Thanks for all the replies guys. I my question though was, for instance, on a bathroom or kitchen remodel. Let's say the entire job isn't permitted, I tell the customer that I need to pull an electrical permit. They say they don't want to get a permit. I know that this is almost always because of the extra expense involved. Many HOs use unlicensed workers who couldn't get a permit if they wanted to, and, depending on the size of the project, getting permits may lead to their property being re-assessed and their property tax going up.
Here's the typical scenario. Small bath remodel, I tell them I am going to pull a permit, they ask me not to. What do I do? If I walk away from every job that the HO doesn't want to pull a permit on, I'd be out of work. I hadn't considered, though, that my Gen. liability insurance wouldn't cover damages on an unpermitted project.
And then also, pertaining to my original question, if there are situations where you would stay and do the work without getting the permit, should I have the HO sign off on the refusal to permit it?