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For most people, a home is the largest single investment they will ever make. When you choose to add extra living space, or simply improve the layout and functionality of your home by renovating your kitchen, bathrooms, master bedroom, home office, screened patio, pool area or any other area of your home, you want to be sure everything is done safely and to code.
Permits help protect property value. Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced
Inspections ensure that work meets the building code. Not only do they reveal minor problems that could lead to costly repairs, but also liability and life-safety concerns like structural weaknesses, dangerous wiring or defective plumbing. There have been horror stories that homes have caught on fire due to improperly installed wiring. Homeowners have suffered from mold because of “hidden” leaks behind walls. If the homes had been properly inspected, these would not be issues!
It’s a red flag if your potential contractor says “a permit is not necessary,” or expects you to pull the permit. (If you pull the permit yourself, you are responsible for the work, not the contractor!)
According to the Florida Building Code:
Any contractor, owner, or agent authorized in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 489 who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection system, or accessible or flood resistant site element, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
YOU CAN BE FINED TRIPLE THE PERMIT FEE IF YOU ARE CAUGHT HAVING
REMODELING WORK DONE WITHOUT PULLING A PERMIT
The current owner can be faced with additional fines and liens on their property if they do not resolve all issues and satisfy the permit requirements. Some property owners find it cheaper and easier to remove the addition or renovation and start from scratch with an Architect or General Contractor. Some people have recently had to have a brand new roof removed and replaced because the contractor did not pull a permit and have proper inspections.
When it comes to selling a house, realtors and lenders require that any construction work is done with permits to ensure that the house is safe for future occupants. Instead of closing on their home, homeowners have to scramble to catch up with permits and inspections -- and additional repair work if the installations are not made to current code.
Yes, pulling a permit will add to the price of your remodeling project, a but the costs for not pulling a permit could be staggering.