No One Will Tell You About the Permitting – Have You Thought Of’s – Relayed During the Subcontractors’ USA 2022 Industry Awards Luncheon

I know what you are thinking, “what does attending the SubContractors’ USA Top 25 Subcontractors Awards Luncheon on June 22, 2022 in Houston, Texas have to do with building permitting?”

Aside from the fact that there was a super networking environment, tasty food and a great jazz musician adding to the ambience, there were anchor institutions like Dallas Independent School District (DISD Bond Program) in the mix to learn about upcoming design and construction projects. And aside from PermitUsNow being the only building permit expediting firm to be recognized with a Top 25 Subcontractors Award, the keynote luncheon speakers: President of Houston Transit, Tom Lambert and VIA Metro Transit, San Antonio Deputy CEO, Ed Johnson talked about their $7.5 billion and $1.3 billion light rail expansion and bus rapid transit (BRT) capital projects, respectively.

Both projects discussed during the luncheon require permitting of great magnitude. From demo to civil to building, etc., permits will be sought from the City of Houston Permitting Center and City of San Antonio’s permitting jurisdiction. When these organizations move into permitting, their perspective Permitting Centers’ workload will increase. And when this happens, where are you in the scheme of things. Are your projects being pushed aside?

“Helen, that’s nice to hear about the SubCUSA’s Awards Luncheon and the good food, but what does this mean to me as a General Contractor or Architect or Project Owner in Houston and San Antonio?”

I’m glad you asked as no one will tell you about the permitting hey have you thought about’s gained from attending this industry luncheon, but PermitUsNow. So, here’s the bottom line, when billions of dollars of capital projects begin rolling into the Houston Permitting Center and into COSA’s permitting jurisdiction, it behooves you to be aware so you can plan accordingly to minimize possible delays in plan review.

Below are 6 questions you should think about your permitting needs when large capital projects are heading into your local jurisdiction.

• Should you hold predevelopment meetings with Permitting staff to ask reasonable code questions and at a minimum, you know that at least they are aware of your project(s) coming through?
• Can you phase your project work? And if so, what makes the most sense in phasing?
• What do we gain by demolishing some areas early?
• Do we have any long lead time materials possibly causing deferred submittals?
• Has the Permitting Center changed any internal processes or issued any new amendments that could impact project?
• Do we have the bandwidth and know-how to handle permitting internally?

In Conclusion

Luncheons and industry events are important to attend for identifying opportunities to grow your business and to make new contacts. When doing so, consider listening to keynote speakers with an open ear to hear how what is being shared that will impact your projects in the future and note ways you can mitigate hiccups.

If your organization is strapped and wanting to look at alternatives to managing permits, know that at PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

5 Facts About Permitting EV Charging Stations

With gas prices soaring and a push for green initiatives

Will EV vehicles take over anytime soon creating a demand for more charging stations? There are roughly 1.2 million EV vehicles in the U.S. and companies like GM and Tesla are cranking out thousands of more vehicles with the hopes that drivers will come onboard.

While some drivers are squeezed by high prices due inflation and other contributing factors. Others are wanting to help with lowering greenhouse gas emissions from gas combustion vehicles. Regardless of the reason, here’s what we know for sure, there are a limited number of EV charging stations with approximately 55,000 in existence now.

To avoid waiting for the U.S. government or States receiving federal funding to install EV charging network, many American drivers will opt to install their own EV charger at their homes. Some Employers are adding EV charging stations to their business location as a way to support green initiatives plus serve as an added incentive for employees.

If a driver in the U.S. selects to install an EV charger at their residence, most likely a separate electrical circuit and panel will be required to support the new charging equipment. With this being the case, below are 5 facts about permitting EV charging stations for residential.

