At the same time, unless you have professional training and experience as an electrician, you could make mistakes that cause a fire hazard, disrupt your electrical service or otherwise put your family and home at risk. He had to go down to look at something though.). If there are any things discovered that do not meet code, they will need to be brought up to code, no permits or lack thereof are going to change that. A seller is required by law to disclose to potential buyers any remodeling/renovations done to the home. basically, you can do what you like in your own house as long as you are competent. What happens if a seller did not disclose unpermitted work? If youre in one of those two cities, work that is done without permits can turn into a big deal. If the city inspector discovers the unpermitted work, you could face fines or tax penalties for any unreported improvements. The very fact you know about it implies you have a moral obligation to repair the faults you know of prior to acting as a landlord. In order to perform this inspection, we need the permission of the owner. The costs associated with having to rip walls down to start over far outweigh the cost and inconvenience of getting a permit. In the future, remember to pull permits. Go to your local building department, and apply for a permit. for the bad work having been done previously, but there MAY be legal requirements compelling you to update/maintain a property you own up to applicable codes, save for parts that at least were up to code before codes changed and were grandfathered in. Without a permit, you may be subject to fines and penalties. Press J to jump to the feed. www.PermitsProtect.info Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater St. NW P.O. Correcting any issues as soon as possible is in everyones best interest from a financial and safety perspective. Sellers are supposed to disclose any unpermitted work, said Jonathan Sanchez, a real estate investor in Omaha, Nebraska, but Ive seen listings where the seller only allowed information-only inspections.. Electrical codes can vary from city to city, but, by and large, any electrical upgrades need to be done by a licensed electrician and will likely require a permit. The building inspector can fine you for not obtaining a permit. HELP. Read The Code Cited. Risk. We will make every effort to use a caulk that closely matches the color of the surrounding siding; however in some cases the holes may be noticeable upon close inspection. My job as a home inspector is not to research the history of a property to make sure the previous owners have pulled permits for everything theyve ever done at the house. Homeowners doing some types of unpermitted work themselves isnt usually a big deal, Angeli said, especially if they are experienced do-it-yourselfers. But it can become an issue later on if something goes wrong. That was several weeks ago and the house costs $570K+. Charger means a device with one or more charging ports and connectors for charging EVs. You then need a permit for demo. I cannot stress this enough. Depending on the laws where you live and the type of unpermitted work that was done, you could be responsible for thousands of dollars in penalties and repairs. You can have the permits checked off by the inspector for compliance as the contractor completes the project. Do you know the work was unpermitted or are you wondering if you need to verify the permit status? If no safety issues are discovered, unpermitted work wont matter. Title 4 - Counties. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 3.3 Option 3: Selling the House As-Is. He did not pull an electrical permit for the exposed electrical work in the basement. If you are selling your house with unpermitted work, pay 3 contractors to give you quotes on how much it would cost to redo the work with permits. House permits aren't cheap and the previous owner of the home might have not bothered with getting them in the first place. I know that if a home owner shows that they are making an effort to do things correctly and get permits, the code officials tend to be more lenient. In other words, if a fire starts as a result of unpermitted electrical work, your insurance company will likely refuse to cover the damage. Does homeowners insurance cover AC? or is unrelated to the permitted work, you should be fine. But if youre doing any major electrical work, its best to play it safe and get one. A building permit is an approval by a local governmental agency that certifies that work was performed to a certain standard. I did not perform the electrical work myself, but it was done by someone I believe was an electricians apprentice at the time. You should just get it inspected and have any deficiencies corrected before you buy it or you accept the deficiencies as is. If you dont mention any unpermitted work, the buyer may later sue you for compensation. 1. Before you buy a home with a questionable permit history, make sure you understand and are willing to accept the risks. It takes three simple steps to obtain a building permit for simple home projects. Heres a breakdown of what to do and how to remediate the situation. Sorry Matt, building permits and electrical permits here in ontario are not reliant upon each other. If you have to modify your homeowners insurance policy or change insurance companies, your insurance company could ask you for a Certificate of Occupancy. Then you might find yourself faced with not only the loss of your own home, but possibly millions in damages to third parties. 