Construction Violations & Open Permits in Miami: What Every Home Seller Should Know
When it’s time to sell your home in Miami, Hialeah, Westchester, Homestead, Perrine, or Florida City, one of the biggest surprises homeowners face are construction violations and open permits. These hidden issues can delay or even block a real estate closing — turning what should be a smooth sale into a legal and financial nightmare.
At Florida Builders Engineers & Inspectors (FBEIN), we’ve seen countless transactions stall because of unpermitted work, missing final inspections, or incomplete permit closures. Whether the issue involves a kitchen remodel, window installation, or garage conversion, the best time to address it is before your property goes under contract.
How Construction Violations Happen
Many homeowners unknowingly create construction violations when they hire contractors who skip the proper permit process. In some cases, the homeowner may even take on small projects themselves — adding rooms, converting garages, or upgrading bathrooms — without realizing a permit was required.
Unfortunately, city inspectors in Miami-Dade County are catching these issues during re-occupancy inspections, which are now required in many municipalities before a property can close. Violations such as:
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Unpermitted bathroom and kitchen remodels
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New fencing installed without a permit
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Impact windows and doors replaced without inspection
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Garage conversions turned into bedrooms or living space
These can all trigger stop work orders, fines, and mandatory “As-Built” plans — often only discovered days or weeks before closing.
Why Title Companies Are Checking Open Permits
In today’s real estate market, title companies are performing open permit searches alongside lien searches before closing. This means even if your property looks perfect on the surface, a lingering open permit from years ago — even one from a previous owner — can delay your sale.
At Florida Builders Engineers & Inspectors, our licensed professionals specialize in:
✅ Identifying open or expired permits
✅ Preparing As-Built engineering plans required by municipalities
✅ Coordinating with local building departments for compliance
✅ Guiding homeowners through the violation correction process
How Florida Builders Engineers & Inspectors Can Help
If you discover an open permit or construction violation on your home in Miami, Hialeah, Westchester, Homestead, Perrine, or Florida City, call our experienced engineering team right away.
We can inspect your property, draft accurate As-Built Plans, and coordinate with your city’s building department to close permits quickly and efficiently — often saving homeowners thousands of dollars in fines and costly delays.
Our engineers and inspectors have been helping Florida homeowners for over 25 years, and our reports are recognized by title companies, city officials, and real estate attorneys across the state.
Smart Steps Before Selling Your Home
To protect yourself before listing:
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Visit your local building department and request a list of any open permits or violations.
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Verify that every remodeling project was done with a permit and properly closed.
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Consult a licensed engineering firm like Florida Builders Engineers & Inspectors to inspect, document, and prepare necessary plans.
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Act early — resolving open permits before listing will make your closing smooth and stress-free.
Even if the violation predates your ownership, you’re responsible for correcting it before sale. The sooner you act, the easier it is to protect your investment.
Serving All of Miami-Dade County
From the heart of Miami to surrounding areas like Hialeah, Westchester, Homestead, Perrine, and Florida City, Florida Builders Engineers & Inspectors provides violation correction, open permit resolution, and As-Built plan services to help homeowners close safely and confidently.
📞 Call 877-894-8001 today for immediate assistance or visit www.CaribbeanBuildingEngineering.com to request your consultation.