A permit runner is typically a skilled professional who assists in preparing, submitting, tracking & delivering approved building permit applications.
Permit runners can work alongside many 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 prepare & submit the permit application quickly.
Permit runners & permit expediters must also be skilled in managing many construction projects simultaneously.
They should also be experienced in minimizing common bottlenecks that can delay the approval of a building permit by several weeks or even months.
Many permit runners can also work as permit expediters and vice versa.
Do I need one?
Applying for a building permit and submitting it to the proper city departments can sometimes be stressful and time-consuming.
For licensed general contractors and skilled tradespeople on a tight project timeline, handling the administrative task of applying for building permits can be very costly in terms of opportunity cost.
Hiring a knowledgeable and skilled permit runner or expediter can prove invaluable to a contractor who’s busy working on multiple projects or needs more time to prospect new construction jobs.
How much do permit runners charge?
Since many permit runners/expediters work as independent consultants, 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 consultants, one must be very clear about what exactly it is that they need as a homeowner, contractor, or property management company looking for their permit runner services.
All in all, the most critical question to ask a potential permit runner/expediter is what set of skills and experiences they have to help meet the needs of your specific construction project.
Some of the most essential qualities to look for in a permit expediter is the ability to streamline the process of simultaneously obtaining several building permits and effectively managing multiple concurrent projects.