“Building Codes: A Smart Investment” is the Theme for Building Safety Month Week Four

Shortcuts in Construction and Renovations are Not Smart Investments for Homeowners

The biggest investment most people will ever make is buying a home. Cutting corners on safety can hurt that investment, however, not to mention those living there.

Since 1980 and founded by the International Code Council, Building Safety Month has been an annual public safety awareness campaign to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. The theme for week four of Building Safety Month 2016, May 23-29, is “Building Codes: A Smart Investment.”

“I liken a building permit to an inexpensive insurance policy,” said ICC Board of Directors President Alex Olszowy, III, with the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government in Lexington, Ky. “By getting the permit, you have the assurance that your project complies with local building codes, which can save you money in the long run, as well as help protect yourself and family.”

A plan reviewer can prevent costly design flaws before the project ever leaves the counter, Olszowy added, and an inspector checks for code compliance on the job. “Both of these services protect your investment for now and in the future,” he said.

Building codes include the latest science and research that help ensure every phase of the construction process is done correctly. In addition to helping make homes safe, building codes also can help homeowners save money through energy efficiency and smart water use.

Homeowners could wind up spending more money in a lot of ways if their construction projects do not comply with local building codes. The value of those investments could be reduced and property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. And if property owners decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, they may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied, or make costly repairs.

Major sponsors ISO Mitigation and the National Association of Home Builders provide several resources to help homeowners to invest wisely in the places where they live and raise their families. Read more.

About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.