Traditional permit expediters have a focus on pulling permits which is nice. At PermitUsNow, the most important focus we have is delivering our clients’ ultimate result.

Our long-time experience in permitting benefits our clients and their customers. Since 2016, we have had the privilege of working with many types of contractors, architects and project owners from almost every industry like aviation, transit, healthcare, education, grocery and hospitality and events. We have used these experiences as opportunities to improve our systems which allow us to deliver smarter, quicker and with a lower cost for our clients.

We believe in starting with the end in mind asking our clients when the open date for their new school or hospital or roadway or central utilities plant or restaurant project is so we can develop a schedule and an approach for permitting that helps our clients to build their customers dreams.

Starting with the end in mind becomes our WHY we do what we do with permitting such as using our uniquely designed systems, leveraging relationships at jurisdictions, being creative in developing approaches to permitting and serving as an integral part of clients’ team. Keeping focus on the big picture helps undergird the importance of hitting key permit milestone dates. These dates include predevelopment meeting dates with the jurisdiction, permit application and submittal date, aiding the architect, client or project owner in responding to comments, pulling the building permit(s) and Certificate of Occupancy.

Helen, this is great to hear, but how does knowing this help me to pull a building permit now?

I get it! Permitting can be and is frustrating for many that prefer to focus on what they love to do and that is designing, project managing or building their clients’ projects. Permitting is a pill that most do not want to swallow and pinch their noses to take the bitter medicine. For PermitUsNow, we love permitting and tackling tough projects, reading through ordinances, weaving through building codes, interacting with plan City permitting staff and we drive towards the big picture – the end result.

So here are 7 tips permitting tips that every contractor should have in their pre-con toolkit:

1. Start early: This is where the game is won. Starting early allows you to plan, identify risks and establish necessary permitting plans. Also allows you to assess site conditions, review options for project phasing, identify long lead items, and schedule pre-development meetings with AHJ as needed.
2. QA/QC: Review all plans, surveys, asbestos reports and other key documents associated with your project prior to submitting. This is vital as one missing document or a project narrative that is unclear or missing building codes referenced will cause a rejection at the jurisdiction and incur delays in permitting.
3. Respond fully to Comments: This should be self-explanatory, but we’ve found that this is one of the highest complaints from jurisdiction plan reviewers is that a city comment was missed or ignored and was lightly addressed. Be mindful as this will cause a delay in permitting.
4. Resubmit Plans: In a timely manner
5. Buy Permit: Online or in person depending on the jurisdiction policies.
6. Call for Inspections: Call for progressive and final inspections and be on site with City Inspectors.
7. Close-out!: This is a time for celebration when giving client the CO or Certificate of Compliance.

In Summary

Our focus is on the end in mind to help us to deliver on time, every time, as promised. We use the tips above and have offered them to you to assist in your preconstruction phase. If you are having a challenge pulling permits or simply fed up with the jurisdictions’ bureaucracy, call PermitUsNow at 1.844.PERMIT.4. We are committed to pulling permits for our Developer, Architect, Contractor, and Project Owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process. Simply email us your plans today and we will free you up to focus on doing what you love – building your customers’ dreams.

#BuildSafe