Helen Callier Selected as One of HEB’s Annual Supplier Diversity Opportunity Exchange and Expo Speakers

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Media Contact:
Helen Callier, President
281.312.9981 Mobile | helen@permitusnow.com

PermitUsNow’s Helen Callier Selected as One of HEB’s Annual Supplier Diversity Opportunity Exchange and Expo Speakers
HEB’s Annual Supplier Diversity event is usually held in San Antonio, Texas and this year is being streamed online via Zoom

HOUSTON, TX – (September 28, 2020) – PermitUsNow is proud to announce that Helen Callier, President of PermitUsNow, has been named as one of the speaker’s by HEB’s Supplier Diversity to present during their Annual Opportunity Exchange and Expo.

This year’s event is occurring on the Zoom platform where Helen’s will present “The Pivoting of PermitUsNow and Evolution with HEB” during the Construction workshop. Helen will cover steps followed to pivot in 2020 to flex and continue to serve clients like H-E-B Grocery with exceptional service.

“We are really happy and grateful to continue to work on all types of H-E-B projects across Texas; and with Helen selected as a speaker of this year’s H-E-B Opportunity Exchange says a lot about our partnership with H-E-B.” Moruf Jimoh, AAIA, Technical Manager, PermitUsNow

To be selected, annual event speakers for the construction workshop are recommended by HEB Supplier Diversity and are given the nod of approval by H-E-B’s Construction Project Managers.

“Thank you for the awesome work you do for HEB. It is our honor to have you as a speaker and to have PermitUsNow as a part of our family.” Crystal Royal, HEB, Manager, Supplier Diversity.

The speakers will present on September 28, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. CST with a questions and answers session following. The session will be recorded for future replays and for those that may have missed the live session. Other Construction workshop speakers include Yvette Robinson, Owner, Robinson General Contractor, and Taryn Ritchie, Pre-Construction Manager, Ryan Companies.

Callier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Prairie View A&M University. She has received numerous business awards and honors including the WTS Rosa Parks Diversity Award, the SBA Women Business Champion Award, Houston SBA MEDWeek Mentor of the Year; the Houston Minority Business Development Council’s E-10 Award; a feature on American Express’ Small Business Open Forum on building relationships for winning government contracts; and recognition by Minority Business Entrepreneur Magazine for her participation in an invitation-only roundtable discussion with 20 women of color business owners and White House, Congressional and U.S. Small Business Administration leaders. She is active in chambers and industry associations and serves as a State of Texas Commissioner on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. She is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program and HCCS Business Plan Competition.

For a full biographical profile on Callier, please visit www.linkedin.com/in/helencallier.

About Permit Us Now, LLC

Founded in September 2016, Permit Us Now, a division of Bradlink LLC, is the go to one-stop building permitting firm that helps Project Owners, Architects, Engineers and Contractors save time and money plus start construction in a timely manner. Permit Us Now covers over 300 jurisdictions in Texas and expedites permits in other states in the U.S. Permit Us Now, is located downtown Houston, Dallas, Texas and maintains an office in Austin, Texas. Permit Us Now manages permits from programming to design phase to close out for commercial, institutional, and residential projects with a team of recognized experts. Permit Us Now was also recognized in 2019 by Subcontractors USA for leadership and innovation in the construction industry.

Through its parent company, Permit Us Now is a certified minority and woman-owned business through the City of Houston, NMSDC, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), an MBDA San Antonio, TX client, and a participant in the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) program. Clients of Permit Us Now include JOERIS, Burns and McDonnell, OTG – The Experience | United Airlines, Perkins and Will, Horizon, SpawGlass, McCarthy Construction, Acuform, BrakeCheck, CVS and many others.

For more information on Permit Us Now, LLC, please visit www.permitusnow.com or follow @permitusnow, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Is – It’s the City’s – Problem Holding Up Your Permit?

