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Remodeling... Dont Forget the Permit
by Kaye Thomas
My house always seems a bit dull after all the holiday decorations are put away. The magazines at the check out counter have headlines about new trends in decorating and how to update your kitchen for less then $500. Im ready to spruce up and change. Call the gardener and the contractor I want to be the after not the before picture.
Spring is the time people think about selling their home and want to update it to get the best price possible. Unfortunately too many homeowners decide that its too expensive or time consuming to pull a permit for the work they want done. It amazes me that someone will spend $20,000, $40,000 or even $100,000 or more and not pull a permit that costs $1000.00. Being penny wise and dollar foolish will cost you in the long run.
I have a friend who wanted to put in a new deck. Before she started I told her she should get it permitted.. but the man who built it said it would be OK and a permit would be a hassle. She listened to him. Three weeks after the work was finished a neighbor complained. The City has now told her she needs to tear down at least a third of the deck to meet code. She spent $10,000 for the deck and will spend another $4,000 to tear down and modify it to meet code. The permit would have been about $600 or less.
If you add square footage to your home without obtaining a permit an appraiser will not include it as part of the appraisal. So your new 600 square foot addition that cost you $80,000 wont increase the value of your home if it is not permitted.
Heres the rule for most cities.. be sure to check your local requirements. The only things that dont need a permit are new cabinets, tile work or flooring that dont require plumbing or electrical changes. You can change out the tile in the bath if you dont put in a new tub or any type of additional plumbing. You can add new kitchen cabinets and granite counters if you dont move or add any electrical or plumbing to accommodate the work you are doing. You cant add any square footage, move a wall or enclose a patio without a permit. If you add a new roof you will need a permit. If you add a deck or a gas hook up you will need a permit. Even a new hot water heater needs a permit. So check with your city about what needs to be permitted.
It may seem like a pain to do all this but in the long run it will be worth it. Getting an after the fact permit is not terribly difficult but it is a lot more trouble and expense then if the work had been permitted in the first place.
Kaye Thomas is a UCLA graduate and has been selling real estate in Manhattan Beach Ca since 1979. Kaye works with buyers and sellers in the South Bay Beach Cities of Los Angeles county. For more information on buying or selling visit Kaye at Kaye Thomas 4 Homes or read Her Blog
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