Thinking of performing some construction work on a home? Think again. Before any work gets done, you need to make sure you have the proper paperwork to complete it. A simple light switch adjustment could require an electrical permit or even a building permit to complete. You might think this kind of red tape is… View Article The post Builders Beware: A Few Consequences of Not Having a Building Permit appeared first on Scout Services.

Thinking of performing some construction work on a home? Think again. Before any work gets done, you need to make sure you have the proper paperwork to complete it. A simple light switch adjustment could require an electrical permit or even a building permit to complete. You might think this kind of red tape is absurd — and maybe it is — but that doesn’t change the liability and risks that come with ignoring the permit process.
While getting permit services might be a long process, it’s certainly worth it. If you’re a little bit confused as to what happens when you renovate without a permit, here’s a list of potential disasters that can ensue without a permit in place.

Angry Townsfolk

Believe it or not, if you make a renovation in a small town with strict building codes, you could be in for a world of trouble. Cash-strapped towns usually aren’t very lenient with those contractors and homeowners who break the rules. Sneaking a renovation behind the town’s back could result in some very nasty fines.

You Could be Breaking a Law

DIY projects are great when they don’t involve changing an entire house. If a homeowner wants to build a table in their garage, that’s fine. But if the specs of the garage are out of line with the town’s building codes, there may be an even bigger price to pay. Moral of the story: don’t change something before researching it.

Homes Can Actually Fail to Sell

If someone is trying to sell their home, the lack of proper permits can actually deter a lot of buyers from the property. Not only does it mean the renovations are potentially unstable, but it also means that a new owner would potentially have to pay any fines issued by the town after the sale occurs.

Insurance Issues

Without a proper permit, your insurance can go way up, and in some cases your provider won’t pay for damages to the renovated area. It could definitely have an impact on future policies and could even result in lawsuits.

Fortunately, Scout Services’ permit services are here to help. In the early 1990s, there were only about 300 to 400 permit expediters, but now there are many more of us. Our job is to help homeowners, business owners, and contractors secure the permits they need with as little red tape and wasted time as possible. When you think about it, permit services like these give renovators no excuse not to get the proper building permits.