Contractor did not pull permit. What are my options?

[Simon Stahl]

Hi

I am in the midst of a rehab in Sacramento. The goal is to fix the place up and sell it. The work includes electrical update, plumbing, new kitchen, new bath, removal of one interior wall and addition of another interior wall. I've told my contractor multiple times that I want everything to be up to code and he needs to pull the building permit. He said he would, but then ended up not doing it anyways. 

At this point, the electrical and plumbing is done. The walls are up and the place is painted inside and outside. Getting a permit now seems hard and expensive. What are my options? I would really like it to be up to code, but I also don't want to tear up all the walls again.

Simon

[Carson Wilcox]

I would go talk to the building department and find out what they do.  No need to ID yourself.  Maybe ask about a "friend"  or that you want to buy a house that you know had work with no permits... how can you get it legal?  They might surprise you.  

They WANT you to get right... in Davis.  they just inspect, and if it looks ok, they bang you for 2x the fees. a steal.  Or they might say oh you are screwed... and then you walk and wing it.