Permits Aren’t a Pain — They’re Your Protection

Most homeowners think permits are:

  • Annoying
  • Slow
  • Bureaucratic
  • Expensive

But as contractors who do this every single day, we see the opposite.

Permits are:

  • A safeguard for your investment
  • A guarantee your home meets modern safety standards
  • A legal requirement in almost every Chicagoland suburb
  • A shield from contractor scams

If we could shout one thing from the rooftops (literally), it would be:

Permits protect you, not the village.


1. A Permit Means Your Project Meets Modern Safety Standards

Building codes exist to:

  • Prevent fires
  • Prevent roof failure
  • Prevent water intrusion
  • Prevent deck collapses
  • Ensure proper electrical and plumbing work
  • Protect basements from unsafe conditions

    (International Code Council standards summarized in Barricade Building Products, 2020)

The inspector isn’t there to slow the job down.

They’re there to make sure the work keeps your family safe.


2. Skipping Permits Can Void Insurance Claims

This is the one homeowners NEVER hear until it’s too late.

If there is:

  • a fire
  • a roof leak
  • a structural failure
  • a storm-damage claim
  • a deck collapse
  • or any major damage

…and the insurance company finds the work was unpermitted?

They can legally deny the claim.

We’ve seen homeowners lose tens of thousands of dollars because a contractor said:

“We don’t need a permit, it’s fine.”

No. It’s not fine.


3. Unpermitted Work Can Block Home Sales

When you sell your home, inspectors or appraisers often ask:

  • “Was this roof permitted?”
  • “Were these basement walls added legally?”
  • “Was this deck built to code?”
  • “Where is the permit for this remodel?”


If you can’t answer with documentation, the buyer can walk away or demand:

  • a new inspection
  • retroactive permits
  • tearing apart walls
  • structural verification
  • price reductions

You don’t want to deal with this.

Just get the permit the first time.


4. Permits Help Catch “Hidden Problems” Before They Become Expensive Problems

When we work on roofs, siding, decks, or basements, we follow modern building codes:

  • Deck footings below frost line (~42 inches in IL) (City of Wheaton, 2024)
  • Water-resistive barrier behind siding
  • Proper ventilation in attic systems
  • Correct ledger attachment for decks
  • Egress requirements for basements
  • State licensing for roofers (Illinois Compiled Statutes, 2024)

Permitted projects must show and prove these elements.

Unpermitted projects hide mistakes — and those mistakes don’t stay hidden forever.


5. Warning Signs Your Contractor Is Trying to Avoid Permits

If a contractor says any of these phrases, RUN:

🚩 “Permits are just a money grab.”

🚩 “We don’t need one — I’ve been doing this 30 years.”

🚩 “It’ll take way longer if you get a permit.”

🚩 “Let’s skip paperwork and save you some money.”

🚩 “I’ll start tomorrow — no permit needed.”

🚩 “You don’t want the city involved.”


Contractors who avoid permits do it for one reason:

They can’t pass inspection.

6. What a Legit Contractor WILL Tell You

A real professional (like Stan’s) will say:

✔ “We always pull permits when required.”

✔ “We follow your village’s building codes.”

✔ “Here are the documents we’ll submit.”

✔ “We welcome inspections.”

✔ “Here’s the timeline.”

✔ “Here’s what your city requires.”

✔ “If you need to be home — we’ll tell you when.”

Good contractors have nothing to hide.


7. Permit Costs: What Homeowners Misunderstand

Yes, permits add cost, usually $50–$350 depending on the village. Some even require you to pay a percentage of the cost of the project.

But skipping a permit can cost:

  • $500–$3,000+ in penalties
  • Failed inspections
  • Work stoppages
  • Tearing apart finished work
  • Lawsuits or insurance denials

Compared to the cost of the project, permits are cheap protection.


8. Final Inspection = Peace of Mind

When the inspector signs off:

  • The roof is built properly
  • The deck is structurally sound
  • The siding is sealed correctly
  • The electrical is safe
  • The plumbing meets code
  • The basement is up to safety standards

You get official documentation proving your home is safe — and protected.


Permits Aren’t Just a Step, They’re a Shield

Homeowners who understand permits:

  • Save money long-term
  • Avoid insurance nightmares
  • Avoid failed real-estate deals
  • Get safer, better, longer-lasting remodels
  • Avoid shady contractors before they cause damage



References

Barricade Building Products. (2020). House wrap code requirements: Understanding the IRC & IBC. https://barricadebp.com/news/house-wrap-code-requirements

City of Wheaton. (2024). 2024 International Residential Code amendments. https://www.wheaton.il.us/1203/2024-International-Residential-Code-Amen

Illinois Compiled Statutes. (2024). Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1360

Hard Decks. (n.d.). Illinois deck building codes: What homeowners should know. https://www.harddecks.com/deck-building-codes/