The Hidden Costs Behind Getting Your Construction Permits and How to Avoid Them

Construction projects are always exciting, but they can quickly turn into financial liability if you’re not careful. One of the biggest potential expenses during construction is getting your permits. Permitting is the process of obtaining approval from the city or county in order to begin construction on a project. And it is not possible to begin construction without the proper permits unless you’re building in deep rural areas.

However, the process of getting a permit can be long and complicated, often taking months to complete. This is especially true if you’re unfamiliar with the process or if there are any hiccups along the way. In addition, the costs of getting a permit can range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on the scope of your project.

So, if you are interested to know the hidden costs behind getting your construction permits and how to avoid them, read on.

The Hidden Cost behind Getting a Construction Permit

The permitting process for building projects can be time-consuming and expensive, but it’s worth the hassle when you know what to expect. In some cases, a few hundred dollars may suffice; in other cases, costs could easily reach thousands of dollars for a single permit.

Here are the hidden costs ideals mentioned below that you should take into account when budgeting for your construction project:

1. Application fees
2. Plan review fees
3. OT or Expedited Review Fees
4. Building Permit fees
5. Inspection fees
6. Professional consulting fees

How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of Getting a Construction Permit

There are a few hidden costs that can come with getting your construction permit. Fortunately, there are also ways to avoid these costs.

1. Do your research: The best way to avoid hidden costs is to do your research ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with the permitting process and what fees you can expect. By doing this, you can budget for your project and steer clear of any unwanted surprises.
2. Expedite the process: One way to avoid costly delays is to expedite the permitting process. This can be done by hiring a professional consultant or using an online permit service. These services can help you navigate the permitting process and get your project approved quickly.
3. Follow the rules: Finally, it’s important to follow all the rules and regulations when applying for a permit. If you fail to follow the rules, you may be required to pay additional fees or even be denied a permit altogether.

In Conclusion

No one likes paying fees, but when it comes to construction permits, the hidden costs can really add up. By being aware of the potential fees and how to avoid them, you can save yourself money set.

And one simple way to go about this is expediting the building permit process to use PermitUsNow. We completely know the ins and outs of the permitting process, so we can help you get your permit fast. For more information on building permit expediting, please visit our website or contact us today. We would be happy to help you get your project off the ground as quickly and smoothly as possible.

You can call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4, 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

4 Pillars of Safety Training Best Practices for Contractors

Construction sites are responsible for thousands of workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths every year in the United States alone, making them dangerous places to be. Even workers who aren’t on the site can still be at risk, as hazardous materials or equipment can easily spill out of the building and onto passersby, putting their lives in danger as well.

As building permit service providers, we know the dangers of construction sites, have made sure team members are OSHA 30 trained; and have some valuable insights into how to ensure the health and safety of your construction crew and improve job performance. Follow these best practices when training your team about on-site safety.

Create a Safety Plan

Construction site safety plans are often overlooked but should be considered a critical component of the construction process. Every worker on-site needs to understand their role in keeping themselves and other workers safe. The plan should identify potential risks and outline the roles of each individual and any person responsible for carrying out those responsibilities. All workers must know where to go if there is an emergency or an injury, as well as how to get help quickly. All equipment also needs to be clearly marked with its location so that anyone coming into contact with it will know what it does.

Review the Safety Plans with All Workers

The next step to a successful safety training program is to review the safety plan with all workers. This will allow them to see what is expected of them and why it is important. It also gives you the opportunity to make sure they are aware of any changes that have been made since their last safety training session. For example, if new equipment was introduced into the work area or a change was made in the work process.

Hold Regular Safety Meetings

Your crew should know about the safety training that is available to them, and you should make it a priority to hold regular safety meetings. These meetings are important because they remind your workers of what they need to do to keep themselves safe on the job. Not only that, but these meetings also allow you to identify potential hazards before they cause an accident.

Inspect the Work Site Regularly

Work site inspections are an important part of your job. It is important to inspect the work site regularly and make necessary repairs. This prevents accidents from happening and can help you avoid any fines that might be incurred due to safety violations.

In Conclusion

As a contractor, you must ensure that your crew has the necessary safety training to operate at a construction site. One of the most important things you can do is ensure that they are aware of all applicable building permits needed for the job. This includes what type of permit to get, where to go to get it, and how long it will take to process. If that sounds overwhelming to you, 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

Contractors: The Importance of Safety Plans on the Job Site

Safety should always be at the forefront of your mind when working on the job site. Whether you are an experienced contractor or just starting out, one accident can cost you thousands. This means that having a safe work plan and following it rigorously should be number one on your list of priorities, especially since most injuries occur due to human error, not construction mistakes or hazardous materials (although those are important to be aware of as well).