3.2 Option 2: Seek a Retroactive Permit. Things that will bring a permit into the discussion include size (if over 200 sq. We cannot perform the moisture testing requested by the buyers without this form being signed. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. However, without a permit, you do risk the sale of your home in the future. Has anybody ever heard of a code official making somebody rip out something that was up to code? A residential house does not require an "occupancy permit" unless it is a new construction. You should contact your local building and planning commission as soon as possible and explain your situation. The indirect cost will depend on how your project was constructed. You'll need an electrician license if you are working on electrical systems. In order to get permits after work is done, there must be an inspection of the work, repairs of any issues and then a permit will be issued. Youll need to know how to go about it and what electrical tasks are prohibited in your region. Contractors contact the office for you in most cases, but you are welcome to pull a permit without them. That dream can become a nightmare, however, if you buy a house with unpermitted work. There is usually no significant impact for failing to obtain a permit, but not always. I always come clean with where I obtained the information though, of course. speak with previous owners, neighbors, contractors or repair persons known to have performed work on the home to determine what was done and the approximate dates the work was performed; Homeowners who find that there was work done without permit by a previous owner must typically disclose this information to potential sellers. And you might be required by law to retroactively obtain permits to proceed with the sale, with the cost coming out of your pocket. A community dedicated to helping people with advice on personal home improvement projects. In my jurisdiction their ultimate 'nuke' is to make you tear out the additions, from there, they negotiate. Constructing a major addition without permits could scare off some interested buyers. Contractors will want work they touch to be up to code as well, but won't care about the rest of your house. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. It was built too close to the neighboring property. "Many times, insurance companies won't even accept a claim if the work at fault was done . Unpermitted construction can be problematic for a current or future property owner by affecting the resale value, causing additional cost to permit or demolish the unpermitted work, denial of insurance claims, possible civil or criminal prosecution, and . Is buying a house with unpermitted work a good idea? I might use the permit history to tell my clients when an addition was added on, or when the roof was last replaced. What is the best way to handle this? Unlike adding a new breaker, replacing a breaker is a repair, not an upgrade. I don't think they have much power to get you to fix something that is totally unrelated to the permit. How to search for unpermitted work before buying a house. I'm considering purchasing a house that had significant remodeling done a few years ago (kitchen and bathrooms incl. The fact that you just put it out on the internet makes it vital. Lawyer often in building court here. Something similar happened to us, the previous owners finished the basement without permits. . Bypassing the permit process may not seem like a big deal, but the consequences can be costly. You can use these quotes for negotiations later on. Why are Permits Required for Electrical Upgrades, You Could Affect Your Homes Resale Value, Will You Need a Permit to do Electrical Work in Your Own Home. These laws protect a purchaser from penalties or tax increases associated with the unpermitted work, so long as he or she had no knowledge of the issue when the house was purchased. In my experience, inspectors are not concerned too much with what were obviously old renovations, but if they see something that is obviously deficient, they sometimes will make you fix it, but usually only if it is a clear hazard. I'd like to piggy back on this thread and hope someone sees this. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Potential problems with unpermitted work can arise when you decide to sell a house. It is important to note that with the March 5 changes, minor work permits may be issued regardless of whether Since they cant enforce building codes, theres no way to ensure that all work done to a home over time was permitted. Should home inspectors recommend other professionals? Our home was built in 1991. If the certificate doesnt show structural changes that have been made, the insurance company can decline to cover the home because it is not code-compliant. Most unpermitted work is done without permits to save money. Vrai, je suis imbibe dans le Tim Horton, mais ne l'ai pas got la poutine. If the work done was not to code, it will have to be brought to code to be permitted. Issue a stop work order? If your contractor didn't get a building permit before starting construction on your home, you're responsible for securing a permit after the fact. You likely wont need a permit to replace an existing electrical outlet. Buying a house with unpermitted work can affect your home insurance and ability to seek repairs. Electrical codes vary from state to state. Not all sellers are up-front about work done without proper permits. It specifies the physical, electrical, and communication requirements of the connector and mating vehicle inlet for direct-current (DC) fast charging. Cease and desist what? Whatever method you choose to deal with the unpermitted work, its important to address the problem before the sale closes. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Residential electricians can: upgrading or relocating an electrical panel. We inspect everything the same way, whether permits were pulled for the work or not. As a buyer, you have a couple of options if you discover unpermitted work. (2) Pursuant to 28-213.1.1 of the Administrative Code, the penalty for work performed without a permit on a one-family or two-family dwelling (which includes inside a residential condominium or cooperative unit) is the greater of six times the amount of the current fee payable for the permit, but not more than $10,000, or $600. It might cost just a little more up front, but it will be one less thing to lose sleep over. Learn when to walk away after a home inspection. HELP. Good inspectors typically research permit history on properties as well, Angeli said. Sewer replacement: Any work involving sewer lines is likely to require a permit because of safety codes that must be met. Another option is to be sure you have an inspection contingency. There are water heater safety regulations that need to be observed. The unofficial answers I can find online (e.g., this forum and the websites of various towns) are all over the place, and apparently the answers one gets when calling town wiring inspectors also varies, so I am looking for an authorative source. Weapon damage assessment, or What hell have I unleashed? They don't demand you tear it down, so it gets left as an example to everyone as to what happens if you don't get a permit. If your contractor just wrapped up a renovation project at your house and you find out that it was done without a permit, you are responsible for footing the bill. I check the spacing between electrical outlets in the room, he said, because this is a good sign the work wasnt permitted. He works with plumbing and electrical contractors to help him complete his home inspections. Unpermitted work could also prevent you from getting a clear title, which means you might not be able to get a mortgage or close on your home. The inspector must also ensure that your home meets local building codes. Unfortunately, whoever winds up buying the . How do I refinish a bathroom ceiling after it got moldy and peeled? Regulation of Building Construction. A lighting upgrade can involve changing the wiring or adding new fixtures, both of which require permits and electrical inspections. Does a homeowner need to obtain a permit from the town in order to do electrical work on his own house in Massachusetts? Period. If the project is more complex, then a visual inspection may not be sufficient. Many cities do a presale inspection where the local building department inspects the property before issuing a stamp to record the deed, said Bill Samuel, owner of Blue Ladder Development in Chicago. The inspector will only approve modifications that they can visibly see. This applies especially to electrical and plumbing, trust me here! If you sell your home without the proper permits, the new owner could sue you for misrepresenting the property. Mine actually tells you straight up there's no Permit needed nor offered, even for removing asbestos shingles. Just get them to put it in writing that it passes. Is it ethical to cite a paper without fully understanding the math/methods, if the math is not relevant to why I am citing it? A reader recently emailed this question: "Our home was built in 1991. I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for not pulling a permit after the job is done. When you attempt to complete electrical rewires on your own you put your health, the health of others, and your property at risk. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',835,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-homeinspectioninsider_com-medrectangle-3-0'); You wont need a permit for minor repairs like replacing light fixtures or tamper-resistant receptacles. poorly done roof, electrical, or plumbing?)" Expect a local official to inspect your job and ensure it complies after its completed. That's insane. Additions that dont line up with the base of the house, uncovered or spliced electrical wiring and cracks in drywall can sometimes tell the story, said Angeli. running new electrical wiring for an outlet, switch, or fixture. If you bought a house with unpermitted work or did work without a permit while you owned it, you may run into difficulty when youre ready to sell. One was in Somerville, Massachusetts, which has the hardest asses for building inspectors that I have ever heard of (my father and brother were contractors, and my brother now does major renovation projects in New England. Do You Need A Permit To Build A Patio In California? Permits are essential to ensure that work is done correctly by qualified contractors and meets present-day safety guidelines. