OUR BLOG

When homeowners begin planning a renovation, they naturally focus on what they want the finished space to become: a larger kitchen, a more functional first floor, an additional bathroom, or an extension that provides much-needed living space. But before a responsible design can begin, the design professional must first understand what already exists.

Finding the right commercial space can feel like a major victory. The location works, the rent appears manageable, and you can already picture your customers walking through the door. But before you sign the lease, pay a deposit, order equipment, or begin construction, there is one critical question you need answered: Is this space legally approved for the type of business you plan to operate?

When a home no longer works the way it once did, the first instinct is often to assume that more square footage is the answer. Sometimes it is. But in many cases, a better solution may be to renovate the existing space or reconfigure the layout before taking on the added cost, approvals, and construction of an expansion.

Home renovations do not always go according to plan. Sometimes a homeowner hires a contractor believing that all required permits have been handled. In other situations, work may have been completed years ago by a previous owner, only to become an issue when the property is sold, refinanced, inspected, or renovated again. So what happens when renovation work has already been completed without a required permit?