I am curious about this as well. I just remodeled my kitchen, (put in new cabinets, new counters, and a new floor). Should I have gotten a permit? How would a building inspector find out? Will this be a big deal when I want to condo convert in a year or two?

Xiao,

A lot of what they will make you do (or not do) depends on the Inspector. Your best case scenario is that they make you get the permits after the fact and not tear anything down. But they could. For example, when we were demolishing an illegal rental in a building we owned, the Inspector was initially going to make us tear all the drywall down so he could see the wiring, but our contractor (who knew the inspector) was able to talk him out of it.

If you had a contractor do it he/she should know better. If not, I suggest you hire one who knows the people at the building department as that would be your best shot at this point. We work regularly with contractors both for our own projects as well as clients, and I would be happy to provide you a reference for someone who is good and you can trust will do and tell you the right thing.

Best Regards,

Lance King/Managing Broker
415.722.5549 Cell
lance@fixedrateproperties.com

Hi Xiao,

Excellent answers by the San Francisco Real Estate Agents. At this point, it may be in your best interest to hire a state licensed contractor to consults regularly with the city building inspecting department. I work with a fantastic gentleman who I can recommend.

Please feel free to contact me for his contact information.

James Testa
Paragon Real Estate Group
415.515.6097
jtesta@paragon-re.com

Xiao,

If you paid a contractor to do this work they should have advised you of the correct procedures, taken care of obtaining a permit and avoided this sinerio.

Xiao, first, and I hate to do this to a fellow realtor, but the answer from Dallas should not be considered. In fact, when it comes to very local situations like this, advice or comments from agents who are so far away are erroneous at best.

Jed is correct. The best way is to contact the building permit department and WORK WITH THEM. If there is a fine involved, you can also speak with them about that. You may want to have a state licensed contractor assist you as well.

Good luck.

The building department can make you take it all out but more likely you will have to pay for a permit, have the inspections, bring any work not done to code up to code and pay a fine. The fine can be up to three times the amount of the initial permit.

They could with any remolding based on what is taking place example paint or changing out counter tops, florring, lighting, would not require permit. Did you remodel yourself or hire a contractor? If did hire a contractor who knows city permit restrictions should have known these regulations. You will most likely have to pay a fine, if not handled correctly city could lien your property.