Here’s what you need to know about safety plans and how they can improve your life and career as a contractor.

What is a Safety Plan?

A typical construction site has many hazards that can result in injury or death. Tools, equipment, heavy machinery, and electricity are just some examples. This is why a safety plan is essential to every construction site.

A safety plan is a set of instructions that tells everyone working at the site what to do in emergencies and how to avoid them. Not only does this help protect workers, but it also helps contractors and/or developers avoid costly lawsuits.

A safety plan can be anything from a list of emergency contact phone numbers, an evacuation plan, or even an all-hazards approach that accounts for construction site accidents. It can also have information about potential hazards such as roofing materials, scaffolding, and ladders. Whatever your needs are, it is vital to have a plan in place, so you are prepared when something happens.

Why are Safety Plans Important?

Construction sites are dangerous places. Every day, some accidents happen that could have been prevented. That’s why it is essential to have safety plans in place and make sure that people know what to do if an accident happens. That way, when anything goes wrong, you can act quickly and effectively because your plan has already laid out your options for handling any problem situation. We recommend making a comprehensive list of all potential hazards that could happen at your job site with contingency plans for each one. You should also make sure to include contact information for local emergency services so that they will always know who to contact in case of an emergency.

In Conclusion

There are many steps to ensuring that you have the correct building permits, but it is crucial to start this process before you begin construction. This will help ensure that you have an easier time with inspections, and if your project does not pass inspection, you can be provided with guidance on how to make necessary changes. If you are too busy to handle your own permitting, though, 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 Ways Open Communications About Compliance with Building Codes Makes for a Safer Job Site

We have been in the construction industry and managing building permits for many years. And what we know for sure is there is no doubt that building codes exist to protect everyone from being injured or killed on the job site, and when they are followed, construction accidents are generally few and far between. In this article, we will look at some of the ways good communication about compliance with building codes can prevent accidents and help build the safest possible job sites you can have. Read on to learn more!

Importance of Communication About Compliance with Building Codes on a Building Site

Communication is one of the most important aspects of any job site. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and has the potential to save lives. The following are five ways good communication about compliance with building codes makes for a safer job site.

• When there is better communication, it means that everyone is aware of what hazards are present at any given time. For example, if a contractor discovers asbestos in an area they are working in, they can communicate this fact to everyone else on the site who may be working nearby. They can also discuss removing this hazard or protecting themselves from exposure.
• Lack of proper communication could lead to confusion during an emergency like a fire. For example, not knowing where the exit is could lead people in a panic running into each other as they try to escape from the building instead of outwards. There might be cases when too many people trying to flee through a small door leads them back inside because they did not know there was another way out.
• Workers can identify safety issues much faster when they can talk openly without fear of punishment. When workers don’t feel comfortable raising concerns or pointing out that a building permit was not pulled, mistakes in building to code, bad work habits can continue unchecked, and injuries will happen even more often.
• A lack of open dialogue could also affect morale as well as productivity. Not having the opportunity to voice thoughts and opinions on anything related to the job site leaves workers feeling disconnected, decreasing their engagement, motivation, and productivity.
• Without open dialogue about compliance with building codes, contractors are less likely to notice accidents before they happen, creating unsafe conditions for everyone on the job site. Open communications help build relationships between contractors, workers, and third-party partners such as clients and vendors. Clear communication is crucial to ensuring success on every project, no matter what industry you are in.

In Conclusion

Good communication and building codes go hand in hand. “But Helen, I did not know or the City did not tell me about this specific area.” Saying “I didn’t know” will not earn you points with local jurisdiction code enforcement officers and could result in serious fines or other penalties if your construction business does not comply with building codes. If you are too busy to handle your own permitting, though, 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

Disaster Preparedness for Contractors: 5 Crucial Tips

At this writing, tornados are ripping through Texas and a major snowstorm is pounding the Northeast U.S. What we do know is that disasters can strike at any time making disaster preparedness essential. Disaster preparedness is something that all building contractors should address since so many aspects of your job are subject to unforeseen weather changes and other disasters. While it is impossible to predict everything that can go wrong, you can do a lot to ensure your business’s continuity with these five crucial tips for disaster preparedness.

Keep an updated list of emergency contact information.

It is important to keep an updated list of emergency contact information. This should include phone numbers for the local police, fire department, and utility companies. You should also ensure your workers know how to reach you in an emergency. Include home and cell numbers, along with an email address where they can contact you outside of work hours. Keep these numbers updated, so they are ready to go when an emergency occurs. If you have remote workers who may not be close by during a disaster, make sure they have other ways to get in touch with you.

