Whether you are planning to buy a home or you have been considering renovations for your home, it is important to know what permits are required. If you do not secure the appropriate permits, you could find yourself in a difficult situation later on. For instance, your insurance company may refuse to cover issues related to home improvement without permits. Likewise, your home appraiser may not count the additions you make to your home when calculating its value. Also, you may find that your lending bank will not advance you a loan for a remodeling project.
In addition, your insurance company may raise your premiums for having unpermitted work. This can make the cost of renovations very high. Especially, if you do not have proper permits for electrical or plumbing work. A poorly-executed plumbing or electrical project can be dangerous. You can also face fines for completing your renovation without a permit.
While there are a few minor home improvements that do not require a permit, major home renovations do. These include additions, decks, fences, pools, and other changes to the home’s footprint. In order to ensure that renovations are completed safely, most cities require permits for these projects. In addition, your homeowner’s insurance will not cover any damages or injuries caused by unpermitted work. Browse around this site!
In addition, homeowners who bypass the permit process could end up liable for damages after selling their homes. The local government may notice the renovation and issue a stop-work order. This can force the contractor to stop working on the project, and you may have to tear down the work.
Another reason why homeowners may choose to go without permits is the cost. The cost of permits can range from as little as a few hundred dollars to as much as $600. You may also be required to pay retroactive permits, which can be a considerable expense.
If you do not know whether you need a permit, you may want to get some professional advice. Your agent can help you determine whether you need to get a permit and what the consequences may be if you do not.
Another reason homeowners may opt to go without permits is that they are afraid that their work will be caught. City inspectors have been known to drive down alleys looking for unpermitted packing materials. They may also check records and plans to ensure that the work meets the code. They may also issue stop-work orders to force the contractor to stop work.
If you are buying a home, you will need to obtain a home inspection. If the inspection discovers that the property is unpermitted, you may be able to back out of your purchase contract. You may also be lowballing a house because of its unpermitted renovations.
If you are renovating your home, you may be able to obtain an “as-built” permit from the city. This may help you avoid having to tear down the work. However, you will need to disclose that you have gone without permits. Click for more info…