How many times have you said, “it’s the City”? Once, twice, or more than a dozen times?

From all project files being uploaded into one mygov folder to plans not sealed to sheets stamped as “not for construction” to arguing about the City uses the wrong IBC (International Building Code) to a plethora of other reasons for pointing fingers and blaming the local jurisdiction.

Here is what we know, and do for our clients, is to start early with the permitting process to minimize and mitigate as many reasons for delays and rejections as possible once the plans are submitted for permitting. Depending on the type of project i.e. new ground up, major renovation, remodels, or major repairs, the early phase of design may differ slightly followed by the pre-construction phase. It is, at the latest, during the pre-con phase, the best time to review jurisdiction’s web site for the following:

• Changes in permitting processes
• Confirm building codes
• Review design checklist for any deficiencies
• Check on required pre-requisite documents

Often, we will receive a call from a Contractor, Project Owner or from an Architect saying, “the City is not listening to us and is holding up our permit. Can you help respond to the rejection comments”? We ask, “how long have the plans been at the City?” And after reviewing the notes in the jurisdiction’s online system, we frequently find that there may be two or three critical rejection comments and once those are addressed all the other comments drop off because they are being caused by the major two or three comments.

With frustrations high, the Contractor, Project Owner or Architect, says, “handle it!” because they need the permit like yesterday. We get it; and understand Plan Reviewers’ mindset, different cultures across jurisdictions, latest building codes, best way to address jurisdiction comments and pull a building permit as quickly as possible.

To assist those in a “It’s the City” problem position right now, below are 5 tips to consider to re-calibrate and to obtain permit in a timely manner.

1. Pull all rejection comments from jurisdictions
2. Review original plan set submitted and mark-up copy of plans based on comments to review with your team
3. Contact Plan Reviewer to schedule a meeting to review in person or by phone
4. Have a positive attitude, and jot down your thoughts of best approach to address comments to review with Plan Reviewer
5. Take notes when meeting with Plan Reviewer and when there is a sticking point, ask if they would consider xyz change or what about this approach to meet code.

In Conclusion

Most readers to keep up with my monthly column know that I believe in following the basics in permitting. Like in sports i.e. football, basketball, soccer, etc., you win the game by mastering the basics. And in permitting, covering the basics are the key foundation to pulling permits in a timely manner and minimizes headaches. So, review the 5 tips above for your simple offensive moves to make sure you are moving in the right direction and eliminating the words “It’s the City” from your vocabulary. That’s it for now. Call us first at 1.844.PERMIT.4 when have questions on building permits.
#BuildSafe.

8 Steps to Follow When Completed Construction and Failed to Pull a Building Permit

Three years ago, one of the most devastating storms to hit the Texas Gulf Coast caused over $125 billion in damage and made a horrendous impact in the Houston area. Today, the PermitUsNow continues to receive phone calls from Contractors, Architects, and property owners with pleas for assistance in obtaining building permits to restore and in many cases, rebuild homes.

From General Contractors working on multi-family buildings to single-family residences attempting to help those in need. Below is one such call to our toll-free line with the Contractor’s first name being changed.

Hi, my name is Sam and I like to know if you handle permits after construction is completed. You see I was just finishing that last part of the roof on a small room addition and a City Inspector stopped by. My heart sunk when I saw the Inspector get out of his city vehicle. He walked back towards where I was working; and he identified himself as the City Inspector. He then asked to see the building permit.

I told the Inspector that my in-laws are elderly and have been living in a hotel for a long time after their home became unbearable to live in after being flooded by Hurricane Harvey. They have spent most of their savings and I was simply helping them get back home. I was able to purchase the materials at a discount, did a lot of the work myself with a couple of licensed trade folks I know; and I am basically finishing the roof now. Please, is there anything you can do? All work was done to code, I made sure of that so my in-laws can be safe.

