By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
I recently added a full bathroom in my home by combining two walk-in closets. This was done without a building permit, but a good friend who is a licensed electrician performed all of the construction. Soon, I plan to list the house for sale and am wondering what questions buyers may raise about the new bathroom. What is your advice in this regard?
--Shumei
Dear Shumei,
A question very likely to arise when you sell your home is "Do you have a building permit for the bathroom?" If there was no permit, buyers will wonder if the work was properly done, regardless of assurances from your electrician friend. Although he may be qualified to perform expert electrical work, what about the various other aspects of the construction - particularly the plumbing. Are the drains vented through the roof? Are the traps properly configured? And how about room ventilation? Is there an openable window or an exhaust fan?
These are among the various requirements that would have been verified by the municipal building inspector if you had taken out a permit. They are also likely to be considered by the home inspector, once you find a buyer. But regardless of the work quality, a building permit is required by law, and lack of a permit could complicate your sale and engender liability problems in the future. A prudent course of action would be to apply for an as-built permit before you sell the home. A dose of expense and inconvenience now could spare you greater headaches later.
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