The city is going to be happy to inspect, especially since there isn't a permit. Expect to see a big red tag after they do (Stop Work Order). Never let mechanical contractors cut wood.

x2 what Joe said... Get permit out and have all work inspected, you will also need a building permit since you opening soffit and walls and also electrical if you moving/adding lights or outlets, etc.

It will set the project back a week give or take but you will not lose any sleep down the road.

Good luck

The municipalities in which we work assess a penalty when permits are applied for/issued after work has begun. The problems you've experienced are fixable, but will likely require you to get out your check book.

Good contractors do things the right way irrespective of whether a permit is required. They're just not likely to be the your low bidder. Like most things, you get what you pay for.

"Only a fool doesnt doesn’tpull a permit. You’ll never sell the house without it."

In much of the country, there is absolutely no truth to this. The prevalence and enforcement of permitting is very much a local norm. In my area, none of the "flippers" are getting permits and it doesn't change the sales price at all. I have sold two homes in the last year and noted that there was unpermitted work in both and both had offers above asking in less than 72 hours and they were priced high to start.

I recently installed a new water heater and called to schedule an inspection. The plumbing inspector asked me three questions and said he would go ahead and send me the sticker.

I believe in getting work inspected and permitted when appropriate. I don't get a permit to change a light fixture (which is required in most areas). I am not endorsing or encouraging that view, but I am saying that the dire repercussions are not accurate in many areas.

"The prevalence and enforcement of permitting is very much a local norm."

That's true, but a flipper in Florida had better live in his renovated home for a year after his CO before selling, or he's contracting without a license. Any realtor here who didn't check for unpermitted work or incomplete permits on a sale would be unprofessional.

There is a thousand dollar fine for making $100,000 in profit. Color me terrified...

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Just for perspective there is $100,000 fine for owner occupied restriction for HUD homes and I know people who ignore that even.

Thank you for all your advice. A little more background info. My plumber/repiper is licensed and bonded and isn’t a low bidder either. Most repipe jobs in my area for the size of my house are all around the same price. We picked him because he had done one of our neighbors’ house with an almost identical kitchen configuration. Our neighbor also happened to have a gut job remodel after the repipe, something that I had mentioned to our sales rep who devised a plan to go around the outside perimeter of the kitchen across the joists rather than dropping everything into the soffits from inside the kitchen. We skipped the permit/inspection because of the city backlog due to Covid, like everyone else who is repiping during the pandemic. Also, we would like to keep the 2 handle shower valve in one of the baths, something that might not pass the inspection. The repiping company knocked $200 (the cost of the inspection) off the final bill. At the time, we thought it was a no brainer to save time and a little bit of money. In hindsight, it was a huge mistake.

Bruce in Northern Virginia,

Thx for the great advice! No electrical or wiring were removed, it was a strict repipe job with PEX. Should I apply for the permit myself or ask the Plumber/Repiper to apply it and tag the $200 back that he knocked off from the bill for the permit? Would it raise a red flag when homeowners apply for permits on their own?

G.N. Builder,

I believe for my county, I only have to apply a building permit that includes plumbing and opening drywalls?? Would it raise a red flag when homeowners apply for permits on their own?

Pull the permit. Let's say you do live an area where not pulling permits is a norm. All the more reason to do . Announcing you are pulling permits will be a big signal flare that you intend to have things done right and will pay for it.

Danielle, You mean apply for the permit by myself? Can I now request the plumber to pull it for me, which was an option given to me, but I was talked out of it due to possible prolonged delays related to Covid and some compliance issues with a 2 handle shower valve as explained in my 2nd post above. thx!