Hello,
Just curious about permits and from what I've read it is the homeowners responsibility to get the required permits and they will be fined if they are working without one, correct?
My question is will a contractor or diy'er be held responsible for anything if he is the one doing the work and no permit has been pulled? Like being fined or facing serious legal action?
Asking for someone who is going through a process now.
Thanks
You are right - who ever is doing the work is responsible for permits. You can check with your local city planning.
So the homeowner is responsible for permits, not the person he hired to do the work correct? And all fines and legal action will be against the homeowner.
Hi Jay,
It depends of what type of permits. Electrical permits or ESA safety certificates will always be pulled by a licensed electrical contractor. Or if the home owner is doing his/her own electrical work in their own home.
If it comes to permits regarding, building/plumbing/HVAC that can once again be left to the home owner or contractor.
What's the reason you need to know who's responsible? For more clarification.
Kind Regards
Scott Lawson
Well I wouldn't like to get into to much detail but a buddy is re framing an exterior wall for a home owner who is not going to be getting a permit and for my own reference as well I would like to know who is responsible if somehow an inspector or building authority came and put a stop work order and face fines of whatever I'm just wondering if the homeowner would be held accountable and the person doing the work wouldn't be held accountable for nothing.
To answer your question. It is both of your responsibilities to make sure there's permits where needed. If your a contractor doing the work you no your suppose to have a permit.
Speaking from experience as I'm was 80% done this basement and someone called the city. Me and the home owner both new we needed permits but didn't want to pay the money grab. All in all we now have our permits $4200.00 later on my end and $2100.00 later on the home owner end we can now start working again. Was it worth it NO. I would get the permits if I were you.
See and I have had people tell me it is all on the homeowner. Even for basements which ive also been told that you only need a permit if it requires structural work.
My friend, I don't know you I don't benefit one bit feeding you a line of crap. I can post my fines on here and the notice to comply and current permit we just got on Friday.
If your doing the work your just a guilty as the home owner for not making sure you have the permit.
It's not worth it for the 10 days you have to wait and the $250.00 give or take (all depending what your doing) that you pay for the permit.
Get the permit. I'm speaking from experience as I just went through it. The fines were not worth it one bit. I will never again not pull a permit where it's needed cause now I'm out $4200.00.
No I understand what your saying its just everywhere I'm reading it keeps saying that it is the homeowners responsibility to get the permit but a contractor can get it on there behalf, but if one is not obtained why is it not all on the homeowner to pay fines especially in your case as well.
Above it has already been properly explained how the permit process works for electrical work. As for everything else, there is the following expression: "You can only paint without a permit". That expression may not be entirely accurate but, it is awfully close to being so. All professional contractors should know better about what needs a permit and what doesn't. The rules usually say something like " No work shall be performed...". It's the contractor performing the work and not the homeowner. Hence he/she is breaking the law and hence he/she is responsible. This day and age all of that information is just a phone call away. So there is nothing stopping you from calling your building department to get the correct answer and putting and end to all of your he said she said. It is your responsibility to be an informed consumer.
Ok so if the work is already done no permit was pulled how will the person that did the work for the homeowner be held responsible? Especially if hes not a licensed contractor and just doing home renovations for people, which in Ontario you do not need to be licensed except for plumbing and electrical. Makes me mad because everywhere I read it says the homeowner is responsible for the permits and making sure everything is done in proper accordance, so why would a contractor or someone doing the work be held responsible if it is the homeowners responsiblility. As I have seen on Ontario building websites, Canada building websites and even people on here have said this as well.
It always depend on the situation and the type of work performed.
Both home owner and contractor are liable and can get fined. It's very simple. It's the homeowner responsibility and the contractor is breaking the law by working without having the proper documentations
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