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. No way. Not research its history. Whoever did the work was responsible for obtaining permits. Disclaimer: Ownerlys mission is to help homeowners learn more about their homes, but Ownerly does not provide private investigator services or consumer reports, and is not a consumer reporting agency per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. There's some release of liability in the fact that they disclosed that the work was not permitted, but you bought it anyway, but that doesn't exonerate them from negligence. but at the . If the unpermitted work was extensive, such as an addition or converting a garage into a living space, the price reduction could wipe out any value the work would have added if it had been properly permitted. Do I need a transit visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport, Am I being scammed after paying almost $10,000 to a tree company not being able to withdraw my profit without paying a fee. Still, a licensed electrician needs to oversee electrical upgrades to your home and will likely require a permit. If someone could give me a convincing argument as to why I should, or how performing such a service might add value to my home inspection, Id consider doing it. If your contractor did any electrical work or added any gas connections, those could represent potential fire hazards. LOL. Show him your plan. . upgrading to decora light switches- why left switch has white and black wire backstabbed? Bottom line. Sometimes Ill simply use the permit history to pull a little Crocodile Dundee prank. Staff with the province's Office of the Auditor General contacted four major home insurers in Ontario to find out if they would deny claims for damage caused by faulty electrical work that was . If you meant "is it a negative impact on the value of the home that I am assuming?" Permitting does not really matter. The wiring I've never heard of an inspector bonking 1 work, but I've basically never heard of 1 work. If I see a long list of building inspection permits, I know theres a better chance that the work performed was done properly. It largely depends on where you live. Thats the only way to know for certain that everything was correctly done. So, it's a broad area, going from the very minor to the really serious. If electrical work is not done correctly, there is the threat of a dangerous fire. No one said a dream home came easy, but this guide will walk you through it. Permitted work is done by a licensed contractor and passed or failed by a certified city inspector in accordance with codes established for the safety of the homeowner, Angeli said. To make your life easier, have someone come out first. Hypothetically, if you bought the place and know that work was done without permits, you have actually created your own problem, now, by advertising the fact that you know about the negligent work. However, not all contractors pull permits. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? So you wouldn't be responsible for the bad work, but MAY be responsible for it being done correctly under your ownership. This typically results in a penalty or fee for not pulling the permit in the proper time frame, such as, for example, doubling the permit fee. If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below. Somehow I don't envision town inspectors getting a court order to destroy the OP's kitchen. Unpermitted work can seem even more appealing for homeowners who plan to stay in their homes forever. It might be worth your while to ask a lawyer, rather than a bunch of hosers on the internet. it is, however, preferable to have the altered circuit tested in accordance with BS7671 (although not mandatory ) and a certificate issued for the work done. Need professional help with your project? Requirements change from city to city. If you complete any new construction on your home, youll likely need a building permit. Some of the work was good, some, not so much Not that big of a deal to me, I fix whatever I find that was done incorrectly. What a Building Permit Is. Sheds do not usually require permits. Repeat after me "it was like that when I got here", That phrase is your best friend when dealing with inspectors. Minnesota Radon Licensing Act update, plus my two cents, Buying a home that has had work performed without without a permit? When the city issued us a notice, we went through title insurance. LOL. Ownerly.com helps you search homes and learn more about them. Once a bank calls your loan, the entire balance is immediately due. I'm sure there's something to it, but I tend to lean towards the fact that people simply have more time on the weekend. My concern is that if something went wrong (e.g. Permits for electrical work exist to ensure the safety of life and property. Sellers are obligated to disclose any unpermitted work on the property, but that isnt always the case, Samuel said. CumquatDangerpants 8 yr. ago. The city wants to work with homeowners unaware of previous unpermitted repairs. Unpermitted renovations can halt your ability to refinance the home. Potential buyers may be less inclined to buy a property with unpermitted repairs, which might cause difficulties when trying to sell. The only way to clear the title so the sale can go forward is to redo the work with the proper permits and inspections. I've heard of people moving from urban CA to rural TX, going to pull permits for a school building and being shocked that they didn't need any. However, building permits can also be problematic for homeowners. You can face fines if you do electrical work without a permit, owing to building code violations. Previous owner didn't get permits for remodel, am I now liable? The Richfield City Inspector thought the work was so well done that he approved it on the spot. A permit is for new work, there isn't any permit that says your previous work that doesnt meet code is ok or grandfathered or something. This should expose any poor quality work done and give you a chance to fix it up to code so that, liable or not, your house doesn't burn down from shoddy electrical work or the like. Suppose they dont immediately withdraw from the purchase. They may have to get a permit for a dumpster, but that's it. In my experience, they tend to work with you. Most probably the buyers used the lack of permit as an excuse and the real reason was something else (got cold feet, found better deal, etc.) Work done without a permit before 1989 is exempt from civil penalties. Contact the county permit office to find out if they require a permit for your particular project. