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Risks of Remodeling Without a Permit
Most cities require that homeowners obtain a building permit before
making modifications to their residence. Which modifications require
a permit vary by city. Also, some cities are more vigilant than
others in enforcing permit laws.
In order for the homeowner to receive a permit, the homeowner or
his/her designee are required to file plans and pay fees to the
city. In addition, the improvements are given a value. If they
increase the value of the property, this may result in an increase
in property taxes. Inspections are often required, and this means
having to schedule and then wait for inspectors to approve the work
to be done. This process can be time consuming and inconvenient in
the short run. It is for this reason that some homeowners skip the
permit process.
If a permit is needed and you fail to get one, the city may discover
this at some time in the future and getting a permit retroactively
can frequently be significantly more expensive and much more
problematic than having obtained the permit before work commenced.
If work is not done in accordance with city procedures or if the
inspector is unable to determine if the work has been done properly,
the homeowner could be required to open walls, tear up floors, so
that the inspection may take place. In addition, by law, work not
permitted where a permit was required must be disclosed to any
prospective purchaser. This may cause the owner to discount their
sale price or perform costly or time-consuming repairs before title
can be transferred.
For prospective buyers of a property, save yourself the future
hassle and loss of money by researching whether all work on the
premises has been done according to code and with the proper
permits. You may obtain these permits by going directly to Building
& Safety in the municipality in which the property is located or by
hiring a "permit puller" who will research the permits for you.
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