Received a red tag? We'll clear it.

A red tag (or 'Notice of Violation' / 'Stop Work Order') is a code enforcement action posted by the city when unpermitted work, unsafe conditions, or non-compliant improvements are discovered. It typically requires you to stop work immediately and resolve the issue within a stated timeframe — usually 30 to 90 days — before penalties escalate.

For straightforward cases with cooperative existing conditions, 3–5 months from first call to closed file. Cases requiring structural upgrades, partial demolition, or coastal/historic review can run 6–12 months. We give you an honest timeline after the assessment.

You can list it, but most buyers walk when the disclosure hits. Lenders may refuse to fund. Resolving before listing typically nets a higher sale price than the resolution costs — often 2× the delta.

It's still a violation, but age often helps. We can sometimes use historic aerial imagery and utility records to establish the work as pre-existing, which can simplify the legalization pathway. Every case is different.

Not usually. Most work can be legalized in place with as-built drawings, engineering, and code upgrades where required. Demolition is a last resort we only recommend when it costs less than the alternative.

Design + permit fees typically run $4,000–$15,000 depending on scope. Construction corrections (structural, MEP, fire, energy) are separate and vary widely — from $0 (paperwork-only cases) to the cost of a full renovation. We deliver a written estimate after the site visit.