Building permit question - City of L.A. (insurance, houses)

[richie894]

We recently started a master bath remodel. We did not move any plumbing and just basically re-did the shower, made the door smaller from 32" to 30" and installed a new vanity. Our contractor said we did not need a building permit, but we took one out anyway to be safe. Well it has turned out to be a nightmare, the City Inspector is finding fault with every small thing and it is taking weeks to complete a 1 week job.

We are thinking of just abandoning the permit and just completing the job without the permit and not call the Inspector back. I understand that our only problem would be that we would get a $400 fine if a neighbor complains to the city, which I am happy to pay. Does anyone know if this is correct? I certainly don't want to have to do anything in a few months time, so the City can check the work.

Also would it cause problems when we sell in a few years, if we took the permit out and never completed it (as long as all the work is up to code)?

I certainly appreciate any advice which anyone may be able to give.

[JTGJR]

Anything that is not permitted or up to code must be disclosed when you sell the property. You would then be compelled to pay for the upgrade to code, as well as city fines. If you don't disclose them, you would be open to a lawsuit and liable for any losses incurred by the purchasing party. The city inspector is not holding things up. Your contractor is holding things up by not completing the work to code. Your choice, pay now or pay later.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

My impression is that L.A. is a nightmare when it comes to permits for altering your home. I wouldn't be surprised if over half of the houses in L.A. violate codes in some way.

[streetscenes]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

The city inspector is not holding things up. Your contractor is holding things up by not completing the work to code. Your choice, pay now or pay later.

I agree with this. Your problem now is that you have an open permit that shows some work completed but the project not finished. This will not just go away if you decide to not call the inspector back. If you or another owner wants to alter the house in the future the building department will want to see the bathroom project.

You did the right thing by insisting on getting a permit. Now make your contractor work for his money and get the project completed correctly.

[CALGUY]

Something else to consider;
If God forbid, there is a fire in your house, your insurance company will investigate if any recent alterations to the house were made, and if they were done with permits.
If they find work was not up to code, you can kiss any re-embersment good-bye.
Just an idea here, if you have cable or satelite, you might want to watch HGTV and in particular, "Income property"
They do some pretty expansive remodels and ALWAYS show the importance of getting permts.
Bob.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by richie894

We recently started a master bath remodel. We did not move any plumbing and just basically re-did the shower, made the door smaller from 32" to 30" and installed a new vanity. Our contractor said we did not need a building permit, but we took one out anyway to be safe. Well it has turned out to be a nightmare, the City Inspector is finding fault with every small thing and it is taking weeks to complete a 1 week job.

We are thinking of just abandoning the permit and just completing the job without the permit and not call the Inspector back. I understand that our only problem would be that we would get a $400 fine if a neighbor complains to the city, which I am happy to pay. Does anyone know if this is correct? I certainly don't want to have to do anything in a few months time, so the City can check the work.

Also would it cause problems when we sell in a few years, if we took the permit out and never completed it (as long as all the work is up to code)?

I certainly appreciate any advice which anyone may be able to give.

You have to see it through. They will hound you slowly but surely for years.

Have the contractor work with the inspector and do what he wants so it gets done correctly. Usually the inspectors are pretty easy going if the contractor knows his trade and the code.

The next time you want to do some small home improvement you will remember...... : )