“It’s about saving time, money, and energy.”

That one line sums it all up. In this industry, those three things — time, money, and energy — are the most valuable currencies. Yet, one of the biggest and most avoidable drains on all three? Submitting a design that’s already outdated the moment it hits the reviewer’s desk.

Why My Designs Don’t Get Kicked Back

The PermitUsNow team members have worked on projects where even a well-planned, beautifully scoped design was rejected — not because of bad design, but because it wasn’t aligned with the most recent ordinance or building code amendment. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are — if you’re not working with up-to-date information, your submission is at risk.

That’s why we’ve made it a habit to track code changes closely. For example, the City of Houston releases regular newsletters and alert systems with updates to ordinances and codes. Other jurisdictions do the same. It may seem small, but being on those email lists can save weeks in back-and-forth revisions.

The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Amendments

Most design professionals understand the codes — but not everyone stays ahead of the changes.

If you build a scope based on an old version of the code, and an amendment has shifted a requirement (even slightly), your design might get flagged. And when that happens, you’re not just getting a comment — you’re getting a delay. One that snowballs:

• Resubmittals take time.
• Client trust erodes.
• Timelines stretch.
• Budgets balloon.

It’s the silent and continuous water drip on a rock impacting project momentum.

How I Stay Ahead (and How You Can Too)

Here are the simple steps I’ve adopted to avoid preventable rejections:

• Subscribe to your city’s permit and code update newsletters. Most major jurisdictions offer them — including Houston.
• Set a recurring calendar reminder (monthly or quarterly) to review the latest ordinances and amendments.
• Create a centralized resource in your firm or team where everyone can view recent changes.
• Document your scope development process to show alignment with the current code version — this helps reviewers and protects you.

Isn’t Just About Compliance — It’s Strategy

Anyone can be reactive. The professionals who rise are the ones who anticipate. Staying current with building codes isn’t about being a rule follower — it’s about being a strategic partner to your clients. It proves you care about their timeline, their budget, and their success.

In Summary:

If you want to save time, money, and energy on your next project, start with the one step most people skip: staying ahead of the latest building code updates. Design smarter — not harder.

Helen Callier

President, Permit Us Now

PS DM me or call 1-844-PERMIT-4. Let’s make sure your project stays on track: https://permitusnow.com/quote