What the Building Department Doesn't Know
There are a number of serious problems related to a building permit. First, the building code is basically a "health and safety" code. It's designed to ensure that whatever construction work is done will leave the property in a safe, habitable condition. If your planned work doesn't meet code, it simply may not be safe. And if it does meet code, why not get the permit? If you do the work without a permit, you may run into trouble when you resell. A good home inspection will almost certainly reveal work done without it.
Most work that differs from what's standard for your home will stand out. If there's no permit, the buyers will undoubtedly demand that the work be brought up to code (a permit obtained) before they make a purchase. That could mean redoing the entire job, a very costly procedure!
A case in point: Peter did renovations as a sort of hobby (buying homes to live in, fixing them up, and then reselling). But he refused to take out permits, complaining about the cost and the trouble of hassling with a building inspector. He would say, "If there's a question when I resell, I'll get the permit then."
Peter did good work and for a long time there were no problems. Then, one day, a buyer questioned a room addition. Peter admitted he didn't have a permit. The buyer demanded that the room be brought up to code as evidenced by a permit. So Peter applied for a permit. By this time, of course, the room was finished-wallboard in place, electrical outlets installed, walls painted and ready. The building inspector demanded that Peter rip everything out. He wanted to see the size of the studs used, their placement, the type and gauge of electrical wire used, whether wires were anchored near every outlet box, whether there was appropriate insulation in the exterior walls, and on and on. In other words, before a final inspection, there had to be many rough inspections to check the work. Of course, Peter couldn't do these because he had already finished the job. Peter had to rip the job down to the bare wood and, for practical purposes, start over. At first he balked, saying he would find another, less demanding buyer. But he already had applied for the permit and the city would hound him until either the work was properly completed or it was totally ripped out. Further, because of disclosure laws, which apply to most real estate sales today, Peter would be required to disclose the problems with the room to any new buyer. He simply gritted his teeth, did the work, and paid the bills.
As soon as you get a permit, information about the job is forwarded to the assessor's office. When you complete the work, a notice of completion is likewise forwarded and you can expect the tax assessor to raise your taxes according to the amount and cost of work done. Some people don't want to get permits to avoid having to pay additional taxes. Their desire is understandable. Realistically, however, a permit and the accompanying reassessment are unavoidable. You just have to grit your teeth and bear it.
What Do Building Permits Cost?
Cities and counties often use their own fee structure, based on their estimate of the cost of the work done or the type of work. The smallest jobs may require a fee of $35 to $100. For larger jobs the fees may run into the hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars. You can typical¬ly expect to pay 2 to 3 percent of the total cost of the work for permits.
The permit fees usually include the following:
¦ Plan check
¦ Inspections
¦ Paperwork
Keep in mind that you may need several permits. On a major kitchen remodeling project, for example, you would likely need:
¦ Construction for structural changes
¦ Electrical for lighting, appliances, and other electrical work
¦ Gas and plumbing (usually one) for sinks, dishwasher, gas stove, and so on
There could be other requirements, depending on the work done. In addition, there may be other fees. For example, you may need to make a refundable deposit, to ensure against damage to the street or sidewalk, if the building department thinks you may move in heavy machinery. There may be a fee for additional flow to the sewer system if you're adding a bathroom.
About the Author
You should be very careful while discussing your house with building department. So, you might want to learn how to have a building permit and if the personal is selfish, you might want to know how to deal with selfish people
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