Remodeling Reference Created for Homeowners
Asking the right questions in advance helps home projects run smoothly

(April 20, 2005) - The Allen County Commissioners have introduced a brochure designed to aid homeowners in planning and completing home remodeling projects.

Before You Remodel is the product of a team effort between Allen County and Fort Wayne planning departments and the Allen County Building Department, with input from the Homebuilders Association of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors, Better Business Bureau, Indiana Michigan Power and others.

Before You Remodel encourages homeowners to ask important questions while a project is still in the planning stage. The brochure also contains contact information for the resource agencies that can help answer those questions.

"Navigating through the process of obtaining permits and complying with zoning requirements can be confusing," said Commissioner Marla Irving. "Before You Remodel is packed full of information that remodelers - especially do-it-yourselfers - need to consider when planning a home construction project."

The cost of developing and printing the brochure was donated by Indiana Michigan Power, the Homebuilders Association of Fort Wayne and the Better Business Bureau.

Copies of Before You Remodel will be available, beginning later this week, at these locations: all branches of the Allen County Public Library; area Lowe's, Home Depot and Menard's home improvement stores; Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne; Better Business Bureau; Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors; Allen County, Fort Wayne, New Haven and Leo-Cedarville planning department offices; Allen County Building Department and the Allen County Commissioners' office.

Download the brochure

Copies of the Brochure Can Be Obtained At the Following Locations:

  • All branches of the Allen County Public Library
  • Area Lowe's, Home Depot and Menard's home improvement stores
  • The Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne, 305 W. Main Street
  • Better Business Bureau of Northeast Indiana, 4011 Parnell Avenue
  • Fort Wayne Association of REALTORS, 3403 East Dupont Road
  • The Allen County, Fort Wayne, New Haven and Leo-Cedarville planning departments
  • The Allen County Building Department
  • The Allen County Commissioners Office

Building Department

Contact Info

200 East Berry Street
Suite 180
Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1811

M-F 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

(260) 449-7131 (phone)
(260) 449-7596 (fax)

Joseph Hutter
Building Commissioner

Brad Hunter
Senior Electrical Inspector
260-449-7616

Bill Stephens
Senior Non Sanitary & Plumbing Inspector
(260) 449-7598

Dave Harper
Senior Heating Inspector
(260) 449-7618

Derrick Wilson
Senior Commercial Structural Inspector
(260) 449-7034

Dave Longsworth
Senior Housing Inspector
(260) 449-7549

Mike Dwyer
Senior Compliance Division
(260) 449-7595