Helen, does your company pull permits in cases like this one with a city violation and if so, how much will it cost? Sam, the work completed is way beyond a refresh or repairs, since you moved internal structural walls, added a new 400 sq. ft. sunroom installed new windows and extended roofing. The jurisdiction will require you to provide a set of plans and go through major departmental reviews. This will take some time to obtain a building permit.

Sam asks, so how long do you think it will take? My elderly in-laws do not have the money and I really need to get them out of the hotel.
I understand you are wanting to save your in-laws’ money and at this point, this is a huge challenge to be able to do so after construction is completed. Have you thought about contacting the City of Houston Housing, or a local Church or the County, as they have programs to assist the elderly with housing needs.

We get it. Times are tough for thousands of people across the Houston area that are still in need of repairs, renovations, or even a new home after hurricane Harvey. For a Contractor taking on such a project, the right thing to do is to pull the appropriate building permit based on the type of construction being done. Avoiding to pull a building permit places your customer at risk.

To assist those contractors facing a challenging situation as described in the story about Sam above, consider below 8 steps to follow when pulling a building permit after construction has started or is completed.

• Be truthful with the customer and let them know that you failed to pull the necessary permit and you are stopping work to resolve issue
• Identify all work completed
• Obtain the necessary plans based on the scope of work along with the required prerequisite documents
• QA/QC package before submitting to jurisdiction permitting center
• Prepare permit application and follow the necessary steps to submit package electronically
• Track reviews online and make sure to respond to any comments in a timely manner
• Pull permit then post on job site
• Request City Inspection

In Conclusion

Keep in mind that professional and quality work first starts during the preconstruction phase on any job. During this phase, building permits are to be pulled to comply with local jurisdiction codes and ordinances. Skipping this step costs your customer money and creates unnecessary stress on your end. If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve failed to pull a proper permit, review the 8 steps for pulling a building permit after construction is started or completed. And you can always call the PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4 team to answer any question and for assistance.
#BuildSafe.

The Top Ten Mistakes Contractors Often Make When Submitting Online for Permit

The past few months have thrown many Contractors into a frenzy figuring out how to submit plan electronically. While some contractors plowed on through and wasted time figuring out how to submit, others attempted to go the jurisdiction only to be told to submit online and then there were those contractors so frustrated and proceeded to start construction without a permit.

When the latter scenario happens, realize the City Inspector like a magical Genie knows there was no permit pulled; and your job may be shut down or you are handed a violation with your shutdown. Either way, not pulling a permit will cost you money and time to resolve.

To assist those realizing the online submitting plans world for permitting is here to stay, below is the list of the top 10 mistakes that contractors make when submitting for a building permit online. This is data collected from hearing some stress-filled stories from contractors about their electronic plans submissions.

• Mistake 1: Placed all files in one folder; most of the time called “my docs” type folder. The Reviewer will not take the time to hunt and search for your files. If files are not in the correct folder will cause a rejection; if it even gets assigned.
• Mistake 2: Missing cover sheet with plan set
• Mistake 3: Failed to properly label files correctly
• Mistake 4: Not separating sheets and uploaded one complete plan set. Jurisdictions will not do your work for you and sheets are to be separated for departmental reviews. Visit jurisdiction’s web site for guidance.

• Mistake 5: Plans attempting to submit are not signed.
• Mistake 6: Plans stamped review only and not for construction. We hear about this one often and this becomes an automatic rejection from the jurisdiction.
• Mistake 7: Missing prerequisite documents
• Mistake 8: Uploading not sure what to do with files in the “misc” folder online
• Mistake 9: Did not use correct forms based on type of project to be constructed
• Mistake 10: Files not uploaded. Important to confirm that files were uploaded and simply hitting the submit button without seeing validation will cause you to believe that you have submitted for permitting; and in the real world, you have not.

The above is a short list of mistakes that we see contractors make. To minimize challenges in submitting for your building permit online, consider visiting the jurisdiction’s web site or reach out to a permit expediter that has intimate knowledge of online system and perspective jurisdiction.