1. When installing new circuit, an electrical trade permit is required.
2. A Master Electrician will need to pull trade permit.
3. If jurisdiction has any questions when reviewing permit application, Master Electrician is to respond to comments or RFI’s.
4. Master Electrician pays for trade permit to install EV charger, post permit on job site, and coordinates the appropriate jurisdiction inspections.
5. Master Electrician properly closes out job and obtains a certificate of compliance or passed final inspection to be posted near installed device or panel.

Note that if EV charging station is installed at a place of business then the above steps are followed and depending on actual location and full scope, other jurisdiction requirements may have to be met such as a survey, site plan, etc.

In Conclusion

The race to install EV charging stations is on with federal dollars going to the States and state DOT’s gearing up to begin advertising solicitations for Contractors to install, operate and maintain. With the effort of the US government to build out an EV grid across the nation with 500,000 chargers and market pressures (inflation, high gas prices, carbon initiatives, etc.) acting as key factors, many EV drivers will move forward in controlling their own destiny which means installing an EV charger at their home plus emphasizing to their employers the need to install EV charging stations.

For Electricians and other Contractors, this spells opportunities to grow their business, but to capitalize in this area, electrical trade permits are required in most large and medium-sized city jurisdictions in the U.S. We realize increased workloads create stress and cause challenges in pulling permits. If this is you, call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4. with any projects you need to have permitted.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

Gulf Coast Hurricane Season is Upon Us: 5 Tips to Help Homeowners Rebuild with Proper Permits and Close-out

Living along the Gulf Coast offers the best fishing, beautiful sites to visit and overall, a great quality of life. This lifestyle becomes threatened for many homeowners during the hurricane season; and this is especially the case for our neighbors living in the Bossier, Lake Charles, LA area over the last several years.

From blown off rooftops to trees falling on houses to flood waters, thousands of property owners will see their lives and dreams be tossed into turmoil and revealing again that it is darn near impossible to control nature. While nature wreaks havoc, on your end, you can control your actions, be ready to serve, and be the consummate professional Contractor when helping those that reach out to you to rebuild or make major repairs after their homes are destroyed by a hurricane.

The PermitUsNow team members have witnessed major destruction from hurricanes along the Gulf Coast for years, we understand the demands of the marketplace and have pulled 100’s of building permits for Contractors over the last couple of years alone to reconstruct residential properties.

Based on our team’s experience and to assist you in this hurricane season along the Gulf Coast – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida – below are 5 tips in pulling permits and properly closing out projects for your residential customers impacted by a hurricane.

• Don’t Assume. If you are unsure of the building codes in a particular area, the worst thing you can do is to make assumptions based on prior work or experience. Note that each project is different; and jurisdictions have their own set of codes, amendments, and permit processes.
• Review with homeowner your contract and show where you will be obtaining the proper permit. Doing so gives your customers assurance and comfort during a very stressful time.
• Purchase permit, post of job site and provide copy to your customer.
• Call for inspections, based on the type of construction performed.
• Provide close-out documents (certificate of compliance, etc.) including for any trade permits pulled to your customer.

In Conclusion

Those who live along the Gulf Coast love doing so and cannot fathom living anywhere else. I know since I grew up and live on the Texas Gulf Coast; and I have rode-out a many of hurricanes over the years. If you find yourself with too many projects to do upfront due diligence and to manage permitting, call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4. At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

Permit Stuck in Concrete? 5 Tips to Crack the Permitting Code

Let’s say that you have a big customer that you have been waiting to work with for a long time. You finally sold this customer and landed your first project. You meet with your customer to go over their plans, timeline, budget constraints, etc. and you see that all the documents appear to be acceptable to submit for permitting.

You submit permit package to City Permitting and hope for speedy plan reviews and permit approval. Then your new customer calls you requesting an update on permit; and you assure them that the plan reviews are progressing to schedule. Another week or so goes by. You notice no movement in plan review and key City Permitting departments are missing their promised dates. You get this gut feeling and know that you’re stuck. You proceed to wonder how you can excavate your permit from the jurisdiction to get your plan reviews completed quickly.

