Unpermitted Work · Dallas, TX
Unpermitted additions or renovations making your Dallas-Fort Worth home impossible to sell the traditional way? Alpha Cash Buyers purchases homes with permit issues as-is — no retroactive permits, no code upgrades, no hassle. Cash offer in 24 hours.
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Unpermitted work is one of the most common deal-killers in residential real estate. Maybe a previous owner converted the garage into a bedroom, added a bathroom, or enclosed the patio without pulling permits. Maybe you did the work yourself years ago and didn't realize permits were required. Either way, you're stuck with a home that traditional buyers and their lenders won't touch.
Getting retroactive permits in Dallas-Fort Worth typically costs between $5,000 and $30,000 or more — and that's if the work meets current building codes. If it doesn't, you may need to tear out walls, upgrade electrical or plumbing, and redo the work entirely. For many homeowners, that's simply not an option.
Alpha Cash Buyers purchases homes with unpermitted work exactly as they are. No retroactive permits, no code inspections, no tearing anything out. We handle all of the permit and title complications after closing at our own expense.
$5K–$30K+
Typical cost to get retroactive permits in DFW
40%+
Of older DFW homes have some unpermitted work
Zero
Permits needed when you sell to Alpha Cash Buyers
Why As-Is
Retroactive permits require opening walls, meeting current codes, and paying for inspections. Costs add up to $5,000–$30,000+. Sell as-is and avoid the entire process.
Most lenders won't finance a home with unpermitted work. That eliminates 85%+ of traditional buyers. Cash buyers don't need bank approval, so permit issues don't slow anything down.
Unpermitted work that comes to the city's attention can trigger code enforcement actions, fines, or orders to demolish the work. Selling quickly to a cash buyer eliminates that risk.
Appraisers exclude unpermitted square footage, which tanks your home's appraised value. We don't use appraisals — we evaluate the property ourselves and make a fair offer based on reality.
Unpermitted work is extremely common in older Dallas-Fort Worth neighborhoods. In many cases, homeowners didn't realize permits were required, or a previous owner did the work without telling anyone. Here are the most common types we see — and none of them stop us from making an offer:
Converting a garage into a bedroom, game room, or living space is one of the most common unpermitted projects in DFW. The city requires permits for this because it involves changes to egress, HVAC, electrical, and sometimes structural load. Without permits, the converted space doesn't count as livable square footage on appraisals or tax records.
Adding a room, extending a kitchen, or building out a bedroom without permits creates a mismatch between what the city has on record and what physically exists. This causes problems with appraisals, insurance, and title. Buyers' lenders will flag it immediately.
Moving plumbing, adding a bathroom, or significantly altering a kitchen layout all require permits in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding cities. Even cosmetic renovations can trigger permit requirements if they involve electrical or plumbing changes behind walls.
Panel upgrades, rewiring, water heater installations, and new plumbing runs all require permits and licensed contractors. Unpermitted electrical work is a particular concern because it raises safety and insurance liability issues.
Covered patios, carports, swimming pools, storage buildings, and fences over a certain height all require permits in most DFW municipalities. Many homeowners build these without realizing they need city approval, creating problems when it's time to sell.
Listing a home with unpermitted work on the open market is difficult. Home inspectors flag the work. Appraisers exclude the unpermitted square footage, lowering the home's value. Lenders refuse to finance the property until permits are resolved. And buyers walk away when they learn about the issues.
A cash sale bypasses all of these obstacles. We don't need an appraisal, we don't need bank approval, and we've purchased many homes with permit issues throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. We know how to evaluate the property and make a fair offer based on its actual value.
A few of the 400+ homes we've purchased across Dallas-Fort Worth
The Process
Tell us about the property. You don't need to know every detail about the permits — just the address and your situation. We respond within a few hours.
We'll do a brief walkthrough and research the permit history ourselves. Within 24 hours, you'll have a transparent cash offer that accounts for the permit issues — no surprises.
Pick your closing date. We can close in as little as 7 days. Walk away with cash — we handle all permit resolution and title issues after closing at our own expense.
No retroactive permits, no code inspections, no opening walls. We buy the home exactly as it is today.
Unpermitted electrical, plumbing, additions — we buy in any condition. Zero repair costs to you.
No agent commissions, no closing costs, no hidden charges. Our offer is your net.
Unpermitted work can complicate title. We work with title companies experienced in these situations.
Many homeowners discover unpermitted work only when they try to sell. Maybe you inherited the home and had no idea the previous owner converted the garage or added a room without permits. Maybe you bought the home years ago and the seller never disclosed the unpermitted work.
Either way, you're now responsible for resolving it — and that can feel unfair. Getting retroactive permits means the work has to meet current building codes, not the codes that existed when the work was done. That often means significant additional expense to bring everything up to standard.
We've helped many homeowners in this exact situation. You don't need to research permits, hire contractors, or deal with the city. We purchase the home as-is and handle everything after closing.
If the property is inherited and still in probate, we work with estate attorneys regularly and can coordinate the timeline. Learn more about selling an inherited property.
Compare Your Options
No permits needed. No fees. No obligation. Find out what your home is worth today.
We Buy Houses Across DFW
No permits needed, no obligation, no pressure — just a fair cash offer so you can move forward.
No fees · No permits needed · No obligation · Response within 24 hours
Helpful Resources
Dealing with a related situation? Code Violations · Major Repairs · Foundation Issues
