Remodeling projects that require a permit in San Antonio
What are remodeling permits?
Remodeling permits are legal documents obtained from the local government that give you permission to change or remodel your house. There are certain rules and laws that cover what can be done and how it can be done when remodeling a house in San Antonio. These rules are for the safety of the house occupants.
The homeowner, not the contractor, is responsible for getting work permits. Sometimes, the contractor will take care of the permit as part of their services, but the homeowner should always be certain that it’s taken care of properly and completely. Ask to see the permit.
What home improvements require permits?
You need permits from the San Antonio government for most major changes to your house, including:
-
Roofing
-
Additions
-
Electrical work
-
Moving sinks or toilets and replacing pipes
-
New HVAC system
-
Removing walls or ceilings
-
Building a deck or patio
-
Some fencing
-
Basement and foundation work
Furthermore, some building permits and permits for renovations require time to examine. According to the San Antonio residential permits webpage, “New homes, room additions over 1000 square feet, and any 2-story addition (regardless of the size) require a review by our Plans Examiners. This review typically takes three business days. Please note, your project may require multiple permits such as building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing based upon the scope of your project.”
The website also has a list of work that doesn’t require a permit. If in doubt about permits for updates on your house, call the Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center at 210-207-1111.
Different types of required permits in San Antonio
As noted, the various types of permits for remodeling are mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building.
-
Mechanical permits are required for work like heating, cooling, and ductwork.
-
Electrical permits cover any electrical jobs in the house, such as setting up wiring.
-
Plumbing permits are needed for moving sinks, toilets, drains, and pipes.
-
Building permits should be pulled for any demolition, enlarging, altering, or repairing of a house.
The cost of permits for renovation in San Antonio depends on the type of permit.
Can you sell a house without permits in San Antonio?
Selling a house in San Antonio can be more challenging if remodeling projects were done without permits, even if those projects were done before you bought the house. By law, you must disclose any unpermitted work to a buyer. Mortgage lenders typically won’t finance a house that has had unpermitted remodel projects. In fact, unpermitted work can be fined by the city and result in your homeowner’s insurance being dropped.
If you decide to set everything right, you’ll have to pay for the proper permits. Frequently, the unpermitted work must be redone with a retroactive permit.
How to sell your house “as is” with unpermitted work
Fortunately, it is possible to sell your San Antonio house with unpermitted house renovations. We Buy Ugly Houses® buys houses with all sorts of issues, from leaky roofs to old wiring and unpermitted house repairs. Furthermore, we give fair cash offers and close fast.
Just contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our friendly San Antonio property specialists. We’ll meet you at your house, answer your questions and take a tour. We can often give you a fair cash offer the same day. If you decide to accept our offer, we will work with you to schedule a quick closing date that works for your selling timeline. If you need more time, we can usually accommodate your schedule.
We Buy Ugly Houses has been in business since 1996 and has bought over 140,000 houses since then. We have a 95%* customer satisfaction rating and great reviews from our sellers. Contact us to see how we can help you sell your San Antonio house that has unpermitted work.
