Page 8 - Your Home Your Way

8 THE BRANDON SUN • YOUR HOME YOUR WAY • THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

» Continued from Page 7
KEEP BUILDING PERMITS IN MIND
Meanwhile, the added demand has re-
sulted in a supply chain that is “not only
cracked, it’s shattered.” City of Brandon building permits siding or exterior finishing doesn’t
As such, Toder urges people to come related to residential renovations require a permit — it’s mainly addi-
up with a succinct plan — something increased slightly last year, from 52 tions that require permits.
designers are integral in drafting — and in 2019 to 62 in 2020, though this Fischer also wants people to be
make sure all the materials are on site be- only scratches the surface of what aware of the municipality’s Sewer
fore work begins. has transpired, since not all renova- Backup Subsidy Program, which
“I drove to Selkirk to get a sink for a tions require permits. offers funding for property owners
client, otherwise they wouldn’t get it until Those who are uncertain as to wanting to install a sump pump and
July,” she said, adding another client had whether they require a building pit and/or backwater valve in their
a home gym constructed only to find the permit should phone a city inspec- home or business.
exercise equipment he’d wanted would not tor, building safety manager Murray The subsidy is available for up
be available for months. Fischer said. to 75 per cent of materials and in-
If not for strong planning, people could “Usually, our inspectors are a lit- stallation costs to a maximum of
be missing integral components for long tle bit quicker to answer the ques- $2,500 for the sump pump and pit
periods of time, and/or spend more than tion than have someone go to our and a maximum of $1,500 for the
they’d initially planned as prices continue website and go through the bylaw,” backwater valve.
to fluctuate. he said. “There’s a lot of content in The effort is a result of a Bran-
“Builders are there to build, draftsmen the bylaw.” don City Council budgetary de-
are there to draw, and designers are there Adding a bathroom, putting in cision, for which they earmarked
to plan,” she said. “It’s just being smart a horizontal addition, finishing a $100,000, in response to last year’s
with your planning.” basement and expanding a window flood event triggered by heavy rain-
size all require permits. fall.
Replacing existing things such as » The Brandon Sun
» tclarke@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB

Windsor Plywood Brandon manager Peter Behrens is seen with some of the exotic wood available at the store, which has proven popular during the
pandemic. (Tyler Clarke/The Brandon Sun)