I'm a first-time homebuyer looking to renovate a bathroom in my 50-year-old house in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've been getting quotes from licensed contractors who warned me that I might be held responsible for unpermitted work the previous owner did, specifically in an adjacent bathroom. I'm also worried that the inspectors might find other code issues like plumbing or electrical that need to be addressed. If they suggest major upgrades, do I have to do those right away, or can I choose to wait on some of them? Has anyone here dealt with a similar situation?
3 Answers
In the Bay Area, you might have to fix everything that's not up to code. If the previous owner did some work without a permit, the inspectors typically won't make you tear things out unless it's really unsafe. But they can point out issues. They also usually don’t bother you if they see you've just moved in and it’s clear the old work has been around for a long time.
When permits are involved, inspectors are allowed to flag other violations they come across. Typically, if the violations were from a previous owner, they might not fine you, but they may require compliance with certain codes. It's frustrating but they focus on safety. It's good to know the reasoning behind all these regulations, even if they seem excessive.
Technically speaking, you might have to obtain permits and prove that the unpermitted bathroom work complies with current code. Whether or not the inspector chooses to pursue this mostly depends on whether they notice it at all. If you decide not to renovate after the inspection, I don't think they can force you to tackle every issue unless it's a safety hazard or issue that needs immediate attention.