Thread: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Permits

Harry Homeowner told the buyer that homeowners are not required to pull permits. So he installed a new high-efficiency furnace and water heater, built a deck (with a hot tub), added gas piping and installed a beam below floor joists. All without permits.

Here is some of his handiwork.

Roof jack at furnace & water heater discharge pipe is on top of shingles. There was another old roof jack below but its condition is questionable. (And that raises the question: What was there before? (Most likely a plumbing vent. So what happened to it?)

I don't know how Harry missed the extensive roof damage when he was up there.

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No drip collar at metal chimney for yet-to-be-installed garage space heater.

Deck joist hangers installed with screws, not nails. Deck posts not centered on piers. Multiple posts on a single pier. Joint of built-up beam not over a support. 4X4 joists below the hot tub.

The beam added below the floor joists was installed to dampen the floor. (Harry told the buyer the floor bounced when a person walked across it.) A note written on the beam had a date of March of this year. One end is supported by a tele-post which is supported by the basement slab; very likely no footing below that spot. The other end of the beam is supported by a bracket that Harry welded together himself and bolted to the foundation wall.

My recommendation to the buyer is to have the seller provide evidence this work was properly permitted and approved. Around here the fee for a permit pulled after the fact is triple the original cost.

That's good stuff!!

It always kills me when buyers still buy the house.... I want to ask them why they even hired me.... There are many times when I know it doesn't matter what I say. They're are going to buy the place.

I agree, Matt. You can lead a horse to water . . .

In this case I have probably killed the deal. The buyer will be asking for numerous repairs and signed-off permits for the new work. She told me at the inspection that the seller has another buyer at $5k more than her offer. Maybe there is another buyer; maybe the isn't. If there is another buyer you can bet the seller will refuse my client's demands and sell the house to the other buyer without disclosing any of the defects or unpermitted work.

BTW, I checked with the code office and all the work I pointed out (furnace, water heater, deck, beam) requires a permit - even for homeowners. No surprise there.

Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove

BTW, I checked with the code office and all the work I pointed out (furnace, water heater, deck, beam) requires a permit - even for homeowners. No surprise there.

That was going to be my response, that, yes, permits are required, but you beat me to it, so, here's another response ...

Did you show them the photos and are they 'going out to check on unpermitted work'? You can make friends in the building department doing that. Which allows you into their 'back room' where you can get to know them, and learn about how they call different things. Don't make yourself a pest, but show you want to 'learn what how they call the things you question'.

Bruce,
was that a 3 layer roof?
Bruce

Yes it is - in places. That is no longer permitted around here.