If this rings true to you and your permit is stuck in concrete, below are 5 tips to crack the jurisdiction’s permitting processing code:

• Pull from your files a copy of your permitting package that was submitted to the jurisdiction.
• Review jurisdiction plan review history. Note: one key aspect to review this information is to review the rejection comments to determine if they seem applicable based on the plans and permit package submitted and two, to identify the Plan Reviewers involved with your project. Is the Plan Reviewer new to the jurisdiction? Are they new to the department? Do they have experience in reviewing your type of projects? Are they behind in reviews and swamped with plans to review? Get it? This helps to position you for follow up with the appropriate Plan Reviewers.
• Reach out to the Plan Reviewer(s). If you find comments that are off based on building codes then by all means, contact the appropriate Plan Reviewers to schedule a meeting to go over comments.
• Escalate to Department Manager at Jurisdiction. If you were unsuccessful with Plan Reviewer(s) for what could be a myriad of reasons and show evidence that your plans meet building codes then go higher to speak and meet with the Manager of the department issuing for what you consider to be inaccurate rejection comments.
• Say, “Thank you”. Remember you are in the people business; and it pays to treat others who are helping you in a professional and respectful manner.

In Conclusion

Many of the Permitting Centers in the U.S. have hired new staff and have Plan Reviewers that are doing the best they can in tacking their heavy workload. You job is to be as helpful as possible to assist Plan Reviewers in helping you i.e. review plans in a timely manner with minimum, if any at all, rejection comments. Visit the 5 tips above if you’re stuck in permitting and desperately require approval to start construction. If you are thinking, “Helen, I do not have the time nor the wit to manage permits” then call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

Changing Texas One Permit at a Time

PermitUsNow team members find ways to pull permits faster to help homeowners and businesses in Texas and beyond.

Processing permits that affect the masses

From new ground up grocery stores to renovated airport concessions to big box stores to churches to refreshed pizza parlors, obtaining permits in a timely manner help meet the needs of hundreds of thousands to millions of people in cities across Texas and other parts of the US. Timely permits not only assist businesses in generating revenue, they also help create an ideal experience and environment for end customers.

Creating positive memories

When a retired couple purchased a house, near Humble, TX, unseen before closing, they were surprised after moving from California. Upon moving into the house, they made minor repairs that involved installing a new HVAC. The HVAC company was unable to pull a mechanical permit from City Permitting due to a “hold” noted in the system due to no permit pulled for repairs made after Hurricane Harvey.

The City of Houston Permitting was sure that extensive repairs had been made to house near Humble as many houses had extensive damage from flooding from Hurricane Harvey. As a result of flooding in the area, the City of Houston Permitting required for homeowner to show a repair permit. This information was shared with the homeowner who then became distressed and began to worry about what steps to take as it was imperative for them to have air conditioning installed for there first Texas hot Summer.

The homeowners made a single phone call to our 1.844.PERMIT.4 toll free line for help. We learned during this call that the homeowner’s house sits on a hill and only received about a foot of water during Hurricane Harvey that was pushed out within 24 hours with clean up to follow. No structural damage occurred and only changed out sheetrock and carpet.

After we held a few meetings with City of Houston Code Enforcement and Permitting, showing detailed repair documents including photos revealing water level, completing permit application, we were successful in obtaining a repair permit for homeowner. Once repair permit was obtained the HVAC company was then able to move forward in pulling their permit and both permits were properly closed after final inspections by Code Enforcement. Homeowners were grateful and living without fear from City Code Enforcement.

Lifting businesses up

When a Houston area restaurant owner saw low interest rates as a positive signal to expand and build-out new spaces, they struggled with their Architect attempting to manage permitting by himself. After significant delays and a host of rejection comments, the Project Owner reached out to us asking for assistance.

