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Buying with unpermitted work: cost and risk

Tell us what part has no permit and what you plan to do. See a cost range, the value at risk, the lender and title flags, and a credit to ask for.

sqft
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sqft
Cost to legalize estimate
$0
Value at risk
$0
Credit to ask for
$0
Flags to know
Ranges are estimates, not quotes. Get an as-built quote from a designer and a contractor, and ask the city about fees, before you remove your contingencies.

Next steps

  1. Not sure it's unpermitted yet? Score it first: T282 Is part of this home unpermitted?
  2. Pull the permit history on the city portal: T281 Look up permits by city.
  3. Ask the seller in writing before your contingency runs out: T287 Questions to ask the seller.
  4. Going to legalize? The steps, papers and city penalties: T284 Legalizing unpermitted work.

Many people get this wrong: "Legalizing only costs the permit fee." No. You pay for as-built plans, opening walls so the inspector can see, and fixing whatever doesn't meet today's code. For an ADU that adds up to $20K–$200K+. The permit fee is the small part.

Ask Ken Watch 15-sec video

Email these numbers to yourself

The cost range, value at risk and flags go in the email. Ken replies if you have a question. No spam.

Or text: 408-666-2825