Permit Runners

[IrishEyes]

Are you familiar with permit runners in your town/city?

Contractors are more frequently using permit runners as it appears to be the new(ish), and easier (for them) thing to do. Permit runners can either be an individual or a company hired to take care of all permit processes for the contractor. They can be in charge of multiple towns/cities and will be working in various online systems and for those that still allow it, in person permit submissions.

As a permit technician, I have a love/hate relationship with permit runners. There are some absolute rockstars out there who are great at what they do. Then you have those that just struggle. I was a beginner once too so I have patience and understanding when it comes to learning something brand new. Where I struggle, is when I've sent the same request for changes 2-3 times, then made 2-3 additional phone calls to further explain my very clear and concise communications, and yet they still upload the exact same thing with no changes. Then I will start getting phone calls from owners and contractors wondering why I'm holding up their permit. After a thorough explanation of the process, they seem to understand. But why did it have to get that far? What am I missing? I've now spent way too much time on one permit. When is the back and forth enough?

Or how about when the online system clearly tells you exactly what we require to be uploaded, at the time of submission, and what can be sent later on, or may not pertain to your job and you upload the same thing for every single line item. Why? Why aren't we calling to ask questions and understand the system/town/city we're working in? Again, its not every one of them and I understand what it's like to be a beginner.

Its just becoming more and more common to run into these issues and it can get a little frustrating.

 

[caguy44]

We also run into this issue frequently. Some are great; some are difficult. We have started rejecting incomplete applications (missing documents, information, etc) and telling them to submit a complete application with all required information, or it won't be accepted. They learn quickly when you start making them do it over each time. Since it is specified in the code that applications may be rejected by the BO if not complete, we have started to rely on that, and it has been beneficial.

 

[tmurray]

We saw very few of them. The ones I dealt with were fairly good.

The best experience was one called about 4 days after submitting to go over a few design choices that could have varying code interpretations. It definitely demonstrated their understanding of what might be an issue and that they were focused on getting it resolved fast.

Ditto on incomplete applications. There are two ways to do something; the right way and again.

 

[Sifu]

I once worked with a rockstar permit tech. Initiative and work ethic off the charts. He left to become a permit runner. I can't recall encountering them in that capacity, but I bet he would have been a rockstar permit runner. The rest I have encountered were really not an improvement for us, more of an improvement for the applicants. In many cases, it was worse, because they would be listed as the contact but on any technical questions they just slowed the process down as middle-persons.

 

[mtlogcabin]

I dealt with two of them back in the early 90's in Florida. One worked with mobile home dealers only and was great. The other worked with residential contractors and the M,E,P subs. It was about a one year learning curve for her and the various requirements for the trades. After that she was also great with having the completed documents to get through the permitting process.

Never worked with any since then.

 

[IrishEyes]

The rest I have encountered were really not an improvement for us, more of an improvement for the applicants. In many cases, it was worse, because they would be listed as the contact but on any technical questions they just slowed the process down as middle-persons.

Yes, yes and yes!

 

[IrishEyes]

I dealt with two of them back in the early 90's in Florida. One worked with mobile home dealers only and was great. The other worked with residential contractors and the M,E,P subs. It was about a one year learning curve for her and the various requirements for the trades. After that she was also great with having the completed documents to get through the permitting process.

Never worked with any since then.

I definetely have patience and understanding for the learning curve. Its more the repeat offenders who have been doing this for a long time. They should really know better.

 

[SCBO1]

I dealt with one that did sign permits, after they called and got the skinny, worked like clock work and was in most cases better than some of the sign company's.

I look at this way, if the paperwork is right, I have no issues.

 

[Sifu]

I dealt with one that did sign permits, after they called and got the skinny, worked like clock work and was in most cases better than some of the sign company's.

I look at this way, if the paperwork is right, I have no issues.

SIGNS! *#$! I think you are probably 100% right. I have never met a sign company that could get it right. Permit after permit, the same issues. I think this might be an area that a runner could improve on.....but the bar is pretty low.

 

[Raymond Redington]

Are you familiar with permit runners in your town/city?

Contractors are more frequently using permit runners as it appears to be the new(ish), and easier (for them) thing to do. Permit runners can either be an individual or a company hired to take care of all permit processes for the contractor. They can be in charge of multiple towns/cities and will be working in various online systems and for those that still allow it, in person permit submissions.

As a permit technician, I have a love/hate relationship with permit runners. There are some absolute rockstars out there who are great at what they do. Then you have those that just struggle. I was a beginner once too so I have patience and understanding when it comes to learning something brand new. Where I struggle, is when I've sent the same request for changes 2-3 times, then made 2-3 additional phone calls to further explain my very clear and concise communications, and yet they still upload the exact same thing with no changes. Then I will start getting phone calls from owners and contractors wondering why I'm holding up their permit. After a thorough explanation of the process, they seem to understand. But why did it have to get that far? What am I missing? I've now spent way too much time on one permit. When is the back and forth enough?

