Red tape may lie between you and your renovation dreams

Put down that power saw.

Just because you watch every home show in the cable universe and take do-it-yourself classes at The Home Depot doesn't mean you're ready to put on that new deck or paint your home's exterior. Before doing major or even minor renovations to the outside of your home, you may have to maneuver through reams of red tape. Here's a quick look at some of the hoops you have to jump through.

YOU'LL NEED REGIONAL BUILDING PERMITS FOR

Construction, installation and replacement of a decks, hot tubs, pools, basement finishes, room additions, exterior siding and stucco, porches, sun rooms, patios or deck enclosures and roof coverings, gazebos, sheds of more than 120 square feet, garages, garage conversions, electrical work, lawn sprinkling system's back-flow prevention devices, water heaters, boilers, furnaces, air conditioning systems, fireplaces, roofing, and retaining wall four feet high or greater. To get approval, you'll need to take plans for your work to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department: 2880 International Circle, 327-2880, pprbd.org

GET INSPECTED

Major projects, such as deck expansions, must undergo three Regional Building inspections at different phases of the projects. Inspection results are noted on the yellow permit card posted on the front of the house during construction. The inspection history is available on the Web site (pprbd.org) under Permits, and then, Permits By Address on the pull-down menu.

IF HIRING A CONTRACTOR

Make sure he or she is licensed in your county. Never obtain a permit for a contractor. It's illegal and transfers all liability for injuries and work to you.

IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOODPLAIN

Major remodels, landscaping changes or additions to homes located in floodplains must be reviewed by the Regional Floodplain Management, and most projects require a Floodplain Development permit. Call 327-2907 for more information.

KEEP IT HISTORIC

If you live in a designated historic district, you'll need approvals and inspections of any exterior renovations by your local historic preservation society. To make sure your changes fit into the historical nature of your home, find old photos of your home. See if you can match materials and look of the original structure before you even draw up plans.

GET APPROVAL FROM YOUR HOME OWNERS' ASSOCIATION

More than half of all Pikes Peak region residents live under covenants and a homeowner association board. You should seek your HOA's approval before you: make any changes to the exterior of your home, such as painting the walls, changing roofing materials, changing shutters, flower boxes or landscaping. Some HOA's also require a certain style of guttering and restrict certain types of driveways.