We hear it more than you might think.
A homeowner calls us, excited about their remodel. Then they ask — sometimes casually, sometimes directly
“I don’t want to deal with remodeling permits. Can we just skip it?”
We completely understand where this is coming from. Remodeling permits can feel like a hassle. They take time, cost money, and often involve paperwork and inspections that many people would rather not deal with. As a homeowner, it’s natural to wonder if skipping permits could make your project easier.
So let’s have an honest conversation about it — because you deserve a straight answer, not a runaround.
Our answer is always the same: if your project requires a permit, we won’t start work without one.
First — What Kind of Project Are We Talking About?
If you’re not sure whether your specific project even needs a permit, we’ve covered that in detail in this article. The short version: cosmetic updates like painting, flooring, and cabinet swaps usually don’t. Anything touching plumbing, electrical, structure, or square footage almost always does.
This article is specifically for homeowners who already know a permit is probably required — and are wondering if it’s worth the hassle of dealing with it. Spoiler: it is. Here’s why.
What’s Actually at Risk When You Skip a Permit
The frustration with permits is understandable. The consequences of skipping them are not worth it. These are real outcomes we’ve seen or heard about from homeowners across Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.
Your Homeowner’s Insurance May Not Cover It
If something goes wrong in an area where unpermitted work was done — a fire that starts in improperly wired electrical, water damage from a plumbing failure, structural damage — your insurance company can deny the claim.
Why? Because unpermitted work can be treated as a material misrepresentation of your home’s condition. You told them your home was built and renovated to code. Unpermitted work means it wasn’t — and that changes the math on your policy.
Stop-Work Orders and Forced Demolition
If unpermitted work is reported — by a neighbor, a future contractor who notices it, or a routine county inspection — your local building department can issue a stop-work order. Everything halts until the situation is resolved.
In some cases, that resolution means tearing out completed work so inspectors can see what’s behind the walls. The tile you just installed. The drywall that’s now covering the wiring. Gone — so the county can verify the work meets code.
Then you permit it, redo it, pass inspection, and pay to close it out.
Fines on Top of Everything Else
Municipalities in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties can issue fines for unpermitted construction. In many cases, permit fees are doubled when applied retroactively. The financial savings of skipping a permit can disappear entirely — and then some.
When is a remodeling permit not needed?
Not every project requires a permit. For example, painting, swapping out some flooring, or replacing light fixtures typically won’t trigger one. If your remodel falls into that category, then great, we’ll move forward without any extra paperwork.
But if the scope of work requires a permit under Florida building codes (like most electrical, plumbing, structural, or major remodeling projects), then a permit absolutely must be pulled. In those cases, we cannot take on the job without it.
Why Pulling a Permit Protects You
Pulling a permit might sound like a headache, but in reality, it protects you as a homeowner. Here’s why:
- Work is done to code. A remodeling permit ensures your remodel is reviewed against Florida’s building standards, which are designed to keep your home safe and durable.
- Safety first. Whether it’s electrical, plumbing, or structural work, permits help guarantee the job is done correctly so your family isn’t at risk.
- Protects your home value. Unpermitted work can cause major issues if you ever try to refinance, sell, or get an inspection. Buyers and appraisers look for permitted work, and unpermitted projects can lower your home’s value.
- Avoids costly mistakes. Skipping permits can lead to fines, stop-work orders, or being forced to tear out the work you just paid for.
In other words, the remodeling permit is your safety net.
What It Means for Us as a Licensed Contractor
We want to be transparent about why we hold this position, because we think you deserve to know.
Legally, we have no choice. As a licensed contractor (Sherman General Contracting, FL License #CBC1269492), we are required by Florida law to follow permitting requirements. Doing unpermitted work puts our license at risk. Losing our license means we can’t operate. Simple as that.
Ethically, we won’t do it. Even if the legal risk weren’t there, we wouldn’t do unpermitted work on a client’s home. When we finish a project, we want you to be able to sell that home, refinance it, insure it, and live in it with complete confidence. Unpermitted work makes all of that harder. That’s not the kind of work we’re willing to put our name on.
Practically, it protects our relationship with you. If something goes wrong down the line — during a sale, an insurance claim, a future renovation — and unpermitted work is discovered, that problem comes back to you. We’re not willing to be the reason that happens.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you’re talking to contractors and hear any of the following, it should raise an eyebrow:
- “You don’t need a permit for this,” when it’s obvious that you do.
- “You should just pull the permit yourself.” This is often a sign the person isn’t licensed to do the work.
- “We’ll do it under the radar.” This puts all the risk on you as the homeowner.
A responsible contractor should never push you to skip the legal requirements. In fact, we encourage every homeowner to check licenses before hiring. You can verify any Florida contractor’s license here:
Florida License Verification Tool
How We Help with Remodeling Permits
The good news is — you don’t have to deal with permits alone. At Sherman General Contracting, we take care of the process for you:
- Preparing plans and drawings
- Working with engineers when required
- Submitting the paperwork
- Coordinating with the city or county for inspections
We know the system, and we know the local building departments in the Tampa Bay area. Handling permits is just part of our service, so you can focus on the fun part: watching your remodel take shape.
The Bottom Line
If your project doesn’t need a remodeling permit, we’ll happily move forward without one. But if it does, then pulling a permit isn’t optional—it’s the law.
We understand permits can feel inconvenient, but in reality, they protect your home, your investment, and your family’s safety. Skipping them is never worth the risk.
So, to answer the original question: No, we will not work on a project that requires a permit unless the permit is pulled.
When you choose Sherman General Contracting, you can feel confident that everything is done legally, safely, and up to code. That’s exactly the way it should be.
Ready to start your Tampa Bay remodel? Schedule a discovery call with Sherman General Contracting, and we’ll help you navigate permits and approvals for a smooth project from start to finish.
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