Who Pulls Permits: Homeowner or Contractor? (The Southeast Michigan Homeowner’s Complete Guide)

You’ve saved for years to invest in the perfect deck for your family, but now you’re facing a question that could determine whether your project becomes a source of pride or regret: who should pull the permit – the homeowner or contractor?

If you’re wondering whether the contractor is responsible for permits, or if you should pull the building permit yourself, you’re asking exactly the right questions. After three decades building premium decks across Southeast Michigan, here’s everything you need to know about permit responsibility—and why the answer matters more than you might think.

Who Is Responsible for Pulling Permits: The Legal Answer

The most searched question we see is “who pulls permits homeowner or contractor?” Here’s the definitive answer:

The contractor you hire is responsible for pulling permits for any work they perform on your property. While Michigan law does allow homeowners to pull permits for work they do themselves, it is illegal for a hired contractor to perform work under homeowner permits.

This isn’t a gray area or matter of preference—it’s Michigan state law. Any contractor or person you hire for construction work on your home must obtain their own building permits through the appropriate building department.

Can a Homeowner Pull a Building Permit? (And Should They?)

Yes, homeowners can pull building permits for work they plan to do themselves. However, if you’re hiring a contractor, the question becomes: should a homeowner pull a permit for a contractor?

The answer is absolutely not. Here’s why:

After 200+ deck installations in Southeast Michigan, we’ve learned that when contractors ask homeowners to pull permits, it’s always a red flag indicating one or more of these problems:

Red Flag #1: Licensing Issues

Do you have to be a licensed contractor to pull a permit? In most cases, yes. Contractors need proper licensing to pull permits, which means if they’re asking you to pull it, there’s likely a reason they can’t do it themselves.

Red Flag #2: Insurance Problems

Licensed contractors carry insurance that protects both them and you during construction. When contractors can’t pull permits, it often indicates insurance issues that leave you vulnerable.

Red Flag #3: Responsibility Shifting

When you ask “is the contractor responsible for permits?” the answer should always be yes. Contractors who push permit responsibility to homeowners are shifting legal liability to you.

The True Cost of Owner-Builder Permits vs Contractor Permits

Many homeowners wonder if there’s a financial advantage to owner-builder permit vs contractor permits. Here’s what 30+ years in Southeast Michigan has taught us:

• Homeowner permits are not less expensive than contractor permits
• They’re not processed faster than contractor permits
• They’re not held to lesser standards than contractor permits
• They don’t have different inspection requirements

So when contractors offer lower prices in exchange for you pulling permits, you’re not saving money—you’re accepting risk that could cost far more than any initial savings.

Who Is Responsible for Permit Compliance: Homeowner or Contractor?

When you ask “is homeowner or contractor responsible for permit,” the legal reality is clear: whoever pulls the permit holds the responsibility.

If you pull a homeowner permit:

• You become legally responsible for all work performed
• If work fails inspection, you must coordinate corrections
• The building department holds you accountable, not your contractor
• You bear financial responsibility for any non-compliance issues

If your contractor pulls the permit (as they should):

• The contractor maintains legal responsibility for compliance
• Failed inspections become the contractor’s responsibility to resolve
• Professional accountability stays with the professional
• Your investment remains protected by proper insurance coverage

What Happens When Contractors Don’t Pull Permits?

Some homeowners ask, “what can a homeowner do without a permit in Michigan?” While certain small projects may not require permits, deck construction almost always does. More importantly, when contractors avoid permits entirely, it raises serious questions about their legitimacy.

Signs of unprofessional contractors:

• Suggesting you can skip permits entirely
• Offering significantly lower prices to “avoid permit costs”
• Unable to provide licensing and insurance documentation
• Unwilling to coordinate with local building departments

Professional Permit Management: What It Should Look Like

After building decks across Rochester Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and throughout Southeast Michigan, here’s what professional permit management actually looks like:

Before Construction

• Contractor reviews local requirements and determines all necessary permits
• Clear explanation of permit process and expected timeline
• Proactive communication with homeowner about any special requirements

During Construction

• Professional scheduling of all required inspections
• Immediate response to any inspector requirements or concerns
• Transparent communication about inspection results and any adjustments needed

After Completion

• Final inspection coordination and approval documentation
• Complete permit records provided to homeowner for future reference
• Ongoing support for any permit-related questions that arise

Five Questions Every Southeast Michigan Homeowner Should Ask

Before hiring any contractor for your deck project, ask these questions to ensure proper permit handling:

“Are you responsible for getting permits for this project?”

1. The answer should always be yes, with a clear explanation of the process.

“Can you provide current licensing and insurance documentation?”

2. Professional contractors have this ready and understand why you’re asking.

“Who applies for the building permit – you or me?”

3. Legitimate contractors always handle their own permits.

“What happens if work fails inspection?”

4. You want clear processes for corrections, not deflection of responsibility.

“Will you provide copies of all permit documentation?”

5. Professional contractors proactively share permit records.

Our TrexPro Platinum Permit Process

As Southeast Michigan’s trusted TrexPro Platinum certified team, permit management is part of our standard professional service:

Pre-Project Planning:

• Complete review of local requirements across Oakland County municipalities
• All permit applications handled professionally and promptly
• Clear timeline communication including inspection schedules

Construction Phase:

• Tony’s personal coordination of all inspections
• Immediate response to any inspector requirements
• Daily updates on permit-related progress

Project Completion:

• Final inspection approval and documentation
• Complete permit records provided to homeowner
• Ongoing support for any future permit questions

This is what “contractor responsible for permits” actually means in practice—complete professional management that protects your investment.

The Investment Protection Perspective

Your deck represents years of saving and careful material research. The contractor you choose should protect that investment through proper permit compliance, not put it at risk through corner-cutting. When contractors ask homeowners to pull permits, they’re essentially saying: “We want you to accept legal responsibility for our work.” After 30+ years serving quality-conscious homeowners, we’ve learned that professional contractors never make this request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to work with Southeast Michigan’s most trusted deck builders who handle permits professionally? Tony and our TrexPro Platinum-certified team manage every aspect of permit compliance so you can focus on enjoying your investment. Contact us for an educational consultation about your deck project.