You may be tempted to begin your renovations without a permit--but beware. If you're caught remodeling without the required permits, the consequences could be inconvenient and expensive.
The Penalties of Construction Without a Permit In some cases, your contractor might advise that your forgo permit requirements. In other cases, your contractor might tell you that he'll procure the necessary permits, but then fails to do so. This can leave homeowners in a tight spot, and potentially set you up for financial and legal repercussions that you're unprepared to deal with.
If you or your contractors fail to acquire a permit for the work being done to your home, the results could be costly. In many cases, you'll be fined an amount in accordance with your town's laws. Other penalties vary by town or city, and by the type of work done without the correct permitting.
How to Tell if You Have a Permit Signs that might indicate your contractor did not procure the required permits:
The best way to be sure that your home improvements have been permitted is to simply call your town's building office yourself. Officials will be able to tell you if permits have been issued at your address. If they haven't, don't panic. It's unlikely that your questions will raise any red flags, as building permits are a matter of public record. The Building Office's main function is to give information and issue permits, not enforce them. It's the inspector's job to issue building fines and citations.
Future Troubles: Selling a Home Without Proper Permits and Inspections One of the most common problems people run into when selling their homes is learning that work has been done without the appropriate permits and inspections. This could be a costly eventuality for home sellers.
If you attempt to sell your home and it is disclosed that renovations have been made without a permit, a buyer could demand that you have the work retroactively permitted and approved by a building inspector. Another buyer might expect a hefty discount in order to compensate for problems they may encounter in the future.
Remember that if your permit expires during the course of your home improvements, you'll likewise be on the hook. Renewing your permit in time can save you both hassle and expense.