obtain a Permit?
A lot of homeowners are tempted to replace a furnace without obtaining the necessary permits. But that’s never a good idea. In fact, failure to obtain a permit can land you in some pretty hot (and expensive) water.
For starters, administrative fees are attached to many permit violations. For example, the City of Troy imposes a $125 administrative fee for working without a permit, as well as additional costs based on the size of the unit involved in the project. You may also face a stop-work order and be forced to have additional work completed to bring the furnace up to code.
But criminal penalties may even apply in some cases.
For example, at the state level, failure to complete work in accordance with permit requirements is considered a misdemeanor. You may be fined up to $500 and forced to serve up to 90 days in jail. And it’s important to note that each individual violation will be treated as a separate offense.
Most local municipalities also treat these kinds of violations similarly, with many imposing fines of up to $500 and similar 90-day jail sentences.
For all of these reasons, it is simply wiser for homeowners to obtain all of the permits legally required. And it bears mentioning that no reputable HVAC contractor will be willing to perform work on your home without first obtaining the necessary permits.
Additional Reasons to Obtain a Permit: Insurance & Inspections
Aside from the penalties you may face for failing to obtain a permit, there are two other important reasons it is always wise to follow the rules in this regard:
- Your insurance company may deny claims associated with an unpermitted furnace replacement. This could be disastrous if the furnace causes a house fire.
- Future home inspections (such as when you sell your home) may uncover unpermitted work. This could disrupt or delay the sales process, and it may even lead to financial penalties administered by the state or local municipality.
Furnace Replacement Permits: FAQ
Have more questions about furnace permitting requirements in Michigan? We’ll answer a few of the most common questions we hear from our customers below!
Do you need a permit to install a furnace in Michigan?
Yes – the state of Michigan requires a permit for all types of major repairs and installations. This includes furnace installation or replacement. You don’t, however, have to obtain a permit for minor repairs, such as replacing the filters.
What home renovations require a permit in Michigan?
Most major home renovation projects, ranging from HVAC installations to home additions to exterior siding replacement, require a permit in the state of Michigan.
Can a homeowner replace their own furnace?
It isn’t entirely impossible for a homeowner to legally replace a furnace in Michigan, but it’s strongly discouraged, given the potential safety hazards of improper installation. It’s simply wiser to leave this kind of project to the professionals.
Who is responsible for pulling permits in Michigan?
The homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the necessary permits have been obtained. However, if you work with a high-quality contractor like Dynamic HVAC, they’ll likely obtain the permits on your behalf.
Trust Dynamic HVAC for All Your Furnace Repair and Replacement Needs!
Whether you need a new furnace installed or you need help getting an existing furnace repaired or replaced, the professionals at Dynamic HVAC are ready to help with all of your heating and cooling needs! We can even provide preventative furnace maintenance to help ensure your unit works properly for years to come.
Contact us today to schedule an on-site inspection. We’ll gladly take a look at your furnace and recommend the appropriate steps you’ll need to take. We’ve been serving residents and commercial clients in the Oakland County, Michigan area for more than 14 years, and we’d love to show you why your friends and neighbors have trusted us with all of their HVAC needs!