In Conclusion

From you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, to bellyaching about not being able to submit manually to questioning why a 1-day permit in person process now takes up to 5 days are understandable admissions. The best way to move forward in the electronic plan submission world is to devise a game plan and execute using the 10 mistakes about as a checklist of what to avoid. You can also give PermitUsNow a call a 1.844.PERMIT.4 to walk you through online plan submission as we have trained other contractors of the do’s and don’ts or you can engage our services to permit your project to achieve savings and alleviate permitting stress.
#BuildSafe.

11 Tips to Prepare to Pull a Building Permit During Hurricane Season

Hurricane season officially kicked off along the Texas Gulf Coast area on June 1, 2020 and runs through November 2020. And while this region has experienced many thunderstorms, major floods and hurricanes over the years that wreaked havoc, Hurricane Harvey, and its aftermath in 2017, was a wake-up call still fresh in our memory that created many challenges in obtaining building permits.

After the Hurricane Harvey natural disaster, many Architects, Contractors and Project Owners were impacted by delays in permitting for various reasons. Delays from reduced staffing at Permit Centers to adjusted hours of operations at jurisdiction to unanswered emails from Plan Reviewers to dealing with stressed Permitting staff managing increased workloads are some of the cited factors.

We have heard the stories of frustrations plus have assisted Architects and Contractors to overcome hurdles to obtain their permits as quickly as possible. We know that delays cost time and money; and to help you mitigate risks in experiencing delays in Permitting before and after a hurricane, consider using the following 11 tips.

• Visit jurisdiction’s web site to review checklists and building codes related to your type of project
• Call, meet with, or conference with jurisdiction’s Plan Reviewers in advance to discuss any areas of concern with project design meeting code
• Punt assuming and review 100% plan set for compliance to building codes before submitting
• If not familiar with online permit application and package submission, watch training video, read instructions or call Permitting Center for assistance.

• If have long lead items associated with project, plan deferred submittals in advance
• Assess impact of review times from TXDOT and private utilities; and then plan accordingly
• Review project phasing such as obtaining one building permit or separate construction project into several phases to permit as a possible approach to better meet your project timeline and budget
• Follow up with Plan Reviewers, Project Owners, and others associated with obtaining your permit.
• Respond to jurisdiction departmental review rejection comments in a timely manner
• Seek expert help, if needed
• Say “Thank you” – people work with people in this industry and saying “Thank you” makes a difference

In Conclusion

Developing a permit plan for hurricane season is important to minimize delays and be positioned to start construction on time. This is particularly critical in 2020 with added factors associated with global pandemic and other community crises causing disruptions in staff concentration, impact on hours of operations, and changed access to Permitting Centers.

The PermitUsNow team has served commercial, industrial, and residential clients along the Gulf Coast and across Texas before and post natural disasters. If you need help creating a permitting plan with estimated costs of building permits and a general timeline, call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4 We have a proven model that works; and we are grateful to share key tips to assist your organization in obtaining permits during the 2020 hurricane season.
#BuildSafe.

12 Proven Practical Steps to Obtain Building Permits in any Economic Market Condition

Scratching your head attempting to figure out how to obtain your building permit when the Permitting Center is closed to walk-ins during epidemic. You are not alone. Our toll-free line has been ringing with questions from Architects to Contractors. Questions like the following:

• Can you tell me if the City of San Antonio is still conducting inspections?
• Are there any delays with the Electrical companies connecting power to finished buildings once we have CO?
• Is there any impact in the plan review time on commercial projects in the City of Austin?
• We were told the Baytown Health Inspectors are not conducting inspections, is this true?

And the questions go on and on with our team of Permitting experts sharing insights and the latest information as we are in steady contact with over 300 jurisdictions in Texas to serve our clients and be a resource for the construction industry.

