How to Check If Your Contractor Pulled a Permit

You can check whether your contractor pulled a permit by searching your local building department's online permit database, usually accessible through your city or county government website. Search by the property address. Active permits will appear with the permit number, scope of work, contractor name, issue date, and inspection status. If nothing appears for recent work, your contractor may not have pulled the required permit.

Unpermitted work is one of the most common and most costly problems homeowners discover — often too late. Understanding how to verify permits and why they matter can save you from serious insurance, resale, and safety consequences.

How do you look up whether a contractor pulled a permit?

Search your city or county building department's permit database online using your property address. Most jurisdictions have moved permit records online, allowing homeowners to search by address and see all open and completed permits. If your jurisdiction does not have an online search, call the building department directly and ask to verify whether a permit was issued for work at your address.

Here is how to find permit records for major jurisdictions:

• Most cities and counties:Search "[city name] building permit lookup" or "[county name] permit search". Most results link directly to the official building department portal.
• California: Each city has its own portal. Los Angeles uses ladbs.org. San Francisco uses sfpermits.org. San Diego uses sandiego.gov/development-services.
• Texas: Austin uses austintexas.gov/permits. Houston uses houstontx.gov/permits. Dallas uses dallasbuildinginspection.com.
• Florida:Many Florida counties use MyGovernmentOnline or similar third-party portals. Search your county name plus "permit search".
• New York: New York City uses DOB NOW at dobonline.nyc.gov. Upstate counties vary.
• Illinois: Chicago uses the Chicago Permits portal at chicago.gov/permits. Suburban counties have separate systems.

When you find permit records for your address, confirm that the scope of work on the permit matches what the contractor told you they were doing. A permit for "replace water heater" does not cover a bathroom remodel. The permit should cover the specific work being performed.

What should you ask your contractor directly about permits?

Before work begins, ask your contractor in writing whether the project requires a permit, who is responsible for pulling it, when it will be pulled, and what the permit number is. A licensed contractor who plans to comply with the law will answer these questions without hesitation. Vague answers, claims that permits are "not required" for obviously regulated work, or requests that you pull the permit yourself as the homeowner are all red flags.

Specific questions to ask:

• "Does this job require a permit?" If the contractor says no for major structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, verify that independently with your building department.
• "Who pulls the permit?" The contractor should pull the permit in their name using their license number. If they ask you to pull it, they may be trying to shift liability to you or avoid using their license number (which would create a record).
• "What is the permit number?"Once pulled, the permit has a number. Ask for it and verify it in the database yourself. A permit number is not sensitive information — a legitimate contractor will share it immediately.
• "When will the permit be posted?" In most jurisdictions, the permit must be posted visibly at the job site. Ask to see it.
• "What inspections are scheduled?"Ask about inspection milestones. If the contractor can't tell you when inspections are scheduled, that is a significant red flag.

Why is unpermitted work so dangerous for homeowners?

Unpermitted work creates four major categories of risk: your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to the unpermitted work, the work may fail safety inspections and require demolition and reconstruction, resale of the property becomes complicated or impossible without disclosure and remediation, and the homeowner can be held personally liable for any resulting injury or damage because the work was not legally authorized.

According to the National Association of Realtors, unpermitted work is one of the most common causes of real estate deal failures. Here is why each risk category matters:

• Insurance denials:Standard homeowner's insurance policies cover damage from covered perils, but unpermitted work can void that coverage. If an unpermitted electrical upgrade causes a fire, the insurer can argue the work was illegally performed and deny the entire claim. This applies not just to the unpermitted work itself, but potentially to the entire structure.
• Resale problems: Sellers are legally required to disclose known unpermitted work in most states. Buyers can demand the permits be pulled retroactively (which often requires opening walls and redoing work), demand price reductions, or cancel the deal. Lenders will often not approve mortgages on homes with known unpermitted work.
• Safety hazards: Permits exist because inspections catch mistakes. Electrical wiring that is not inspected can have dangerous connections that create fire risk. Structural work that is not inspected can have hidden deficiencies that cause failure years later.
• Liability exposure: If someone is injured in your home because of unpermitted work, you may face personal liability. Your insurance may not cover the claim, leaving you exposed to a lawsuit.

What are the red flags that a contractor is skipping permits?

The clearest red flags are: the contractor suggests permits are not required for work that obviously requires them, they offer a cash discount specifically for "skipping the permit," they ask you to pull the permit in your name as homeowner, they discourage you from checking the permit status yourself, or they want to start work immediately without any discussion of permits for a project that visibly requires them.

Watch for these specific warning signs:

• "Permits slow things down, we can skip it": This is the contractor prioritizing their convenience over your legal protection. Permits and inspections protect the homeowner, not the contractor.
• "Cash only, no permit": This protects the contractor from a paper trail and leaves you with no documentation of the work, no permit record, and no recourse.
• No permit posted at the job site: Most jurisdictions require the permit to be visibly posted. If work has been going on for a week and there is no permit card or posting, ask directly.
• Vague answers about inspector visits:If the contractor can't tell you when inspectors came or will come, that is a problem.
• Contractor is not in the building department database:When you search the permit records and the contractor's name does not appear on any permit for your address, that is direct evidence the permit was not pulled.

What should you do if your contractor did not pull a required permit?

If work is ongoing, stop payment and demand the permit be pulled before work continues. If work is already complete, contact your local building department and explain the situation — many jurisdictions have a process for retroactive permits, though the cost is typically double the standard permit fee and may require opening walls for inspection. Document everything in writing and consider filing a complaint with the state contractor licensing board.

Your options depend on the situation:

• Work is in progress: Issue a written stop-work notice to the contractor. Do not make any additional payments. Demand the permit be pulled before any more work is done.
• Work is complete but walls are not yet closed: This is the best-case scenario for unpermitted work. The contractor may still be able to pull a permit and get the work inspected before closing.
• Work is complete and walls are closed: File for a retroactive or after-the-fact permit. Expect to pay double the permit fee and possibly open walls so inspectors can see the work. Some jurisdictions require full demo and redo for certain trade types.
• File a licensing board complaint: If the contractor is licensed, file a complaint with the state licensing board. Failing to pull required permits is grounds for license suspension in most states.

Before hiring any contractor, verify their license with CheckLicensed.com. A licensed contractor has put their license on the line — they have far more incentive to pull permits correctly than an unlicensed one. A $0.99 check at CheckLicensed.com tells you instantly whether the contractor is licensed and in good standing before work begins.