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Building Department InspectionRepeat after me, "The building department is my friend".This is the attitude you need to be successful at flipping. If you plan to fight the building department at every turn, be prepared to be cut off at some distant pass where your paper work will be incorrect and need major time and money to repair. There will also be fines for working without permits. Be sure of that.Start right off, even before you buy the property, by visiting the building department. Tell them about what you plan to do. Try for an appointment with a building official, or an inspector is even better, to discuss what you're planning to do.Since you do not own the property yet, you can't request a courtesy inspection. But if the property is vacant, you can request that the owner of the property schedule a building department inspection. Listen to what an inspector will want to see done based on your plan.Leave this meeting with a clear understanding of what permits will be needed, what the cost will be, if there are impact fees, and if drawings and architect forms are needed. Also get a clear understanding of a timeline for submission of permit requests, through obtaining permits, to inspection schedules.The building department will be a major player in the flip. Involve them early.If you plan to do all the work without permits, be sure not to use a dumpster, do not leave piles of trash in front of a property, and do not hire licensed contractors. All of these activities will be a neon sign to the building department to stop by and ask to see your permits. Oh, and neighbors may call the building department if they see major work going on next door. Beat the rush. Meet an inspector before you buy. And follow their requirements so you can avoid adding fines to your building cost. That way your bottom line will be a nicer amount.
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Prepared 2006-2011 David Ullian Larson
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