Or how about when the online system clearly tells you exactly what we require to be uploaded, at the time of submission, and what can be sent later on, or may not pertain to your job and you upload the same thing for every single line item. Why? Why aren't we calling to ask questions and understand the system/town/city we're working in? Again, its not every one of them and I understand what it's like to be a beginner.

Its just becoming more and more common to run into these issues and it can get a little frustrating.

Ah, IrishEyes, permit me to say that your name alone could light up the darkest of filing cabinets. You know, I've always had a certain fondness for the intricate dance of permits and paperwork. It's a bit like a waltz, wouldn't you say? One, two, three... submit, review, approve.

Permit runners, though... they're like the bad dancers at a ball. Some have two left feet, others simply lack rhythm. I imagine you, the poised and patient permit technician, guiding them with grace, only to find they've stepped on your toes yet again.

Perhaps what we need here is a little more... finesse. Maybe a touch of my unique brand of persuasion could expedite their learning curve? After all, there's only so many times one can trip over the same mistake without becoming rather tiresome.

Keep your chin up, my dear. In the grand scheme of things, every permit is just another step in the waltz. And who knows, maybe one day, those runners will become the Fred Astaires of the permit world. Until then, do let me know if you need a dance partner to lighten the load.

Yours in the labyrinth of bureaucracy,
Redington

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Are you familiar with permit runners in your town/city?

Contractors are more frequently using permit runners as it appears to be the new(ish), and easier (for them) thing to do. Permit runners can either be an individual or a company hired to take care of all permit processes for the contractor. They can be in charge of multiple towns/cities and will be working in various online systems and for those that still allow it, in person permit submissions.

As a permit technician, I have a love/hate relationship with permit runners. There are some absolute rockstars out there who are great at what they do. Then you have those that just struggle. I was a beginner once too so I have patience and understanding when it comes to learning something brand new. Where I struggle, is when I've sent the same request for changes 2-3 times, then made 2-3 additional phone calls to further explain my very clear and concise communications, and yet they still upload the exact same thing with no changes. Then I will start getting phone calls from owners and contractors wondering why I'm holding up their permit. After a thorough explanation of the process, they seem to understand. But why did it have to get that far? What am I missing? I've now spent way too much time on one permit. When is the back and forth enough?

Or how about when the online system clearly tells you exactly what we require to be uploaded, at the time of submission, and what can be sent later on, or may not pertain to your job and you upload the same thing for every single line item. Why? Why aren't we calling to ask questions and understand the system/town/city we're working in? Again, its not every one of them and I understand what it's like to be a beginner.

Its just becoming more and more common to run into these issues and it can get a little frustrating.

Permit runners are anathema to me. They are the answer to a question that nobody asked, and to a problem that either didn't exist or that they can't resolve if it did exist. They are just another layer of paper shufflers who add nothing to the project and get paid a fee for doing nothing but passing paper (or bits and bytes) back and forth.

When I was first starting out as an architect, these same comments applied to construction managers, and I still feel the same about them. In the early days of construction managers, virtually all of them were former general contractors who went bankrupt as general contractors, so they decided to sell their "expertise" to building owners as the way to keep costs under control.

We deal with permit runners on a regular basis. As IrishEyes already commented, "Where I struggle, is when I've sent the same request for changes 2-3 times, then made 2-3 additional phone calls to further explain my very clear and concise communications, and yet they still upload the exact same thing with no changes. Then I will start getting phone calls from owners and contractors wondering why I'm holding up their permit."

In my not-so-humble opinion, permit runners are useless deadwood.

 

[IrishEyes]

Permit runners are anathema to me. They are the answer to a question that nobody asked, and to a problem that either didn't exist or that they can't resolve if it did exist. They are just another layer of paper shufflers who add nothing to the project and get paid a fee for doing nothing but passing paper (or bits and bytes) back and forth.

When I was first starting out as an architect, these same comments applied to construction managers, and I still feel the same about them. In the early days of construction managers, virtually all of them were former general contractors who went bankrupt as general contractors, so they decided to sell their "expertise" to building owners as the way to keep costs under control.

We deal with permit runners on a regular basis. As IrishEyes already commented, "Where I struggle, is when I've sent the same request for changes 2-3 times, then made 2-3 additional phone calls to further explain my very clear and concise communications, and yet they still upload the exact same thing with no changes. Then I will start getting phone calls from owners and contractors wondering why I'm holding up their permit."

In my not-so-humble opinion, permit runners are useless deadwood.

This was extremely insightful. Thank you for sharing.