Finishing An Attic Without A Permit

With full home additions costing 75 000 minimum and usually far higher many homeowners search for creative ways to increase living space without overly decreasing their bank account.

Finishing an attic without a permit.

When a house is for sale and has a finished attic that didn t apply for a permit from the county how should you proceed with the sale. Here are some must do tips to follow when finishing your attic. Things you ll need rolled insulation razor blade knife staple gun with staples electrical wire electrical outlets plywood or composite sub flooring drywall drywall tape drywall mud mud blade paint paint brushes outlet and switch plate covers caulking baseboards flooring wire fasteners for insulation. If your attic roof currently has no window plan to add a window or two if space permits.

One way is by working within the home s existing footprint and converting the attic into living space. Unpermitted work is a blanket term that applies to any modifications made to the home that should have been permitted but were not. When done without proper planning or adherence to local building codes it can actually reduce the value of your home or stall a sale. If the contractor you are using is willing to do it without a permit then i wouldn t trust the contractor.

Finishing your attic can add space and utility and increase the value of your home as long as it s done properly. The question becomes what should you do as a buyer or seller when you find work that has been completed without permits. Authorities usually require bedrooms to have at least one window for safety purposes. You ll especially want windows if you plan to convert the attic into a guest room or spare bedroom in the future.

After almost completing her attic with a contractor the contractor never returned ignored her calls repeatedly and finally when she caught him on the phone he responded that he had no more time to complete the attic and if she will give him a hard time he will complain to the town that she is finishing her attic without a permit from the town. My answer is always a resounding yes if it is required. A permit protects you by making sure you get the proper inspections to proceed through each step of the contstruction as well as a final inspection. If what you are doing is.