In addition to responding to inquiries, we share that whether the construction market is hot, warm or cold, obtaining a building permit without delays is vital to start construction in a timely manner and is important when involving deferred submittals.

To assist in obtaining building permits, employing proven practical steps like the (12) listed below positions your design or construction firm to be successful in permitting.

• Start Early – Avoid last minute scramble in reviewing building codes, changes in permitting process and tossing the permit package together. Getting started early allows you to minimize risks in permitting, make necessary changes and insure have all required documents.
• Visit Jurisdiction’s Web Site – Check for latest changes in building codes, hours of operation and how submissions are being processed. This step alone can save you lots of time and money.
• Contact Jurisdiction – Permitting staff are available to answer questions on properly completing forms, approach in meeting building codes, and so much more. Call, email or schedule an appointment to meet with specific permitting staff.
• QA/QC Permit Package – Prior to submitting electronically or in person
• Engage a Permitting Expert
• Manage Uploads – Submit electronically and make sure placing in the correct folders to avoid being rejected.
• Pay Jurisdiction Fees – Certain fees are due upfront such as plan review fees, and best to pay water/wastewater fees early to minimize delays on backend of permitting.
• Monitor Progress
• Respond to RFI’s – Address all jurisdiction rejection comments in a timely manner.
• Ask Questions – If need assistance, reach out to the Plan Reviewer. Note: This may be a challenge when jurisdiction uses third-party plan reviewers.
• Say Thank you
• Purchase Building Permit and Start Construction

In Conclusion

Yes, you can scream and shout at the Plan Reviewer. Yes, you can call your elected official to ask them to scream and shout to obtain your building permit. You can do this, but before you move in that direction, consider using the practical tips mentioned above as they are proven on residential including complex multi-family, commercial, industrial and other construction projects requiring a building permit.

And if your project is truly difficult, reach out to a Permit Expediter as they stay abreast of the latest changes in permitting, are knowledgeable of building codes and have established relationships to cut through the chase in any market conditions.

If you have any tips on obtaining building permits fast, I love to hear your story. Connect with me on Linkedin or call 1.844.PERMIT.4
#BuildSafe.

Bulletin – Workforce Pandemic

March 26, 2020

Bulletin – Workforce Pandemic

Bradlink LLC and its subsidiary PermitUsNow LLC is classified under the essential critical infrastructure necessary to continue operations under the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). We fall under Article XI: Infrastructure, Development, Operation and Construction.

Please contact the parties noted below if you have any concerns.

Helen Callier, President
Bradlink LLC and its subsidiary PermitUsNow LLC
Direct: 281.312.9981
Email: helen@bradlinkllc.com | helen@permitusnow.com

Monica Bradshaw, Chief Administrative Officer
Direct: 281.312.9984
Email: Email: monica@bradlinkllc.com

How to Obtain City Building Permits During a Wide-spread Health Challenge

Here’s what we have learned over the years in expediting building permits across the state of Texas and areas in the United States: Regardless if the economy is hot, warm or cold, obtaining a building permit fast is crucial for starting a project on time and in opening new businesses, roadways, etc. for use. This is also the case during natural catastrophes like floods along the Gulf Coast and even when health epidemics occur.

To assist your design or construction company in obtaining a building permit in a timely manner, below you will find 5 basic tips to minimize contributing factors that can cause a delay.

• QA/QC all documents in your permit package prior to submitting to jurisdiction
• Check jurisdiction’s web site for guidelines and checklists based on your project type
• Call jurisdiction’s Plan Reviewers and Plan Analysts to discuss areas of concerns
• Ask a building code and permitting expert for assistance
• Address all RFI’s with enough details versus leaving blank

In addition, with the epidemic causing a lot of concerns for Architects, Project Owners and Contractors, we are monitoring state of Texas area jurisdictions impact on staffing, hours of operations, type of submissions, and other changes in processes that may delay plan reviews and issuance of permits. Also, most of the jurisdictions that we work with realize the importance of their role and are responding as quickly as possible. All the jurisdictions that we have spoken with are attempting to adhere to normal plan review times, but you should plan for a delay of some magnitude.