The PermitUsNow team reviewed the Project Owner’s plans, prerequisite documents, and rejection comments. We could see that there were building codes not properly met, equipment missing on materials list, and structural plans were insufficient. The PermitUsNow team produced a summary of what was needed to address City rejection comments, assisted in revising the plans and resubmitted to Permitting. The Project Owner was elated when we alerted them that their plans were being approved and building permit for their next location would be in hand soon.

In Conclusion

Obtaining permits for homeowners helps achieve their dreams and with businesses, a permit obtained in a timely manner helps them to achieve profitability sooner.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

5 Years after Hurricane Harvey and Still Without a Residential Building Permit?

I recently read in a local newspaper an article about a homeowner in Houston just receiving her reconstructed home after it was destroyed 5 years ago in August of 2017 from Hurricane Harvey’s flood waters. The homeowner was gleaming with joy with tears flowing down her face as she was handed her keys to her rebuilt house.

I know what you are thinking. Why did it take so long for this homeowner’s house to be reconstructed? A myriad of reasons have been stated by local and State government officials on why many homeowners are still waiting or recently moving into their homes after Hurricane Harvey. Some economically challenged homeowners were dependent on government funding to rebuild their house. Other homeowners that have insurance to cover cost of repairs struggled and many are still grappling with rebuilding from being caught in the snares of City Permitting with multiple rejections from attempting to handle permitting themselves or using a General Contractor not familiar with the permitting process, amendments and building codes.

Five years later and still struggling with permitting? Here are three steps to follow now.

1. Gather all documents that were submitted to the City Permitting office such as Architectural plans, civil site plans, drainage plans, surveys, etc.
2. Pull list of rejection comments issued by City Plan Reviewers
3. Conduct research for building code and permitting experts that have experience and is proven in obtaining building permits for Hurricane Harvey damage houses.

Although much time has passed since Hurricane Harvey know that as a property owner, you can keep your dream of returning to your home and living again in your community where you have long time neighbors, raised or raising your children and enjoying living there.

In addition, as a Contractor, I am resharing a story from a GC that called into the PermitUsNow’s toll free line that will remind you to pull a permit regardless of a dire situation you are faced with. Read article via link below.

August 8th, 2020

The GC that called in was faced with a huge problem as he was in the last few hours of repairing and building an addition to his elderly in-law’s house when out of nowhere a City Code Enforcement Officer shows up as asked to see the building permit and approved plans.

In Conclusion

As the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey approaches, many homeowners are still living with relatives or in a hotel or mobile home and yearn to be in their own home. We get it! After successfully pulling permits for approximately 200 houses damaged by Hurricane Harvey in Houston and surrounding areas, at PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

Contractor – Running in the Dark at the Permitting Center?

The only constant in this backlogged permitting environment are contractors are frustrated.

The path to getting a building permit has become more challenging for Contractors at large municipal jurisdictions like the City of Dallas or City of Austin and in small jurisdictions where growth is bursting at the seams.

25, 26, or 28 days for first time reviews for just one department can blow a Contractor’s preconstruction schedule, especially if the Contractor failed to factor in the actual days that it is taking a jurisdiction to review plans. This faux pas alone can cost a lot of time and money plus adversely impact the Project Owner.

Getting to the actual sales order and permit in-hand phase are so important during an economic cycle involving inflation, fluctuation of material costs and labor constraints. Delays in permitting not only cost Contractors’ money but until the completed project is turned over, the Project Owner stands waiting to produce revenue and to enjoy their dream.

The PermitUsNow team has witnessed an increase in calls to our toll-free line from Contractor’s struggling to pull their permits. We have heard stories from Contractors involving misses in permitting such as the following:

• GC Caller #1: We were unaware that a full set of plans were required because the tenant space had a different use.
• GC Caller #2: We submitted an already approved set of plans and the City said that we cannot use someone else’s plans.
• GC Caller #3: We started demolition and the City Inspector that came by and then shut us down because we had started actual construction without approved plans and a building permit to start work.

So, what’s doable? What do you suggest, Helen?

Here’s what I know. Following the basics works to provide light in the dark while you are running and helps to ground you in options to pursue to obtain your building permits.

