Converting ranch to high ranch

[Shannon X.]

I don't know anything about the conversions of houses, but I wanted to ask; in order to actually convert a ranch to a Hi ranch do you need to get some permits and see if local codes allow for this, or could you just get a contractor and do it? I'm sure this is a very silly question. I'm also asking this question here for the second part, has anyone ever done this as a flip or could it be worth it?