Here’s the Latest News on Some Texas Area Permitting Centers

• CITY OF PEARLAND (COP) – As of the time of writing this article, COP jurisdiction is business as usual. Check web site for the latest on operation and staff levels.
• CITY OF DALLAS (COD) – Electronic submissions of permit packages is the current process. Appointments are required to meet with a Plan Reviewer and to drop off any documents.
• CITY OF HOUSTON (COH) – All paper plans are to be converted to soft copy and all submissions are to be done electronically. You can check the web site for information and guidance on submitting online. Inspections at the time of this writing are being completed as usual.
• CITY OF AUSTIN (COA) – Onsite meetings occur by appointments only with Plan Reviewers. Inspections are being handled virtually. More information is available on COA’s web site.
• CITY OF SAN ANTONIO (COSA) – At the time of this article, it is business as usual and inspection are as usual. Please monitor the web site for any changes as things are changing rapidly or you can call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4.
• FORT BEND COUNTY – Meetings with Plan Reviewers and to drop off any documents are by appointment only at the time of this writing. Inspections are as usual.
• HARRIS COUNTY – Accepting plans electronically.

In Conclusion

The 5 basic tips shared above are meant to alert the design and construction community to keep in mind simple steps to use to minimize frustration and delays in city permitting. We suggest staying in close communications with jurisdictions, monitoring permitting centers’ web sites, answering your phone, and checking your email to make sure progress is being made. Whether the construction market in your region is hot, warm or cold for whatever reason, obtaining a building permit in a timely manner is vital to help make sure structures of all kinds are built safe and ultimately, aid in improving quality of life. If you have updates on changes at jurisdictions and tips on permitting, please let me know. I love to hear from you at 1.844.PERMIT.4 and Linkedin.
#BuildSafe.

The Top 7 Mistakes Small Contractors Make While Visiting the Permitting Center

Going to Permitting Center sucks time from small contractors’ busy days that are often filled with worries about construction tasks and budgets. Many contractors will call us voicing their frustrations about delays in permitting and the challenge of going back and forth talking with Plan Reviewers that seem not to hear what they are saying. Many will leave wondering what they could have done differently to have obtained final approval and a building permit.

We get it. Small contractors’ primary focus is on budgeting, buying materials, reviewing construction documents, getting quotes from trades and outlining the job schedule with pulling the building permit taking a backseat because of past experiences. And then in a “have to” get a permit moment, small contractors head to the Permitting Center and march in on a mission to succeed in getting final approvals. Instead of having a big smile upon leaving with permit in-hand, we have found that the following are the top 7 mistakes small contractors make while visiting the Permitting Center without the approval of plans.

• Not prepared for meeting with Plan Reviewer – Have not thoroughly reviewed rejection comments prior to meeting or missing documents requested for clarification
• Arriving minutes before Jurisdiction closes – Plan Reviewer and Permitting Staff push hard during working hours and most are mentally tired at the end of the day. Arriving minutes before closing presents a high risk of being able to see Plan Reviewer unless scheduled an appointment and being able to convey your position at the end of the day.
• Have open violations from previous projects – Jurisdictions dictate building codes to make sure structures are building safe for use. When violations are unaddressed, the jurisdiction can and many AHJ’s do withhold issuing a building permit on new work. This is especially the case if violation is at same site.

