Thinking of Updating Your Home... Don t Forget the Permit

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. I'm 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 it's 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 won't increase the value of your home if it is not permitted.

Here's the rule for most cities.. be sure to check your local requirements. The only things that don't need a permit are new cabinets, tile work or flooring that don't require plumbing or electrical changes. You can change out the tile in the bath if you don't put in a new tub or any type of additional plumbing. You can add new kitchen cabinets and granite counters if you don't move or add any electrical or plumbing to accommodate the work you are doing. You can't 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.

In the Southern California Beach Cities... Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo.. upgrading a kitchen and bathrooms is a very sound investment. Most prospective buyers are looking for a home that is in move-in condition. They work long hours and don't have the time to get involved with a home remodeling project. They expect a home to be in great condition and they want all work 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.

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