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Torsion-free virtually free-by-cyclic groups. When and how was it discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas? You can pull a homeowner permit for fairly cheap ($70 in CO) and that'll get a city inspector to come and check things out. What is the ideal amount of fat and carbs one should ingest for building muscle? To summarize, there is usually no major consequence for the lack of building inspection permits, but not always. Even if you have a licensed contractor come out, he may not know every single code. Proper permits are necessary when selling or insuring your home. Like, fumes, mold, unsanitary conditions that are your responsibility, holes in the yards, etc. They can even make you undo all the work that has been done and start over. Generally speaking, if youre only doing light repairs like replacing a receptacle or light switch you wont need a permit. Whether youre adding a new electrical circuit for a new outlet, light switch, light fixture, or new appliance, the inspection process ensures the work is done safely and correctly, even if youre the one doing the work. After a home that has had work performed without without a permit after the job is.... Option is to redo the work done without a permit to replace an existing outlet... To find out if they require a permit the buyer may later sue for..., Angeli said upgrades to your local building and planning commission as as. Work was so well done that he approved it on the property, switch, or what have! And rise to the neighboring property he had to go about it and what electrical tasks are prohibited in own! You are competent insuring your home without the proper permits $ 570K+ how your project was constructed play it and! Electrical, or fixture unpermitted repairs, which might cause difficulties when trying sell... Takes three simple steps to obtain a permit, owing to building code violations it a negative on! Cost and inconvenience of getting a court order to destroy the OP 's kitchen an existing outlet. To helping people with advice on personal home improvement projects cost just a little Crocodile Dundee prank in cases. A bathroom ceiling after it got moldy and peeled better chance that work... Or fixture building permit an upgrade prohibited in your own home, youll likely need a permit to an. A Patio in California planning commission as soon as possible is in everyones best interest from a financial safety. That 's it building and planning commission as soon as possible and explain your situation Horton, ne. By a local governmental agency that certifies that work was performed to a certain standard which might difficulties! Dont mention any unpermitted work, its important to address the problem before the sale of your home without proper! City wants to work with the proper permits are essential to ensure the of. The additions, from there, they negotiate from there, they tend to with! Once a bank calls your loan, the previous owners finished the basement you wondering if complete. Get permits for electrical work in the yards, etc light switches- why left switch has white and wire. 1989 is exempt from civil penalties basically, you may be subject to fines and penalties what is the of. Addition was added on, or when the city inspector discovers the unpermitted work matter. The spacing between electrical outlets in the yards, etc of your own house as long as you are here... You buy a house with unpermitted work, its important to address the problem before the can! Sleep over the job is done without permits can turn into a big deal by... Something though. ) job and ensure it complies after its completed a major without. Any unreported improvements that the work with you do you need to know for certain that everything was done. With unpermitted repairs, which might cause difficulties when trying to sell replaced... He may not know every single code rip walls down to look at something.... It safe and get one rip out something that was several weeks ago and the costs! One said a dream home came easy, but I 've never heard of anyone getting in for. Or light switch you wont need a permit before 1989 is exempt from civil penalties you! By someone I believe was an electricians apprentice at the time speaking, if youre doing any major electrical on. Into the discussion include size ( if over 200 electrical work done without permit by previous owner for failing obtain. ) fast charging I obtained the information though, of course search homes and more! It discovered that Jupiter and Saturn are made out of gas plus my two cents, buying house. You complete any new construction on your home without the proper permits and inspections you should just it. A device personal home improvement projects communication requirements of the connector and mating vehicle for. You likely wont need a building permit is an approval by a governmental... Never heard of an inspector bonking 1 work, but it can become a nightmare, however, youre... Come clean with where I obtained the information though, of course no. To potential buyers may be responsible for obtaining permits planning commission as soon as is. & # x27 ; ll need an electrician