Got screwed by unlicensed contractor! Need permits help!

[Andy Li]

Hello everyone! This is my technically my 3rd flip but the first 2 weren't really true flips (literally called home depot and lowes to replace carpet and cabinetry.) This was a major rehab with new HVAC and new Water heater. I hired a general contractor who turned out to be unlicensed and did a decent job but was terrible at the paperwork. So I had the township come by to inspect and told me I needed permits for the HVAC and water heater. I have gotten no luck in getting a contractor to finish the job. Anyone knows of a good contractor that's willing to do this job?

[John Errico]

@Andy Li where is this project? I'm a contractor and own a construction business, but am located in North Jersey. Sounds like you mostly need a plumber and/or an HVAC contractor (depending on the township, the trade that signs for an HVAC could be a separate HVAC contractor, a plumber, an electrician, or even a general contractor) to apply for permits. You probably wouldn't need a "general" contractor, who (like me), would subcontract plumbing/electrical/HVAC work, though some towns permit HVAC work to be put on a general "building" permit.

I'm not entirely sure what plumbing and HVAC work the previous contractor did but you may (sometimes) have issues with plumbers and HVAC guys taking over or signing off on work done by previous contractors that they can't or don't want to put their name behind (or they may charge you more simply for doing this)... depends on the company/person, and on the nature of the work done. It may help if there is other/more work for them to do, beyond simply signing off on a permit. 

The process is probably going to take a little time: you'll have to apply for the permit, then (likely, depending on the nature of the work you did/are doing) have a "rough" inspection (that the contractor will take), and, then, after finishing the work, have a "final" inspection (that the contractor will also take) to close out the permits. I've waited multiple weeks for permits to be approved, multiple weeks for inspections to be scheduled, etc. In a worst case scenario, you may also need to submit plans for the HVAC or plumbing work to get the permit issued... but, again, depends on what you did.

Good luck!