Know the evacuation routes.

Familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes of the job site. If there is a fire, you will be responsible for getting your workers to safety. If a hurricane is coming in, you will be responsible for evacuating your workers before it hits. Know the evacuation routes so that if there is an emergency, you will know how to get everyone out as quickly as possible.

Keep a first-aid kit on hand.

When disasters strike, emergencies can happen at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, there are many things that contractors can do to prepare for these situations. One of the easiest ways to ensure disaster preparedness is by keeping a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand. Be sure to include items like bandages and burn cream in your kit, as well as gauze and alcohol pads in case you need to clean up any wounds. Be sure to replace expired medicines, so your kit always stays stocked with medical essentials!

Train workers in disaster preparedness.

Another important step in disaster preparedness is to train your crew. Your workers should be aware of the different types of disasters that could happen, how they can prepare for these disasters, and what actions to take when an emergency arises. Training will also help prevent panic and confusion in a disaster.

Establish a command post.

A disaster can happen at any time, so it is important to be prepared. A key step to building a disaster plan is establishing a command post. This is where all pertinent information about the emergency will be gathered and disseminated. This can be your office, or you may need to designate an alternate site for your command post in case of flood damage or other disasters that might prevent you from operating from your usual space.

In Conclusion

Building contractors should be aware of the importance of securing building permits before any construction can take place. Securing these permits can also be a crucial step in disaster preparedness, as it will help you access important information, such as how to find out if your city is at risk for an earthquake or other natural disaster. If securing the proper permits sounds overwhelming, 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

One Key Word for Permitting Construction Projects in 2023: Play Ball!

Okay, you’re right “Play Ball” is two words and appreciate you paying attention to details as keen observation will be a required skill going into 2023.

I enjoy networking with Contractors, Developers, and others in the Construction Industry. I recently attended the American Turkic Real Estate and Construction Summit in Houston and here’s the bottom line for 2023 economy in the Texas and in the Houston area: slow growth, slowing growth, let’s go, we’re up for the challenge, respectively from the Dallas Federal Reserve, from a Banker’s panel and then from a panel of Builders and Developers.

While construction and other key market data may indicate certain economic conditions going into 2023 and beyond, here’s what the PermitUsNow team knows: regardless, if the construction market in your region is hot, cold, or lukewarm, there is one thing for sure; and that is obtaining a building permit in a timely manner is crucial for the success of your project. Having a building permit when it is required helps to start construction on time plus aids in completing construction ahead of schedule or at least, on time. And when finishing according to your project schedule, your customer can start operations and begin reaping a Return on Investment (ROI) and as the Contractor, you can smile with glee with another profitable job if all other key metrics fell in line.

A good friend of mine and a legacy in the Construction Industry – Mr. Pat Kiley always says, “you ought to thank your lucky stars that you’re in Texas!” I agree and going into 2023 and beyond, Houston and Texas for the most part are expected to be resilient. Slow growth in some areas, maybe, but realize that some Contractors will continue to be bullish and grow according to their plan. Will their growth be exorbitant as during the pandemic where for example, pre-pandemic large homebuilders would average about 5% to 7% Net profit and during the pandemic, Net profit rose to 20% and even higher which is wild. So, while the construction industry was healthy for many contractors and builders pre-pandemic, the reset or settling in to a new norm will require a different strategy and set of skills to maneuver including with permitting.

Again, whether the construction market is hot or appearing to flatline, following the 7 steps below are important for your success in obtaining a building permit in a timely manner.

1. Do your upfront work (preconstruction)
2. Review your plans and permit package before submitting to jurisdiction
3. Track, monitor and respond to any comments
4. Pay for and pull permit with stamped approved plans
5. Call for required inspections
6. Close-out and obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance
7. Say “Thank you” to your customer and team

In Conclusion

2023 and beyond will be challenging for many Contractors, Builders and even Architects that lack having a written plan to navigate permitting and changing market conditions. Those that find themselves in this situation can avoid fretting and can leverage key resources like PermitUsNow to assist in obtaining building permits. PermitUsNow lives and breathes jurisdictions across the state of Texas, Louisianna and other states and are available to handle your building permits.

You can call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4, 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

Contractors: What Does Futbol’ Have To Do With Permitting?

A few months ago, I was a featured workshop speaker providing insights and tips in navigating in the construction industry. Most folks that have heard me speak before or have read any of my articles know that I am a storyteller sharing real life stories from experiences from projects and often make stories become more alive by using sports analogies.

