A permit runner is typically a skilled professional who can assist licensed contractors with preparing, submitting, & tracking building permit applications.
Permit runners can work alongside many licensed construction professionals, including general contractors, architects, electricians, roofers, plumbers, and a/c mechanics.
They can choose to work independently as permit expediters or hold an administrative job position at a construction company.
What does a permit expediter do?
Permit runners & Permit expediters can sometimes share the same job title, and that’s perfectly OK.
A building permit expediter can be considered someone very experienced and knowledgeable about building permit processes in a specific geographic area.
They often know what to do to efficiently help prepare & submit the permit application to the building department.
Permit runners & permit expediters must also have great project management skills & be able to assist with many different types of building permits simultaneously.
They should also be experienced in minimizing common bottlenecks which can delay the plan review process of a building permit by several weeks or even months.
Do I need one?
Applying for a building permit and submitting it to the proper city departments can sometimes be time-consuming and quite challenging depending on the municipality.
For licensed general contractors and skilled tradespeople on a tight project timeline, solely handling the administrative task of applying for building permits can be very costly in terms of opportunity cost.
Hiring a knowledgeable and skilled permit expediter to help with the process can prove invaluable to a licensed contractor who’s busy working on multiple projects or need more time to prospect new construction jobs.
How much do permit runners charge?
Since many permit runners/expediters work independently, the permit runner fees for their services may vary widely.
These professionals typically charge for the time and expertise needed to manage and expedite complex building permit projects.
As a prospective client of these administrative services, one must be very clear about what exactly it is that they need assistance with, either as a homeowner, contractor, or property management company looking for their permit runner services.
Some of the most essential qualities to look for in a permit expediter is the ability to streamline the process of simultaneously applying for several different types of complex building permits and effectively tracking each throughout the plan review process. Each municipality may have their own unique process for the same types of permit applications.
All in all, one of the most critical questions to ask a potential permit runner/expediter is what set of skills and experiences do they have to assist with the permitting needs of your specific construction project.
