Never Allow Your Builder to Expedite Your Permit
In the intricate world of building and remodeling, the process of expediting permits is often misunderstood. As a General Contractor (GC) with a decade of experience and over 200 ADU projects in Los Angeles County under my belt, I've seen firsthand why allowing your builder to handle permit expediting can be a risky move.
Organizational Challenges
General Contractors, while skilled in construction, are not necessarily the most organized when it comes to paperwork. To say the least. Expediting permits requires a high level of office organization and the ability to swiftly make changes to documents. In my experience, this is not a strong suit for most GCs. I’ve seen permits delayed months for simple mistakes.
Conflicting Schedule and No Time
While a GC might possess the required building knowledge, their availability to focus on permit-related tasks is often limited. They typically can only spare one day a week to visit Building and Safety departments or respond to their emails. This is because GCs need to be on the job site during early morning hours – the prime time for liaising with Building and Safety. As a result, your permit might only get attention once or twice a week, leading to significant delays.
Moreover, a good expeditor looks at each project in queue at least once a day, or more. Your mornings are spent at the city, your afternoons in the office returning emails and making calls. Sometimes the call you make to the city is all it takes to break a project loose. But you need to know when to call. GC’s just don’t have that time available. Until they are being screamed at by the client, then they finally make that call.
3. The Need for Patience and Respect
The role of an expeditor demands patience and a respectful understanding of the plan checker's time. This can be challenging for GCs who are juggling numerous other responsibilities. Their primary focus is on the physical aspect of construction, not the nuances of permit processing. Expediters have to play the game and be available for the plan checker on the plan checker’s schedule.
Our Journey to Specialization
After encountering various issues with handling permits, my dad and I made a strategic decision. We chose to specialize in one area – permit expediting. By stepping away from the building aspect, we can dedicate our full attention and expertise to the permit process. At SPS, we leverage our experience as builders, but our focus is solely on obtaining permits.
Conclusion: Choose Specialization for Efficiency
In conclusion, while your builder might be excellent at construction, permit expediting is a different ball game. It requires a different set of skills, dedication, and time commitment. If you're embarking on a building project, especially something as complex as an ADU in Los Angeles County, consider hiring a specialized permit expediter. This approach will likely save you time, reduce stress, and ensure that your project stays on track. Remember, efficiency in obtaining permits is crucial for a smooth construction process, and specialization is key to achieving this.