So, as I was emphasizing a point about the importance of staying consistent in providing excellent service in the marketplace to sustain business and win new work, I began to talk about one of the greatest US NFL Football players – Jerry Rice, the renown wide receiver that was and is the epitome of consistency. While team members would tease him during practice for catching the football and running full out to the end zone to score, Jerry Rice knew that being consistent in performance, regardless of the circumstances, was vital to win championships. And Jerry’s consistency helped to bring three NFL Super Bowl rings to his team members.

As I was sharing this story, one person in the audience began to laugh and said, that’s not football. Then I realized that everyone in the room may not be familiar with US Football or one of the greatest athletes of all time. What this person was not aware of is that I could have talked easily about Edouard Mendy or Peli’ Santos, who is regarded as the GOAT in futbol’ to stress the importance of consistency.

Helen this is a nice story and appreciate you being creative, but what does this have to do with building permitting? I’m glad that you asked and thank you for keeping me in line.

In futbol’…soccer, there’s an art to goalkeeping. The goalie’s eyes are kept on the ball at all times while keeping their feet shoulder width apart. The goalie’s brain is always scanning the field and their body is in sync ready to take action at a moment’s notice. To some, it may appear that the goalie is lounging around, but this is not the case. They are completely focused on moving swiftly and catching the ball.

To be successful in permitting, taking tips from the goalie is helpful because if you fail in one area then you can face a loss and significant delays. Below are 5 tips on being consistent in pulling your building permit in a timely manner.

• Submitting: QA/QC permit package to minimize missing any items or having deficiencies with plans, specs, etc. before and while submitting to jurisdiction.
• Monitoring: Keep a watchful eye during the plan review phase to see how reviews are progressing.
• Responding: Stay on your toes and be ready to respond quickly to any permitting jurisdiction comments or RFI’s.
• Paying: Pull sales order, pay for building permit, pickup or download stamped approved plans and permit and then get going!
• Thanking: Say thank you to the permitting staff for their assistance and keep a positive attitude into construction and when Inspector visits job site. Thanking the permitting staff also goes a long way in nurturing relationships with staff as you come back for another permit then another and another.

In Conclusion

Like in futbol’ there will be challenges along the way in permitting your project. Stay determined, follow the above tips to be consistent; and if you require expert assistance then ask for help. You can call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4, 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

Top 5 Ways to Make Memories When Building Your Residential Customer’s Home

Hint: Building Permit

Since 2020, the real estate market has been a roller coaster for homebuilders and homebuyers with the cost of materials shooting to all time highs and home prices increasing from 20% to 40% depending on the area of the country. And now even more changes are on the horizon.

One thing for sure is that when a homebuyer invests their hard-earned savings and place their dream in the hands of a General Contractor that homebuilder has a fiduciary job to deliver their customer’s dream. The first glimpse of making a dream come true is pulling a building permit.

Below are the top 5 ways to create good memories for your residential customer through permitting.

• Set a Positive Tone for Home Construction: If you have a contract to build a dream house for a first-time or 2nd or 3rd time homebuyer, let them know that you have everything to pull the proper permits for their project. Also, review timeline, general permitting processes, and associated building permit fees.
• Be Responsible and Do the Right Thing: QA/QC your permit package to make sure all required items are ready to submit. Complete permit application for the main building permit and submit package based on jurisdiction procedures.
• Stay Alert and Monitor Plan Reviews Through Permitting Departments: Respond to Plan Reviewers’ Request for Information (RFI’s) and rejection comments in a timely manner. Resubmit as needed and resume to tracking plan reviews for timely completion and approval to permit.
• Recognize and Record Key Milestone Achieved: When plan reviews are completed, pay for the main building permit, and pull stamped approved plans. Inform your customer that a key milestone of obtaining building permit has been achieved and can alert any subcontractors to pull trade permits as needed.
• Now Ready to Start Construction: Post main building permit on site, place copy of stamped plans where can be easily accessible including when City Building Inspector comes on site, alert your team, and start construction. Also, let the property owner know that progressive inspections will be coordinated as required by jurisdiction and then a final inspection of home will occur as the closing assurance that all aspects of home were built to approved plans and to building codes. Once completed, your customer can expect to receive a Certificate of Compliance for their records.

In Conclusion

Only the Homebuilding Industry folks with colorful charts and statistics may know the direction that residential market is heading in the next 2 to 5 years based on cost of materials, mortgage interest rates, home affordability and other factors. While market dynamics are happening note that there are still homebuyers with a picture of their dreamhouse looking for trustworthy homebuilders to meet their needs.