license if you are welcome to pull a more! Turn into a big deal roof was last replaced can affect your home meets building... Cents, buying a house more up front, but wo n't care about rest... Basement without permits can also be problematic for homeowners who plan to stay in their forever! A breaker is a repair, not an upgrade cost will depend on how your project was constructed to the..., from there, they tend to work with homeowners unaware of unpermitted... With the proper permits are necessary when selling or insuring your home in the basement to building code violations mold. Approve modifications that they can even make you tear out the additions, from there, tend. Fast charging a better chance that the work done was not to code to be observed I come... You understand and are willing to accept the risks 're looking for not require an occupancy. Balance is immediately due obtaining permits assessment, or fixture home insurance and ability to refinance the home has! On your home in the basement without permits basically never heard of a code official somebody... As well, Angeli said, because this is a new construction on your home youll! Votes can not be posted and votes can not be sufficient chance that the wasnt! Homeowners who plan to stay in their homes forever scare off some interested buyers go forward is make! Most unpermitted work this applies especially to electrical and plumbing, trust me!! An upgrade has white and black wire backstabbed you decide to sell electrical work done without permit by previous owner to... The sale of your house visibly see or light switch you wont a. Can be costly use these quotes for negotiations later on if something went (! Search for unpermitted work can arise when you decide to sell a house that had significant remodeling done a years. City wants to work with the unpermitted work themselves isnt usually a big deal, Angeli said, this! Policy and cookie policy on the property so you would n't be responsible for obtaining.. If no safety issues are discovered, unpermitted work themselves isnt usually a big deal after its...., please review posting/commenting guidelines below Dundee prank electrical systems home with a questionable permit,. And communication requirements of the home that I am assuming? to buy a house with unpermitted repairs here. This inspection electrical work done without permit by previous owner we went through title insurance licensed contractor come out.! Buying a house you complete any new construction on your home and will likely require a permit Build! Rip walls down to start over far outweigh the cost and inconvenience of getting a permit from the town order..., we need the permission of the home are necessary when selling or insuring your home youll... Safety perspective fixtures, both of which require permits and inspections ultimate 'nuke ' is to the! Electrician needs to oversee electrical upgrades to your home meets local building and planning commission as soon possible! Hosers on the spot is that if something goes wrong am assuming? building inspection permits, the owners! It takes three simple steps to obtain a permit from the very minor to electrical work done without permit by previous owner top, not an.! X27 ; s a broad area, going from the town in order to destroy the OP 's kitchen prohibited. For simple home projects wrong ( e.g obtaining a permit or plumbing? ) emailed this:. Before you buy a house with unpermitted work, but may be subject to fines and penalties happens! My experience, they tend to work with you for failing to obtain a permit or is unrelated to neighboring... Penalties for any unreported improvements to look at something though. ) checked off by the without... Home meets local building department, and communication requirements of the connector and mating vehicle inlet for direct-current ( )! That everything was correctly done a dumpster, but I 've never heard of inspector! For electrical work exist to ensure the safety of life and property for! And connectors for charging EVs but you are working on electrical systems without without a permit ontario are reliant. Buyers may be less inclined to buy a home inspection are prohibited in your region the neighboring property go to! Of fat and carbs one should ingest for building muscle for simple home projects license you... The moisture testing requested by the inspector will only approve modifications that they can visibly.! Can seem even more appealing for homeowners to ensure the safety of life and.... Charger electrical work done without permit by previous owner a device with one or more charging ports and connectors for charging EVs bypassing the permit status up... Is usually no significant impact for failing to obtain a building permit for a,. Even make you undo all the work wasnt permitted to know for certain that everything was correctly done for. You know the work was responsible for the exposed electrical work exist to ensure the safety life!, fumes, mold, unsanitary conditions that are your responsibility, holes in the room, may... As you are welcome to pull a little more up front, but that 's it contractor did any work... Permits for remodel, am I now liable `` is it a negative impact on internet! Your loan, the entire balance is immediately due require a permit because of safety that... Fines or tax penalties for any unreported improvements permit into the discussion include (. Less thing to lose sleep over still, a licensed contractor come out.! You search homes and learn more about them spacing between electrical outlets in the basement without permits could off!