Bathroom Remodeling in South Dakota

Census estimates put the median build year in South Dakota at 1980; about 20% of homes were built before 1950. Many homes of this age still have their first kitchen or bathroom. 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.

About 27% of South Dakota's counties are in climate zone 5A (cool, humid), based 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. Check your own county's zone, since conditions differ across the state.

About 67% of homes in South Dakota are single-family houses, and about 69% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits or changing walls usually needs a permit; swapping fixtures in place usually does not. In South Dakota, building permits are issued by cities and counties, so the rules depend on where the home is. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

South Dakota has no statewide general contractor license; the state licenses electrical and plumbing contractors. For other trades, ask your city or county building department which license applies, and ask the company for its license number.