Each project is unique even for the same footprint and programming like with franchise locations, but anchoring your construction plans with basic permitting steps can place you in a positive direction.

Here are the 5 basic steps to place in your permitting tools kit.

• Start early. Waiting until the last minute to package and submit permit package creates stress and creates a scenario to forget a key item.
• QA/QC permit package against the jurisdiction’s checklist based on type of project
• Punt assuming. Ask for assistance from Plan Reviewers or building permit experts prior to submitting to jurisdiction
• Track project through permitting reviews
• Respond in a timely manner to all rejection comments from jurisdiction

In Conclusion

Smart Contractors run in the dark with a lighted plan powered by the basic steps as mentioned above. And like X’s and O’s outlining plays in a football game, Contractors can cross the line with their building permit in hand. If you are scratching your head thinking that the pressures of permitting are too much of a problem to handle, call 1.844.PERMIT.4 for help.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

Stepped into Another Contractor’s Project that Left Customer in Distress? Follow these 7 Steps to Close-out Permits

Hi, my name is Don and my Niece, and her husband are waiting to move into their first newly built house. Their contractor packed up and left them a note saying their new house is finished. Code Enforcement stopped by asking questions and left some sort of violation.

Caller: “What can they do to move in as their apartment lease is up in a few days? They are a young married couple, and this is their first house.”

Sir, does your niece have a formal contract with General Contractor? Did your niece obtain a copy of the permits and any City inspection reports?

What is the address of their property?

From looking at the information online at the City, the General Contractor has not completed all the inspections, HVAC and electrical trade contractors need to call for their final inspections as well. And it appears that a sidewalk permit was never pulled.

Caller: “Can you help my niece and her husband coordinate final inspections with the City?”

Sir, we can coordinate inspections, but the General Contractor has the responsibility to address any rejection comments and deficiencies. Also, since the house is basically completed, the City’s plumbing and electrical Inspectors will ask to open one or more of the walls since the online system indicate a failed inspection due to insufficient insulation and there appears to be no inspection prior to closing walls.

Caller: “Can my niece move into new house?”

Sir, we are unable to advise you on your niece moving into house, but know two things, 1) there is a safety risk with house having known issues; and 2) that without passing final inspection, a Certificate of Compliance will not be issued.

The General Contractor has a fiduciary responsibility to honor formal contract and your best direction is searching for the Contractor as this eliminates having your niece to incur additional and unnecessary costs to engage another General Contractor and trades to call for inspection, complete punch list items i.e. make repairs and properly close out.

Has your niece paid the General Contractor? Caller: “Yes, Contractor has been paid in full.”

If you are truly unable to locate General Contractor, below are 7 steps to close our permits and obtain Certificate of Compliance.

• Request a formal letter from property owner saying the prior General Contractor left without finishing project and like to have new General Contractor to take over building permits
• Present that letter to the jurisdiction
• Complete proper jurisdiction documents
• Follow up and respond to any City request for information i.e. RFI’s
• Call City to schedule final inspections including trades coordinating their inspections
• Address punch list items and call for final inspection to close-out permits
• Obtain City final inspection approval and file Certificate of Compliance

In Conclusion

General Contractors walk off and leave Customers standing flat-footed for all kinds of reasons. Does it make it right? It is truly unprofessional, especially after being paid in full for project. If you have stepped into another General Contractor’s unfinished business, follow the 7 steps above to move toward closing out permits properly. If you are dumbfounded on how to move forward when stepping into a similar scenario, you can call 1.844.PERMIT.4 for help.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe

5 Key Steps to Keep a Sharp Eye on Your Plans During Permitting

It can be challenging for some Contractors to keep their focus on what’s happening with their plans while in Permitting. Getting distracted with day-to-day tasks is one factor.

