Should I pull permit for new roof? additional stipulations apply-

Question

Hi, I recently bought a triplex in Florida that was built in 1920. If anyone here knows real estate in FL 1920 is super old and there is obviously a ton of damage to the property. It needs a new roof, this is my first time replacing a roof. I am debating, should I pull a permit? I know it is the "right" thing to do, but I am worried that if the inspector goes to the property they are going to start citing me for a million other issues with the property and I am going to open a can of worms for myself. I guess my real question here is...

1. Is it completely necessary to pull a permit for a roof, do like 50% people not do this?

2. When pulling a permit does an inspector come out, and start checking out the condition of the property in general?

3. What would you do in this situation?

John Thedford · Answer

Yes..pull a permit. You COULD be fined, forced to get a permit, or possibly even be required to tear it off and start over. Permits are cheaper than going the other route in the long run, and there will be a record of when it was installed if you ever want to sell and want to promote the benefits of purchasing the property.

William Howley · Answer

ok guys I think the general consensus here is 100% yes get permit for roof, so that is what I'm going to do! Thanks to all who contributed!

Taye N. · Answer

Hey is what you do. Dont do any construction yet. Do your roof first and finish it. Inspectors do not go into the house for roof inspections. Inspectors do not force you to fix anything unless it an apparent danger or safety concern.

Shawn F. Kiesling · Answer

2 examples/situations:1- I installed a new A/C unit at our primary residence. 2 months later had an electrician pull a permit for a new interior and exterior panel box. Elec inspector came for the inspection of the panel boxes and placed his clipboard ontop of our bright, shiny, new A/C unit to fill out the paperwork. Basically, he was there to inspect electrical, not A/C and he had a long list of other appointments to make. Plus he has a life outside of work, presumably. However, most a/c units are much smaller than a roof and ours, in particular, is behind our fence. 2- I bought 2 old 1928 house recently. 1 of them has some real pretty new metal roofing. Problem is, NO permit record for the reroof. 2 old layers of shingles are present under the newer metal. No leaks present, but I can't, for the life of me, find an insurance company to insure that property, because of the "lack of proof of the age of the roof", "lack of permit history", "was it installed properly", etc, etc. Point:If its small, and relatively out of sight, AND, I do not plan to sell anytime soon, I may skip a permit. NEVER skip a permit on a roof. Besides the insurance issue, a roof is big and its hard to BS that you did not put a new roof up if you do get caught. Tastefully cover your windows, and leave the doors locked. My 2 cents.

Crystal Smith · Answer

The 1st thing I would do is check with the building department on the requirements for pulling a permit for a roof. We've worked in some cities where the permit was required if you completely tearing off the old roof and replacing but it wasn't required if you were going to just going to put new shingles over the old shingles. Find out the requirement 1st. Assuming you're not going to do the roofing yourself then hire a licensed roofer to do the job. It will be his responsibility to get the permit and when there's an inspection it should be limited to the roof because they will be dealing w/ the roofer.

Federico Gutierrez · Answer

How are the city inspectors in your city?Have you weighed up the pros and cons?I would say just do it, makes life simple if your city is super tight and has city inspectors floating around.

Patrick Philip · Answer

Absolutely 100%.Technically, the contractor should pull it.If you want to get away with stuff, try it on smaller items like plumbing fixtures, not a roof.I had a handyman replace my electrical panel without a permit, but this was in my own residence, not a flip. I would advise doing everything legally in flips.

Andrew Holmes · Answer

@William HowleyThere are two considerations. 1. Permit and what else it can open in terms of the city2. Liability if someone fall off your roof and get's hurt and whole lot of can of worms if no permits were pulled. Any properties where there is a higher risk associated with the job always pull a permit or at least hire a licensed roofer. If he does not pull the permit then some of the liability and headache is his. Just make sure before the roofer begins work he gives you a certificate of insurance and you are named on it. This is routinely done for such jobs. Very easy and your roofer will know when you ask him to provide a copy of his certificate of insurance and put you on as additionally insured. Here is Chicago suburbs the cities are pretty strict and to get aways with a roof job with out a permit is tough. Not saying people don't it but we try to avoid it. Usually in my experience if they are just coming out for a roof inspection in Chicago atleast all they care is if there is a roof and ice sheild that is installed rest they pretty much leave you alone. In most suburbs here they do not even come out. All they want it the permit fees but if you don't they will certainly fine you and stop all work and now you a bigger can of worms.

Will Barnard · Answer

If the interior of the home is in very poor condition and you intend on replacing or gutting and rehabbing, you need a permit for it all anyways. Roof permits are typically over the counter and if you don't need to replace any sheathing, then all you need is the one inspection. On that day, you can keep all the doors and windows locked up, have nobody working that day, get your roof signed off, and away he goes.That said, if you are doing major interior work, you need permits orvrisk getting sued later by your next buyer or getting caught by city and incur treble fines.

Ian Savage · Answer

No matter if you are paying or the roofer is paying for the permit just go ahead and get it. All it takes is one time when he drives by and sees a dumpster and 5 guys on the roof... He can pull up and ask for the permit, or in some counties he can sit in his truck on his computer and check to see if you pulled it. If you get caught, he calls his buddies and they have a feeding frenzy on all the code violations you may have. You now face more money, lost time and an inspector that will watch your every move!Lastly, depending on the work needed have your scope of work clearly demand all permits and fees will be covered by each trade accordingly.