Bathroom Remodeling in Paw Paw, MI

Census estimates put the median build year in Paw Paw at 1966; about 32% of homes were built before 1950. Kitchens and bathrooms from this era often keep their original layout and plumbing. Decide early whether you want to move fixtures, since that changes the permit and the scope. Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the company is EPA lead-safe certified.

Van Buren County is in IECC climate zone 5A, a cool, humid climate, on the U.S. Department of Energy's county map. In a damp climate, a bathroom exhaust fan that vents outside (not into the attic) helps prevent mold. Cold winters make exterior walls matter. If walls are opened, ask whether insulation will be added before they are closed.

About 37% of homes in Paw Paw are in buildings with five or more units. Condo buildings often need approval before a remodel and may limit work hours. Only about 49% of occupied homes in Paw Paw are lived in by their owners, so many residents rent. Renters should check with the property owner or manager before hiring anyone for a bathroom remodel.

Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits or changing walls usually needs a permit; swapping fixtures in place usually does not. In Paw Paw, permits come from the city's building department, or from Van Buren County for addresses outside city limits. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

LARA licenses residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors. Look the company up with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) before you sign.