Bathroom, Kitchen and Home Remodeling in Bedford, NH

Permits

Remodeling permits in Bedford

The Building Department works out of the Town Offices at 24 North Amherst Rd, Monday to Friday 8 to 4:30, opening at 7 on Tuesdays. "Permits must be picked up in person," incomplete, unsigned or outdated forms "will not be accepted," and the town "does not issue Foundation Only Permits." Building permits, and trade permits tied to them, are filed in person; the town's Online Permitting System takes stand-alone electrical, plumbing, gas and mini-split permits, though the Building Safety page still says those must be secured in person, so call ahead.

What needs a permit. The Getting a Permit page lists "Remodeling both residential and commercial that involves structural and/or nonstructural modifications" and "Converting existing unused space into usable finished areas" among the permits that require review, and licensed trades "must present a current license to the department at time of issuance." The Residential Building Permit form, revised 4/2024, has boxes for remodels and additions, asks for the number of bedrooms and the contractors involved, and requires "Two full sets of drawings including structural details and a plot plan of lot showing setbacks to all lot lines," plus the PUC EC-1 energy form.

Fees. The town's fee schedule titled 2022 Update, which prints no effective date, lists $0.18 per square foot (outside dimensions) for one- and two-family homes and accessory structures, $75 plan review for residential additions and major remodels, $50 for a one- or two-family demolition, $50 minimums on trade permits and electrical wiring at $0.018 per square foot. Starting without a permit adds a surcharge of the greater of $100 or twice the permit fee under the town Building Code, amended in its entirety November 6, 2019 (Chapter 92).

Inspections. The required inspections run from footings and foundation through "Frame, Rough Plumbing & Rough Electric" and insulation, which "Must be weather-tight with completed exterior finish," to the certificate of occupancy. They are booked by phone at 603-472-4567 and done Monday to Friday 9:30 to 3:30; requests left after hours are scheduled for the second business day (request an inspection).

Building permits

Building Department, 24 North Amherst Rd (in person)

Needs review

Remodels, and unused space converted to finished area

Building fee

$0.18/sq ft (2022 Update schedule, no effective date)

Plan review

$75 for additions and major remodels

No permit

Greater of $100 or twice the fee

Inspections

By phone, 603-472-4567

State rules. New Hampshire has no license for general remodelers; in the Attorney General's words, "contractors do not need to be licensed." The same office advises a written contract with scope, materials, total price and payment schedule before work or payment, and treats a down payment over 50% as a warning sign (NH Attorney General). Plumbing, gas and electrical work are licensed trades (OPLC; RSA 319-C). Contracts over $5,000 for work on a home must carry the RSA 359-G notice about the 60-day written notice a homeowner owes before suing over defects (RSA 359-G). Towns issue permits under the State Building Code (RSA 155-A:2), which moved to the 2024 codes on July 1, 2026, with either code set accepted through December 31, 2026 (state code summary).

Last verified November 2026. Fees, restrictions and deadlines on this page are due for re-checking by April 2027. New England Remodeling Pros is a referral service. We don't do the remodeling ourselves; the contractor you hire, or you as the owner, files the permits.

Old houses

Old houses and historic review in Bedford

The Bedford Center Historic District covers the 18th-century village core at a six-way crossroads, with its church, town hall, library and cemetery, along Bell Hill, Church, Meetinghouse, Ministerial, North Amherst and Wallace roads; the town's GIS map has a Historic District layer (Historic District Commission). There, the commission says projects "likely require a Certificate of Approval" when visible from the public way, including new construction, alteration or demolition of a building or exterior feature, solar and other modern equipment, walls and fences, grading of 2 feet or more, new paving and removal of a protected tree. "Many projects can be administratively approved by staff or exempt from review," and a non-binding pre-application meeting is available.

The rules are newly revised: the Historic District Ordinance posted as approved March 10, 2026, the HDC Regulations as amended September 1, 2026, and new Design Guidelines. Outside the district, the town sources show no demolition delay.

Lead paint. Paid work that disturbs paint in a home built before 1978 must be done by an EPA-certified renovator, "even sole proprietorships"; window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are covered regardless of size (EPA RRP; EPA contractor rules). New Hampshire is not an authorized state, so EPA runs the program here.