• Not aware of open permits on prior completed jobs – This is a show-stopper and at some point, the jurisdiction will deny releasing a permit until permits are closed out on prior completed jobs.
• Assumed a defensive posture when speaking with Plan Reviewers and just about any staff approached at jurisdiction – Realize that people and people and Plan Reviewers are there to do a job that is safety focused. Having a defensive attitude quickly turns off another person and can yield the opposite of what you were wanting i.e. approval and a building permit.
• Compared project scope to another project in another jurisdiction – realize that jurisdictions have different zoning laws and work in accordance to different building codes which make comparisons null and void.
• Demeaned Plan Reviewer and asked to speak with Manager

In Conclusion

While going into jurisdictions with a tough stance may be your preferred way to pursue final approvals. We have found plus have shared with small contractors that operating with an attitude of respect, preparing for meetings at jurisdiction, checking on any open permits and violations are a few steps they can use to move the needle forward in obtaining a building permit in a timely manner. If you have suggestions on obtaining permits without frustrations and time delays, please let me know. You can reach me on Linkedin or by calling 1.844.PERMIT.4
#BuildSafe.

7 Tips To Clean Up Your Act If Started Construction Without A Main Building Permit

We receive lots of phone calls from desperate project owners and often some contractors wave at us or knock on the window of our wrapped trucks at a particular jurisdiction. Conversations vary on types of projects and the kinds of problems being experienced.

So, when a contractor approached me a few weeks ago in Austin if we help in pulling permits after a job has started, I asked him what kind of project and how much work had been completed to date. He quietly commented on the type of work being done and said that he was a small subcontractor that needed the work and did not want to get into trouble with the General Contractor.

Here’s what we do know. Most Contractors are ethical and professional in their work and in serving customers. Some Contractors get busy and honestly think they pulled the main building permit, but only have a demo permit. It happens and when this occurs, simply move forward right away in closing the gap in pulling the main building permit. Also, truth-be-told, a few Contractors use questionable practices, and some are pushed by Project Owners to do whatever it takes to get a building renovated or newly constructed even if this means poor quality materials and shoddy work.

That’s a nice story Helen about the subcontractor in Austin. What do I do now if I am in a pickle needing help now in obtaining a building permit and want to prevent the job from being shut down and possibly fined by the jurisdiction?

Below are 7 tips to obtain a construction permit if have started actual construction.

• Stop all work on project (new construction, major renovation, etc.) including informing subcontractors to cease all activities. And if you are a subcontractor, alert GC that you failed to pull a permit and are stopping work to correct problem immediately. As painful as this first tip sounds and is a hit to your pockets, it is the right thing to do to insure building in a safe manner and to avoid major violations (fines).
• Inform the Project Owner to let them know of failure to pull main building permit and relay your steps taking to obtain a construction permit ultimately addressing a building safety issue.
• Pull together all plans and prerequisite documents depending on the type of project.

• QAQC permit package to make sure meeting building codes including using jurisdiction checklist as a guide. Most jurisdictions have checklists on their web sites.
• If have questions on building codes, contact a permitting expert like PermitUsNow or the jurisdiction by phone, email or schedule an appointment to meet with a plan reviewer.
• Complete permit application and formerly submit to jurisdiction in person or using online system depending on the type of project and the jurisdiction.
• Track, monitor and respond immediately to any plan reviewer questions or rejections so can continue in permitting.

In addition, most of the large jurisdictions that we deal with across the state of Texas have a one-day or one-stop process for small projects if criteria are met. This means little downtime on your project while pulling a main permit for compliance and safety purposes.

More complex projects require longer review times so make sure to factor in that time when readjusting construction project schedule and impact on budget.

In Conclusion

Since the beginning, it has been our goal and commitment to be a resource to assist Project Owners, Architects, and Contractors in obtaining permits fast so construction can start in a timely manner. We answer calls coming into our toll-free line, respond to emails from permitusnow.com and chat with Contractors when at permitting centers. We believe that we are all on the same team so-to-speak in the construction industry that builds, repairs and renovates in a way that is safe and that improves the quality of use for persons using structure. And if by chance, you’ve had a hiccup in obtaining a building permit, please re-read the 7 tips above or call us at 1.844.PERMIT.4
#BuildSafe.