When I was waiting for my favorite tacos to go at a local restaurant, I started watching one of the large screen TV’s near the bar. I saw a video of an old NFL football game and noticed that the wide receiver was just about to catch a pass when he took his eyes off the football to see how close the defensive players were to him.

Though what many might think this was logical to do and something that they might even do if they were playing in that position, but by taking his eyes off the football he failed to make the catch. Now it was 4th down and very long yards with the clock ticking and his team was behind in scoring. A single eye of focus would have shifted the momentum of the game in his team’s favor.

I grabbed my order of fresh avocado tacos and thought to myself that just like distractions can cause frustration and losses in games, the same occur in Permitting when Contractors lose focus of what is going on with the review of your plans.

Every now and then a Plan Reviewer can create a distraction and cause a stir. And in the rush of your busy day, you miss what is really going on with your plans and you suffer with more delays with unexpected rejection comments and RFI’s. We get it! We’ve heard the stories over and over from Contractors calling our hot line for help with obtaining their permits.

Here’s what we know: when submitting plans to Permitting, you must keep your eye on the process to make sure reviews are occurring in a timely manner and you are responding to comments quickly.

Below are 5 Key Steps to Keep a Sharp Eye on Your Plans During Permitting.

1. QA/QC your submittal package prior to uploading to jurisdiction portal to make sure you have all the proper documents based on City’s Permitting guidelines
2. Track your plans through completeness check
3. Monitor plans through departmental reviews for comments and RFI’s
4. Respond quickly to any City comments and RFI’s; and resubmit properly
5. 5. Pull stamped and approved plans and pay for permit

Distractions can cause football teams to lose games and even championships and losing focus can knock a Contractor off their game when consumed with other critical project tasks. It happens; and the above 5 basic steps are presented as helpful tips to keep you sharp.

In Conclusion

If you have multiple projects that you are juggling and find that you’re really too busy to handle your own permitting, you can call 1.844.PERMIT.4 for help. At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams.#BuildSafe

3 Lessons from Former NBA Coach Phil Jackson to Use in Pulling Permits

For the old basketball heads, sports gurus and superfans of the game, remember after Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls team to 6 NBA championships and everyone said he was crazy to think that he could coach the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship because Michael Jordan was the only reason that he won 6 rings in Chicago.

We know the truth and history shows that Phil Jackson went on to coach the LA Lakers to 5 championships.

So how did this happen? How was Phil Jackson able to take the Lakers team with all its member’s having an “it’s about me attitude” and become champions?

And the question, you must be asking now is what does Phil Jackson and the Lakers have to do with building permitting?

I’m glad you asked.

Here’s what happened with the Lakers when Phil Jackson was coaching. He benched the player’s egos and made it less about the individuals and more about the unit – the team and focused on the result – winning. This translates to building permitting.

Once the team member’s egos were shelved, Phil then emphasized the basics and the importance of communicating. This combination with the main ingredient led to 5 NBA championships that many who love the game still talk about today.

Now, what does this story have to do with building permitting?

First, remove the ego and focus on getting your permit. Going into a jurisdiction espousing who you are, what you have done for years in this city, etc. carries little weight at jurisdictions that treat every project the same and work on a first in first out basis.

Secondly, following the basics such as: 1) starting early, 2) holding predevelopment meetings, 3) QA/QC permit set and 4) submit properly.

Third, communicate regularly by following up with Plan Reviewers based on comments received, track progress of reviews and fully respond to all comments before resubmitting, if needed.

In Conclusion

Running an Architectural, and Contracting business has its challenges and permitting can add to your frustrations and the above three points will help you with your game. Taking a moment to see how other markets and industries like basketball approach problem solving and achieving goals can yield positive results and let you know in your arena that you require an expert to handle your permitting. If this is you, call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4 with any projects you need to win at permitting.

At PermitUsNow, we are committed to pulling permits for our Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1) Email us your plans, 2) Follow up on our feedback for any missing items, and 3) Let us get your permitting done for you. So, send us your plans today and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams. #BuildSafe