Permitted vs unpermitted work.

[Anonymous]

Renovating a couple of bathrooms (replacing bad renos done by prior owner). GC asked if I want it permitted or not. What are the pros and cons of permitting this type of work?

[Anonymous]

Well the cons are you’re breaking the law. So there’s that.

Do it above board and stop trying cut corners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well the cons are you’re breaking the law. So there’s that.

Do it above board and stop trying cut corners.

I’m not sure it is breaking the law actually. Redoing work that has been redone before is not the same as new construction and does not always require permitting.

[Anonymous]

If it isn't permitted it will not necessarily enhance the value of the property. In some cases, the locality (or evil HOA) can order it removed.

Your house, your roulette wheel. How lucky do you feel today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it isn't permitted it will not necessarily enhance the value of the property. In some cases, the locality (or evil HOA) can order it removed.

Your house, your roulette wheel. How lucky do you feel today?

I don’t understand this. Can you explain? Prior owners did DIY bathrooms that were likely unpermitted and I want to fix them.

[Anonymous]

Also is there any downside to permitting? Why do people not get permits if it enhances the value of a property? Why does unpermitted work, if done well, not enhance the value?

[Anonymous]

Permitting 1) ensures that your taxable value (hence your property taxes) will increase after the work is completed, and what city wouldn't want those additional tax dollars 2) it does protect you somewhat when it comes to unscrupulous contractors and being able to go after them if needed. Just because a contractor is licensed doesn't mean they're not nut jobs or terrible contractors! Conversely just because you do unpermitted work it doesn't mean the work is done poorly or not to code, or that that contract isn't licensed.
In your case you're using a licensed contractor to improve upon work which already exists, and he's giving you the option to skirt the system which will save you money and a ton of time in trying to work with the city to to get your permits approved. If the city would do a better job of pushing permitting applications through the various phases this would hardly ever come up as an obstacle and hence more people would get permits! Instead you have a bunch of super lazy government employees who literally could not give a $hit about you or your project or your timeline or your finances. They do what they want when they want, and there's really nothing you as a private citizen can do about that. Worst case scenario, you don't pull permits, you get caught, there's a "stop work order" and you have to then go through the formal process and pay fines.

Now, this would be a very different discussion if your project included building an addition, moving walls, brand new electrical throughout.

[Anonymous]

What work are you doing in the bathroom that actually requires a permit?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it doesn't cost much to pull a permit. If they ask, they are lazy. Tile and drywall and replacing cabinets does not need a permit but any structural work, plumbing or electrical does. Electricians and plumbers pull their own permits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well the cons are you’re breaking the law. So there’s that.

Do it above board and stop trying cut corners.

This. Any smart buyer would want to know if it’s permitted or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also is there any downside to permitting? Why do people not get permits if it enhances the value of a property? Why does unpermitted work, if done well, not enhance the value?

Because you ahhh to work with the government to get them and the government is almost always inefficient, slow and lazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What work are you doing in the bathroom that actually requires a permit?

I don’t know if any of it requires a permit. I’m not moving any plumbing but I’m replacing a shower stall with a shower/tub combo. Am replacing a vanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well the cons are you’re breaking the law. So there’s that.

Do it above board and stop trying cut corners.

This. Any smart buyer would want to know if it’s permitted or not.

Here’s the agenda:
1) powder room replacing drywall and vanity, extending hardwood into where there is now tile
2) bath #1 replacing shower stall with shower tub combo replacing vanity new sconce fixtures new floor and shower enclosure tiling remove tiling from walls/replace drywall.
3) Bath #2 change half tub to shower stall, change vanity, replace flooring, redo shower wall tiling remove existing wall tiling, change mirror.
Replace toilets with nicer brand not moving soil pipe.

[Anonymous]

When we were selling our house recently, buyers' agents asked me about permits, and then looked them up on the Moco website as we stood there. We'd enclosed a porch, and also done kitchen and bathroom renovations. The kitchen did involve a small bump out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we were selling our house recently, buyers' agents asked me about permits, and then looked them up on the Moco website as we stood there. We'd enclosed a porch, and also done kitchen and bathroom renovations. The kitchen did involve a small bump out.

What is the point of looking up the permits?