What Is an As-Built Permit—and How Can It Affect Your Home Remodel?

What Is an As-Built Permit—and How Can It Affect Your Home Remodel?

If you're planning a home remodel in Northern Colorado—whether it's finishing a basement, upgrading a kitchen, or building an addition—you may hear the term "as-built permit." For many homeowners, this can be a confusing or even frustrating part of the construction process, especially if the work was done by a previous owner.

At Choice City Home Services, we’ve seen firsthand how unpermitted or undocumented work can delay future remodels and complicate the permitting process. This blog will help you understand:

• What an as-built permit is
• Why it may be required
• How it affects your future remodeling project
• What you can do to avoid surprises

What Is an As-Built Permit?

An as-built permit is a type of retroactive building permit issued by your city or county building department. It’s used to legalize existing construction that was completed without proper permits, inspections, or approvals.

Instead of approving plans before construction begins (as is standard), an as-built permit is reviewed after the fact. The building department inspects what was built and determines whether it meets current code. If it doesn’t, they may require changes to bring the work into compliance.

In short, it’s the government’s way of saying, “We didn’t approve this before it was built, but we’ll review it now and decide whether it’s acceptable or must be fixed.”

Why Would You Need One?

There are a few common scenarios where an as-built permit comes into play:

• A previous homeowner finished a basement, built a deck, or added a bathroom without pulling permits
• Work was done with permits, but final inspections were never completed, leaving the permit open
• Unrecorded structural, electrical, or plumbing changes were made
• You’re trying to remodel or sell your home, and unpermitted work is flagged by a contractor, appraiser, or inspector

What Does the As-Built Process Involve?

Here’s a general overview of what happens when you apply for an as-built permit in cities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, or Berthoud:

1. Document the Existing Work
   You'll need to create drawings or plans that reflect what's already been built. This may require hiring a designer or architect.
2. Submit the Application
   The city or county will review the submitted plans and flag any issues that do not meet current code.
3. Inspections
   An inspector will visit your property and check the work against modern building codes (which may have changed since the work was completed).
4. Corrections, If Required
   If code violations are found, you’ll be required to correct them—possibly tearing out drywall to expose framing, updating wiring, or replacing undersized components.
5. Final Approval
   Once all requirements are met, the as-built permit is finalized, and the work is considered legal.

How an As-Built Permit Can Affect Your Remodel

If you're planning a remodel—especially one that involves structural, electrical, or plumbing changes—an outstanding as-built issue can significantly delay your project.

Here’s how it might impact you:

⏳ 1. Delay in New Permits

Most building departments won’t issue new permits until existing unpermitted work is addressed. That means your basement remodel, kitchen renovation, or home addition might be put on hold until the as-built is resolved.

🔍 2. Additional Inspections & Costs

If your remodel touches or builds on top of existing unpermitted work, inspectors will likely require a full evaluation—and possibly demolition—to verify safety. This can increase your project cost and extend your timeline.

📋 3. Design Constraints

You might be limited in what you can do with the space until the city has approved the as-built work. In some cases, they may require you to undo or alter previous construction before approving your new plans.

⚠️ 4. Code Compliance Surprises

Older unpermitted work might not meet today’s codes for framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. You’ll need to bring those systems up to code—sometimes even if they’ve been working fine for years.

Real-Life Example: Basement Remodel in Windsor, CO

Recently, our team was called in to finish a basement in Windsor. The homeowner was excited to get started—until the city discovered that a previous owner had installed framing, plumbing rough-ins, and wiring without permits.

Before we could begin the new remodel, an as-built permit had to be filed. This delayed the project by several weeks while the homeowner worked through inspections, corrections, and re-approval. We helped guide the process, but the situation highlighted just how impactful unpermitted work can be—even if it wasn’t your fault.

How to Avoid As-Built Issues in Your Home Remodel

If you’re planning a renovation, here’s what you can do now:

✅ 1. Check for Open or Unpermitted Work

Ask your city or county if any open permits or flagged work exist on your home. A quick records request can save you weeks later.

✅ 2. Walk the Space with a Licensed Contractor

A trained contractor—like our team at Choice City Home Services—can often spot signs of unpermitted work and help you ask the right questions before you apply for new permits.

✅ 3. Resolve Permit Issues Early

If an as-built permit is required, it’s better to start the process before designing your remodel. That way, you avoid delays in permit issuance and construction.

How Choice City Home Services Can Help

We’re a full-service remodeling and basement finishing contractor based in Berthoud, serving homeowners across Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, and Johnstown. Our in-house team includes licensed electricians, HVAC techs, and experienced project managers who understand how to navigate permit challenges—including as-builts.

If you’re facing a permit issue, need help understanding next steps, or want to ensure your remodel is fully permitted and up to code, we’re here to help.

Ready to Start Your Remodel the Right Way?

Avoid the headaches of permit delays, code issues, and costly surprises. Schedule a consultation with Choice City Home Services and get your project started on solid ground.

📞 Call us at 970-308-3638
🌐 Visit choicecityhs.com to request your consultation today

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