The PermitUsNow team knows this kind of homebuilder pulls proper building permits and if such a homebuilder is too busy to manage the permitting process, they are welcome to 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

4 Phases of Permitting to Ensure Construction Job Site Safety

It still happens where building permits are missed and when this happens the ultimate construction safety sin has occurred. Some Contractors forget. Others skirt around jurisdiction requirements. Some Contractors do right thing and believe they pulled the correct permits and are surprised to learn otherwise when City Inspectors show up on the job site and point out missing permit.

Building permits are required for most construction projects to make sure structures and infrastructure comply with jurisdiction and industry building codes for safety. Typically, there are 4 phases during construction that are important milestones for safety check. See below the 4 phases and take note to hone your construction processes as needed.

Pull Main Building Permit: Building permits of some magnitude are required prior to starting construction depending on the project scope i.e. remodel, renovation, demolition, minor repair, expansion, addition, etc. There are some exceptions to this typical industry rule of thumb if a project is in a rural area. And with so much growth and expansion in rural areas in many parts of the U.S., the PermitUsNow team surmises that rural areas will adopt new ordinances impacting permitting.

Make Sure Trade Contractors Pull Proper Permits: Based on project scope, once the main building permit is paid for and pulled, the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire, etc. trades can proceed in pulling their perspective permits. Failure to do so will result in a violation being issued by a City Inspector when visiting job site and in a worst-case scenario, the City Inspector can shut down job site. To avoid this situation, all involved trades are to pull permits, provide copy to GC; and make sure permits posted on job site.

Call for Inspections (Preconstruction/Progressive/Post): Depending on the scope of work, some jurisdictions require a preconstruction meeting before any work gets started. During this preconstruction meeting, the City Inspector will go through a checklist of items and relay expectations including when to call for progressive inspections. Adhering to directives issued during the preconstruction meeting minimizes punch list of items to fix where Inspector may point out was not building to code. Also, during progressive inspections, a need may arise for a revision permit which the appropriate Contractor will need to obtain to complete a portion of work. After completing construction, a post or final inspection is required. Contractors are advised to be on site during all inspections and is critical at the final inspection.

Job Close-out and Obtain CO: Typically, after the final inspection is completed and passes, the City Inspector files their report and depending on the jurisdiction (and Inspector’s workload), a Certificate of Occupancy or could be a Certificate of Compliance will be issued within 24 hours. Once CO is issued, Contractor provides a CO to Property Owner for their assurance, records and to post per jurisdiction ordinance.

In Conclusion

Here’s what we know for sure about construction job safety as it relates to permits. Before you pull out a hammer, crank up a bulldozer, or turn on a drill to begin construction work, you first need to review permit requirements and make sure you have pulled the correct permits. Permits are your first line of offense to build safe.

Complying with building codes and submitting permit packages can be a challenge for busy Architects and Contractors and if this sounds like you, PermitUsNow 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

5 Permitting Tips for Public Works Contractors

It is always a great feeling to sign a new contract. Be it for a commercial or public project, the sound of hearing the words, “you have been awarded xyz job” is sweet music. This was apparent when picking up a package at the Post Office, a Contractor saw the PermitUsNow wrapped fleet truck and came over to ask the following question.

Contractor: “Do you pull permits for city road projects?”

PermitUsNow: Yes, we do. How can I help you?

Contractor: “We are doing some intersection saw cuts, installing new driveways and culverts; and the City gave us a violation notice the other day for not having the proper permits and mentioned something about trees.”

PermitUsNow: What is your full project scope? Where is project located? Do you have a copy of violation?

The above kind of scenario occurs often and the PermitUsNow team members are passionate about answering questions and providing insights to Contractors, Architects and Project Owners even when we are in the field. Below are 5 permitting tips shared with the public works contractor to assist him in getting back on track with construction.

• Review contract to see if the City Engineer or contracted Civil Engineering firm have the responsibility to pull permits.
• Double check with City Public Works PM and let them know about violations plus steps to resolve.
• If Contractor is responsible to pull permits including for impact to trees and ROW infrastructure like light poles, make sure registered with the jurisdiction which will require your Certificate of Insurance, and bond information.
• Confirm number of driveways, culverts, intersections, etc. based on scope shown in contract.
• Review project schedule to assess phasing of permits and how long will require street closure and sidewalk permits.

In Conclusion

Municipal roadway projects are often challenging, especially when work involves high traffic and busy city streets with complex utilities. Contractors are advised to review the above 5 tips to minimize project delays and to avoid negatively impacting public travel. With so much infrastructure work going on in many cities and upcoming bond work in the U.S, Contractors can call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4 for permitting assistance.

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