Understanding the Importance of Building Permits

Steve Hayes • Aug 28, 2023 • 2 min read

Understanding the Importance of Building Permits

Navigating the maze of home improvement often leads homeowners to the all-important question: Do we really need a permit? 

Debunking Myths: A common notion floats around that obtaining permits is just a way for the city to collect fees, dismissing the essence behind it.

The Real Implications of Skipping Permits:

1. Insurance Repercussions: Your insurance’s primary objective is to minimize payouts. Without proper documentation, they could argue that non-licensed individuals carried out the work, leading to potential claim denials. Avoiding this tragic scenario is vital.
2. Detectable Home Modifications: Inspectors and insurance evaluators have ways of identifying recent work. For instance:

• Date-marked wiring can reveal when electrical work was last done.

• Modern plumbing components like PVC and PEX can indicate recent renovations.

The Benefit of Third-party Inspection: Having a third-party inspection ensures the work adheres to code, even if they don’t necessarily judge the quality of workmanship.

Do You Feel Lucky? Risks accompany the choice to forego permits. The question homeowners need to ponder is: Is it worth taking that gamble?

Opting to secure a permit might seem tedious, but it’s a critical step for homeowners to ensure safety, adherence to standards, and peace of mind.