If you’ve been in the design and construction business for any length of time, you already know: the only thing constant is change.

Lately, the PermitUsNow team has been fielding a surge of calls from general contractors and project owners facing new market pressures — specifically around tariffs. The headlines are scary. Tariffs on imported equipment and materials are having a ripple effect across the construction industry. And it’s not just big contractors and project owners feeling it — small- and mid-sized contractors are shaking in their boots the hardest.

The result? More uncertainty. Delayed shipments. Rising material costs. And tighter budgets. But in all this disruption, one thing has become very clear:

Your permitting strategy is no longer a back-office formality — it’s now a vital part of your survival plan.

The Calls We’re Getting

At PermitUsNow, we’ve pulled well over ten thousand permits for projects across Texas — from healthcare and retail to infrastructure and mixed-use. And lately, the questions we’re getting have changed.

Instead of just “how fast can we get this permit approved,” we’re hearing:

• “Can I phase this project to spread out the scope?”
• “What’s the last day I can start work before the permit expires?”
• “Can we defer certain scopes to avoid delays in imported material or long lead items?”
• “Can we swap out materials and still stay compliant with the city?
• “How much can I do under a demo permit while I wait for equipment to clear customs?”

These are smart questions. Contractors are doing what they must to stay on schedule and protect slim profit margins. As I’ve mentioned in one of my recent LinkedIn videos, many are now playing what I call ‘the paper game.’

And when played correctly — with awareness of local permitting rules and compliance boundaries — that game can help contractors maintain momentum and avoid costly impact to their construction projects.

The Paper Game, Played Smart

So, what exactly is this “paper game”? It’s not cutting corners. It’s about being strategic with your permit use:

• Phased permits: Breaking a project into smaller or similar scopes such as civil site or core and shell so work can begin while long-lead items are delayed.
• Deferred submittals: Pushing less critical elements to a later date without disrupting your main permit path. Key is to know which items the jurisdiction allows to be deferred.
• Demo permits: Starting selective teardown or site prep while awaiting full construction approval.
• Material substitutions: Identifying approved alternates that won’t trigger plan resubmissions or inspection failures.

When done with insight and proper coordination, these strategies can be the difference between a project that survives a volatile market — and one that stalls out due to permitting missteps.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Tripping Over Your Shoestrings

Here’s the bottom line: too many contractors wait until the pressure is on before calling us.

But if you’re building in today’s climate — especially with imported materials, long lead items, or sensitive schedules — it’s critical to engage your permitting team early.

Whether you’re planning a hospital expansion, a new grocery store, or a warehouse conversion, having a team like PermitUsNow in your corner helps you stay proactive, not reactive.

We speak the City’s language. We understand building codes. And we know where flexibility exists — and where it doesn’t.

Final Thoughts

Change in the market is inevitable. Tariffs may rise and fall, but the way you prepare your construction projects doesn’t have to follow the same rollercoaster. With the right permitting strategy, you can weather the storm and even come out ahead.

If your project is facing material delays, cost pressure, or you’re simply unsure how much room you have to pivot — reach out at 1.844.PERMIT.4. We’ll help you pull permits smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises.

Let’s get your project ready to build — no matter what the market throws at it.

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Helen Callier is the Founder of PermitUsNow, a leading building permitting firm serving architects, contractors, and project owners across Texas. Connect with her on LinkedIn or visit www.permitusnow.com to learn more.