Bathroom Remodeling in Pittsfield, NH

Census estimates put the median build year in Pittsfield at 1952; about 50% of homes were built before 1950. Opening walls in older homes can reveal outdated plumbing, wiring or rot. Ask each company how it handles surprises and get that in writing. 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.

Merrimack 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 34% of homes in Pittsfield are in buildings with five or more units. Condo buildings often need approval before a remodel and may limit work hours. Only about 44% of occupied homes in Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield, permits come from the city's building department, or from Merrimack County for addresses outside city limits. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

New Hampshire has no statewide general contractor license; the state licenses electricians and plumbers. For other trades, ask your city or county building department which license applies, and ask the company for its license number.