Questionable Building Permit

[alligatorob]

Florida.
I recently had over 100k in major rennovations done by a licensed contractor. I do not believe he obtained the proper building permits. In fact during the construction he told me that he did not, and I know something about the requirements and I am fairly sure he did not. This is a beach house and permits are required both from the county and the Florida DEP. After the work was done I found a copy of the posted permit and it looks like all he got was a permit from the county for "repairs"and nothing from DEP. The work has been done for 6 months.

What is my liability? To be honest I don't care personally about the permits and so far no one has said anything. I am otherwise happy with the work. My question is about my longer term liability if the unpermitted work is discovered.

 

[HomeGuru]

Have the DEP do an inspection and apply for an after-the-fact permit.

 

[alligatorob]

follow up

Thanks but I need to tell you more. Florida DEP permits are expensive (up to $2500 or maybe more) and their building requirements Draconian. It is possible that the new construction does not meet their standards (this would be for environmental not strutural reasons). Not a can of worms I want opened. In addition I suspect that the additional square feet in the house will raise my valuation and property taxes. So I have some interest in letting sleeping dogs lie. I am just trying to figure out what my risks are in doing that.

 

[HomeGuru]

Liability is yours. The DEP can demand that you knock down the entire new construction because it is illegal.
I suggest you can them and ask questions but do not give your name or address.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

. . . and then there's the hassle and a half when you try to sell the property. Good luck when that day comes.

IAAL

 

[HomeGuru]

My response:

. . . and then there's the hassle and a half when you try to sell the property. Good luck when that day comes.

IAAL

That's right. Worse that wrestling a 15 foot 500 pound pissed off gator.

 

[tfa675]

After the fact permit

Have the DEP do an inspection and apply for an after-the-fact permit.

Can you expand upon an after the fact permit? A similar situation on just happened to me in Fulton County, GA.

 

[HomeGuru]

Re: After the fact permit

Can you expand upon an after the fact permit? A similar situation on just happened to me in Fulton County, GA.

**A: please start your own thread.

 

[rdhd]

I have dealt with the Florida DEP. If you call anonymously, use a pay phone and disguise your voice.

 

[HomeGuru]

I have dealt with the Florida DEP. If you call anonymously, use a pay phone and disguise your voice.

**A: why the need for covert operatives? The writer just needs to call and say, "Hi Florida DEP, I/m alligatorbob calling"