https://www.siliconvalley.com/2021/06/23/sponsored-affluent-neighbors-are-remodeling-en-masse-but-frugality-can-be-expensive/

Q: I have noticed that almost every home sale in my neighborhood turns into a job site. Affluent buyers are remodeling extensively or adding a room addition. I’ll look up these addresses on my city’s building permit list. Only one job site in this expensive Silicon Valley neighborhood had building permits in place. I report all the other remodeling jobs that are without permits. Why would they do all this work without permits?

A: They think they are saving time, cost of permits and oversight. Conversely, unpermitted work is a typical safety hazard costing more than time. Permitted remodeling or square foot addition adds value — lots of it. Unpermitted work doesn’t add value. Building codes and inspectors reduce risk and add value; conversely, the opposite is true. You’re a good Samaritan to report them. You might save a life or two, and you’ll undoubtedly save frugal homeowners from themselves. As I always say, “frugality can be expensive.”