HOUSE ADDITIONS PERMIT

JU

The assessors basically do a walk around and measure the thing--I spent time arguing with them on the size--they wouldn't even believe the construction blue prints.

Other states could even care less. My brother in law built his own house in Kentucky in the hills, he was originally from MI, only to find out the only permit and inspection he needed was an electrical. The logic there was, they didn't care if the house fell on him, but the electrical affected the rest of the people on the power system.

Go figure.

JU

My own attitude about this is casual, like JJBUTSON's. I have seen a ton of illegal additions (and been complicit in 1 or 2) in the last 35 years. What I have never actually seen is someone have a serious problem on account of it. Not through inexperience, either; I have been paid by title insurance companies for damages due to flaws in title, not once, but twice.

On the other hand, what T-Bone, and Dr.Sportster say is surely relevant. Virtually all my own experience has been in a few towns and counties that I have found to be surprisingly friendly and helpful. A different local government might view its citizens as subjects, existing for the good of the rulers, mainly sources of tax money and fines.

Sometimes you can get the information you need indirectly, when going right to the source might put a big spotlight on the problem at hand. Title officers, real estate brokers, county clerks, etc. often know a lot about what is going on, and will share their knowledge if they are not specifically involved.

When I need to buy or sell a piece of property with problems, I take it for granted that it will require a real estate contract and not a bank. I never had to worry about satellites, though, I have to admit.

Good luck

Lew

I agree, get it worked out before you buy. I was in the Planning and Zoning(P&Z) office when a call came in about a neighbors house that had been sold (I knew the original owner). Same thing a illegal addition.

Building inspector said tuff luck to the new owner as to getting the addition upto code. You bought it, you live with it, was the attitude.

Here the County Assesor office keeps total square footage on file but gets the actual deminsions from P&Z or if there's been a illegal addition will issue an order for a new square footage total. They in turn will issue a high construction cost estimate for collecting prorperty taxes due and past due taxes.

If someone runs there mouth with anyone then a Building inspector will come out (they may do that anyway) to inspect the building. No permit is double the orginal premit cost in most cases plus a very tuff inspection, ie; dig holes for foundation inspection, remove electrical receptical covers, spot dig buried lines or sewer connections, knock holes in the wall, etc. The more the mouth runs the more inspection that is required and they can demand they completely remove the structure.

Here farms more than 20a do not need a building permit but they do require a State registered engineer seal on the plans. The County Assesor will then measure the building for tax assesment.

Another concern is wheather the the sub-contractors got paid. If the people screwed the County they will usually screw everyone else.

During our recent new "private" commuinty well construction the State Water Dept changed there mind and required us to get a engineer approval of the buried water lines. That cost us $7,000 after the fact. Probably due to a guy with a large mouth working on the project.

You can click on the link below to see a satellite view of most homes. Our County uses this to track new upgrades on property. Pay close attention to the dates on the image as you zoom in/out.

T_Bone

• Satillie Image

Likely to be easy to fix with a bit of money: permit fees, inspection fees, and back taxes. You want the seller to pay, not you. Or at least know what it will cost and figure that into your offer.