Un-Permitted Improvements

Are they worth it?

Luke in Los Gatos Asks:

I am considering purchasing a house in Los Gatos that has some un-permitted improvements including added square footage and some enclosed outdoor walkways.  Furthermore, the county has been informed of these improvements. That is all I have been told so far. What I am wondering is what would I be getting into if I purchased this property?  Do these un-permitted improvements have to be removed or is it possible for a licensed professional, like you, to look over and finish up the work and get a permit?  Also, since you probably need to know much more information to be able to provide any kind of guess on the cost, if you could provide some best and worst case scenarios you've encountered, that would be much appreciated.
—Luke, Los Gatos

Richard Responds:

Find out why the work was done without permits. If the work meets code and zoning requirements it is possible to make it legal. It wouldn't be easy or cheap to do this in most cases. Best of luck. Keep me informed.
—Richard Fitts

Follow Up from Luke:

Thanks for getting back to me. The works was done by the owner and previous owners, and I guess they never bothered to try. After meeting with an architect, the seller today decided to just tear down all of the improvements. I guess they didn't think they were going to be able to get it permitted retroactively.

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