They found a cavity in the foundation with the cash mentioned in used twenty-dollar bills with random serial numbers wrapped in opaque plastic food wrap, and a sealed Home Depot Homer bucket behind it.

If you wish, you can get a permit for your primary and not use it.

Also, if the Builder had to pull permits from the town, they may have had to show proof of insurance and that may be on file. 

Because they were a coffee cart, they were self permitted and didn't require anything from me but nice seating and wifi.

Unfortunately, my father did not pull permits when he built both properties 18 years ago.

And perhaps streamlining permitting/etc a bit.

I was able to negotiate a package that included the land, some of the materials, and the permits to build it.

A quick Google search shows a price of $30 - $50 per sq.ft. but I don't know if that includes the land, permits, utilities, and other incidentals. 

Tax Benefits While Building- Create an LLC and pay start up costs through the LLC (architect fees, permit fees, etc.).

I come from the Poconos, PA market and have helped at least 30 clients coordinate hot tub installs in the last year.Q1 Opinion*: Typically when underwriting property for buyer and mgmt clients, I'd give them a round number of $10k to assume for hot tub purchase / install / permits /foundation /electrical.