Why do some investors allow unpermitted work?

Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia · Member since 2023 · 11 posts · 12 votes

There are obvious benefits to acquiring properties that have permitted work, but I want to see if anyone can explain why some folks allow unpermitted work. My curiosity includes how timeframes are affected, the listing price of the home, quality of work etc.

Anyone have any insight?

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Cody L.

Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes

Personally I don't care of someone got permits to do something. If it's done right, I don't need the government having been involved. Plus, I see all the reasons someone wouldn't want to bother with a permit so I'm not going to lose sleep over their decision.

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Anthony Angotti
Real Estate Agent · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 846 votes
2y
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Quote from @Anthony Angotti:

It can get up there though....permit costs, plan check fees, school fees, etc. To do a build or large remodel was costing $50k and up (to the local Govt) on my projects,
Add in $30k for the Architect, $5k Engineering, $15k Designer and the customer was at $100,000 before I pulled out my hammer....

For sure, my main point there was that the local government thinks it costs you only $300-500 for some permits which shouldn’t be a problem, but they fail to recognize the engineer and the architect they require for something relatively minor might costs $10,000+
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Leonardo Chandler
Member since 2024 · 17 posts · 7 votes
2y
Some home owners allow unrefinished work to be done out of a desire to save time and money. The absence of permits can speed up the completion process and reduce the cost of permitting procedures. But this can lead to negative consequences in the future, such as fines, difficulties in selling and increased security risks.
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