Who is responsible for permits when hiring a contractor?
Contractor vs. Homeowner Responsibility
In most cases, the contractor you hire is responsible for pulling the required permits and scheduling inspections. This should be spelled out in your written contract. However, the permit is issued to the property owner, so if the contractor fails to pull it, you are the one who faces fines and complications.
Some contractors may ask you to pull the permit as a homeowner to save money or avoid liability. Be cautious: if you pull the permit, you are taking on the responsibility for the work meeting code, even if the contractor does it. If the contractor is unlicensed, they may not be able to pull permits at all.
Best Practices
Always have a written contract that clearly states who will obtain permits and pay for them. Ask for the permit number once it's issued and verify it with your local building department. Keep copies of all inspections and approvals.
If your contractor says no permit is needed, double-check with the building department yourself. Some contractors skip permits to save time or money, but the risk is yours. If you're unsure, consider hiring a licensed professional to review the contract and permit requirements.
- Put permit responsibility in the written contract.
- Verify the permit is pulled before work begins.
- Keep records of inspections and approvals.
- Don't let the contractor talk you into skipping permits.
- Check your contractor's license and insurance.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the contractor will handle everything without confirming in writing.
- Pulling the permit yourself without understanding you're taking on liability.
- Believing that a verbal promise to get permits is enough.
