Every construction project demands a multitude of assets. Capital funding. Raw materials. Manpower. Space.
One resource stands before all others, though – time.
Nothing grinds projects to a halt faster than waiting idly for paperwork filings, commission approval, or court orders to make their way through bureaucracy.
And nothing moves forward while contractors wait in line for approval from local regulators and zoning boards
But there is a simple solution.
Permit expeditors compile data, handle paperwork, file permits, monitor each stage of the permit approval process and, ultimately, work toward a prompt outcome. Sometimes also referred to as building and zoning permit expeditors, they take the lead in meeting with city officials and project consultants throughout the process and typically travel to development sites in order to keep the ball rolling.
By securing permits in a timely manner and working behind-the-scenes at City Hall, they allow contractors to remain focused on the job at hand. They specialize in understanding local building codes and know how to advise their clients on how to get their projects through to approval in the quickest possible manner.
“The greatest project doesn’t progress past planning without the proper paperwork and approval,” said Steve Todd, founder and CEO of Express Permits. “It’s a building permit expeditor’s job to keep a plan on schedule and keep business moving.”
Permit expediters are experienced professionals adept at the rules and regulations that run City Hall. Along with filing the right paperwork, they follow the process through to the end, ensuring that their clients are meeting all necessary steps. They have the knowledge to meet with city officials and discuss blueprint revisions with plan examiners.
Permit expediters also have extensive planning experience and are paid to represent their clients at zoning commissions, architectural reviews, and variance hearings.
“Planning departments can be a maze of laws, bylaws, procedures and steps for any contractor, architect, or engineer,” Todd said. “It can almost feel like a conspiracy to keep you stuck in a loop as you wind your way through the process. It’s confusing.
“Time is money, and that’s why it’s often more efficient to spend a minimum amount of money at the beginning to hire a permit expediter and save the hassle – and possibly months – on the back end. A good permit expediter will tell you up front, ‘This project will take 60 days,’ and will get the job done in that time frame. Anyone who claims to be able to rush you through the process by cutting corners is selling you a bridge in Brooklyn.”
That’s why it’s important to pick the right one. Many people who call themselves “expediters” are simply filers, who for an hourly rate will file plans and walk away waiting for the process to run its course. Good expediters help their clients research and prepare their cases.
That way a two-hour wait in line or a zoning board hearing doesn’t quickly become a week or month lost because the right paperwork isn’t presented.
“A comprehensive permit consultant provides significant value in the digital age by filling out all required paperwork, providing a full review, analyzing all municipal codes and zoning amendments to prevent delays and managing the new electronic submission process,” Todd said.
“It’s our job to make your job easy.”
What to Look for in a Permit Expeditor
Here are seven things every good permit expeditor should be able to do for your company. If they can’t, find someone else.
- Make inquiries to government agencies and determine what is required for a project.
- Submit necessary documents to agencies for review.
- Regularly perform status checks until plans are approved or corrections are specified.
- Make corrections if needed and submit them to the client or architect for approval, then resubmit to each appropriate agency.
- Perform follow-ups as needed until plans are approved and provide client with status reports.
- Gather all paperwork for the final sign-off, which is the end of the approval process.
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