Structural repair permits

We will not tell you what your local rules are, because they differ by city and county and change. Anyone who tells you "no permit needed" without checking your jurisdiction is guessing, and it's your house, not theirs, that gets the unpermitted-work problem at resale.

How to find out. Search for your city or county building department's permit page, or call them. Describe the actual work: "installing steel piers under a slab foundation," "replacing a load-bearing beam," "anchoring a bowing basement wall." They will tell you whether a permit is required and what documents they need.

Why you want the permit. It brings an independent inspector to look at work that will be buried. It creates a public record you can show a buyer. And unpermitted structural work is one of the more common deal problems in a home sale.

Who pulls it. Make this explicit in your contract. A contractor pulling the permit in their name carries the responsibility; a homeowner-pulled permit shifts it to you. Also confirm who arranges inspections and who pays if work must be redone to pass.

How to choose

Ask the building department, not the contractor

One of them is a neutral authority. Call before you sign.

Put permit responsibility in the contract

Name who applies, who schedules inspections, and who pays for corrections.

Budget for engineered drawings

Today's Homeowner puts engineering plans at $400-$5,000 per drawing sheet and a PE stamp at up to $500 in 2026.

Keep the closed-out permit

An open permit is a problem at sale. Confirm final inspection is signed off before final payment.