There is always constant change in this industry that makes it fun to work in. Challenges with labor, juggling ways to incorporate new technology and how to push through a permit with umpteen revisions. One concern we hear about often from Project Owners is that their contractor did not pull a permit before starting construction or at all. And, last month the Permit Us Now team received several calls indicating that a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) was never obtained on projects finish a long while ago along with how to expand a facility without a CO.
Contractors often manage multiple jobs and may miss an item on punch lists, but pulling the building permit should not be one of those tasks missed. Failing to pull a permit from the appropriate jurisdiction will eventually catch up with the contractor at some point in time with a great chance of tarnishing the company’s reputation.
Below are five tips to consider if pulling a permit or CO was missed on your construction project.
- Advise Project Owner immediately of mistake and lay out plan to correct issue: Doing so shows your ethics and professionalism in the business
- Visit permitting jurisdiction’s website: Research Frequently Asked Questions, obtain department telephone numbers of staff you can speak with to help resolve and pull any necessary applications needed
- Contact permitting jurisdiction to ask questions by phone or in person: Permitting staff members are understanding people with primary focus on building safety, so most will be willing to meet to review what needs to be done.
- Call for City Inspection to obtain CO: Depending on the length of time elapsed after completing construction and if a permit was originally pulled, contact jurisdiction inspection to properly close out job and to obtain a CO.
- Review Your Punch List and Preconstruction Checklists: Make sure building permits, CO’s and other needed zoning documents are clearly noted, confirmed and checked off before starting and closing out a construction project.
In Conclusion
Building safe housing, restaurants, retail stores, hotels and other structures and infrastructure is top priority in the construction industry. And alerting Project Owners, visiting jurisdictions’ website and asking for help from knowledgeable jurisdiction resources and permitting experts will assist in righting your ship if missed pulling a permit or CO. If you have any questions, please connect 1.844.PERMIT.4. Build Safe.
