Can you pull permits after repair work has been done on a home?

Question

I am a DIY'er replacing plumbing, electrical, heating ducts, and then drywalling to finish my basement. I want to have someone more qualified inspect the work I've done before drywall is hung. What is the process of getting a city inspector to view the work?

Answer 1

You can go ahead and pull a permit, and you really don't need to be dishonest about the timing- just don't mention it.
Go to your local permit office and apply for the permit. Once you get the permit, just wait a couple days to call in the inspection.
The important thing is to make whatever corrections the inspector recommends, and don't be too dissapointed if it fails inspection the first time. Most inspectors are willing to explain to homeowners what they need to do to make corrections.

Answer 2

Whatever you do, DO NOT listen to Steve C! That will bring you in tremendous trouble with the law! I am a professional engineer and also the local structural building inspector. There is no need or reason to mention work that is already done for a permit application. What is needed is a plan and elevations of what you are doing. With the adoption of the IBC, finished basements have very specific egress requirements - this is normally the largest hurdle but a code requirement that must be accommodated.

Now here is where the lack of permits will bite you, and I've seen this more times that I've ever asked anyone to rip-out work, and that's over 25 years. IF, something should be faulty with your work and your home is damaged or destroyed, your homeowners insurance in NOT obligated to pay you a dime. They also do not have to pay you a dime for damage to your work not permitted if something else happens (e.g., a burst pipe) and they also can drop you when the adjuster finds the work is not permitted. The adjuster will check municipal records for the permits - we have 20-30 requests per week. You will also become an at-risk insuree, meaning you will pay 4-5 times a standard premium, or be completely uninsurable for a time period (usually set by state statute) - either can jeopardize financing. When it comes time to sell, that's when you'll be in real problem territory because it is now a requirement to verify that appropriate permits were pulled as required! If you don't have it, then you will be fined (2x full permit face value), receive a demolition order, have your CO revoked, and not be able to obtain another CO for you to live there or to sell until full remedied! It will also be reported to the title company, mortgage company, and your homeowners. It becomes a real house of cards for what? Saving a few bucks? For the record, where I serve the permit fee barely covers my time for paperwork and inspection/re-inspection, clerk's time to process and issue and file the paperwork. We don't do this service for a profit, we do it for safety. Sure there is the shady side of what we due typical to urban areas, but not all of us are like that.

Also, for those who think we'll never know the difference - don't count on it. A great example is a home built in 2005, selling now and the basement is fully finished with a spare bedroom, which the buyers represented it was built that way - not possible because the basement does not meet egress or minimum height requirements for finishing, which come right out of the local code. Plus, we have the original builder's plans on file.

Answer 3

Normally, you just don't mention that you have already done the work. Do not install the drywall until it has been inspected. It's funny how people try to save a few bucks by not getting permits, but want to claim the improvements when selling. A decent Home Inspector (which most are using now) will easily see new work and request the inspection reports. Your insurance company is also not liable for damages caused by uninspected electrical and plumbing work should something happen.

Answer 4

I wouldn't but that is me.
I guess what I am saying is if I didn't feel confident of my work then I wouldn't have done it in the first place. I do this type stuff every day so it is easy for me to say this.
I would personally turn everything on and use it for a while to make sure there were no leaks, make sure your forced air is on the outside walls return is on the inside, and your electrical switches and lights all work the way you wanted them too.
Unless you are wanting to possibly get a fine for not taking a permit out for the work you did I wouldn't get the city involved now, That should have been done in the get go.
There are so called professional inspectors all over the country now, Look in your phone book and you probably can find one with out too much trouble. Contact your bank they may have one that inspects property before they loan money for a home purchase.

Answer 5

DO NOT contact a building inspector! Legally they could make you tear everything out because you didn't have a permit before you started. I've seen this happen many times.

You've got to find a friendly plumber, electrician etc., to inspect your work. You're also going to have to be careful about this too. Some subs get real upset by DIY'ers because they are losing the business and will rat you out to the inspector.

When I do a project without a permit, I usually offer the sub $50 cash to check my work, and, if I've made any mistakes I hire them to fix it. Ask your friends if they know any subs who would work with you.

Answer 6

Who paid for the inspection to qualify the house for resale (getting a new mortgage?) During the inspection certain items were found to be in need of repair/replacement - none of the items you mentioned require "pulling a permit" Permits are required for "new electrical wiring or panels" - New Water heater, New septic system, New roof, New Furnace or A/C installation, New driveway approach, New Garage Floor & Driveway, Copper re piping. Banks will not re fi without proper permits. All the work being done now comes under the heading of "rehabbing" in order to push the price of the house up from the bottom where it suffered from "delayed and deferred maintenance" Call the bank and check your loan first, explain that you want an independent contractor to check this work, that an unlicensed contractor (as far as you know) is doing. You're paying for it, and if its inadequate you'll have to have it redone, without recourse to your mortgage contract.

Answer 7

go down and pay the fee .that is all there city wants .i would call a contractor instead as the city is not going to take responabily for anything

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

I don't really know.