RJJ
Co-Founder
What is the feeling across the country for projects and permits for the year a head? The heart beat of the construction industry is at everyone's permit counter. Hows is it go in your area? And what 2010 look like from your town.
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What is up for permits in 2010
- Thread starter RJJ
- Start date
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
To help stimulate the economy and encourage new building and remodeling; it is important to make the permit process as easy as possible:
1. Attend all NAHB meetings and social functions (the city should provide the Bar).
2. Suspend all requirements for plan submission and plan review (for one year); except for major commercial (rubber stamp).
3. All Engineered (signed & sealed) plans will not be required to be reviewed or inspected (accept Engineer's Letter of Compliance for CO).
4. Restrict all inspections to the ICC code required inspections, only.
5. All inspection reports and violations to be written in English and Spanglish.
That's just for starters,
Uncle Bob
To help stimulate the economy and encourage new building and remodeling; it is important to make the permit process as easy as possible:
1. Attend all NAHB meetings and social functions (the city should provide the Bar).
2. Suspend all requirements for plan submission and plan review (for one year); except for major commercial (rubber stamp).
3. All Engineered (signed & sealed) plans will not be required to be reviewed or inspected (accept Engineer's Letter of Compliance for CO).
4. Restrict all inspections to the ICC code required inspections, only.
5. All inspection reports and violations to be written in English and Spanglish.
That's just for starters,
Uncle Bob
JBI
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
No big surge in applications, if that's what you're asking.
My feeling is that it will be a good year - better than last year, but not quite to pre-crash levles yet.
No big surge in applications, if that's what you're asking.
My feeling is that it will be a good year - better than last year, but not quite to pre-crash levles yet.
FyrBldgGuy
Silver Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 356
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
One of the clients I work for is an Electrical Utility in a major CA metro area. Plan review includes new substations and transformer vaults. The projections for the next year are almost nill. That indicates that no new subdivisions are planned. There are a few infill areas where buildings are getting upgraded utility services.
In canvasing the local building and fire departments there are limited areas where tenant finishes are picking up, but no new large projects even at the discussion stage. Any projects of significant size are being developed by local government agencies. Because it is CA even the State has limited construction activities. Most stimulus funds seem to have dried up and road construction projects have subsided.
Sales of homes has picked up do to the significant drop in home valuations. New home building is limited, but a few developers are starting to submit for single family homes. Just a guess, but they must be paying much lower wages now. A couple of the construction companies we work with have laid off workers due to the limitation on projects.
This morning a local Sams Club that opened in 2007 announced that it was closing due to the lack of business. This Sams Club was in an area of projected growth (border area) and could not sustain sales.
The economic forcast looks like home sales will start to pick up as small businesses start to regrow. Small businesses will only start to regrow when wages come down and they get some breaks on loans and taxes.
The question of building permit fees and inspections is just a rube in the overall equation. But rubed too hard it will become a problem quicker than in the past.
One of the local cities has been in the news frequently due to rubber stamping permits, and now even the Feds are involved. It was all done to expedite plan review and inspection.
One of the clients I work for is an Electrical Utility in a major CA metro area. Plan review includes new substations and transformer vaults. The projections for the next year are almost nill. That indicates that no new subdivisions are planned. There are a few infill areas where buildings are getting upgraded utility services.
In canvasing the local building and fire departments there are limited areas where tenant finishes are picking up, but no new large projects even at the discussion stage. Any projects of significant size are being developed by local government agencies. Because it is CA even the State has limited construction activities. Most stimulus funds seem to have dried up and road construction projects have subsided.
Sales of homes has picked up do to the significant drop in home valuations. New home building is limited, but a few developers are starting to submit for single family homes. Just a guess, but they must be paying much lower wages now. A couple of the construction companies we work with have laid off workers due to the limitation on projects.
This morning a local Sams Club that opened in 2007 announced that it was closing due to the lack of business. This Sams Club was in an area of projected growth (border area) and could not sustain sales.
The economic forcast looks like home sales will start to pick up as small businesses start to regrow. Small businesses will only start to regrow when wages come down and they get some breaks on loans and taxes.
The question of building permit fees and inspections is just a rube in the overall equation. But rubed too hard it will become a problem quicker than in the past.
One of the local cities has been in the news frequently due to rubber stamping permits, and now even the Feds are involved. It was all done to expedite plan review and inspection.
jpranch
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
We have had a good 5 year run but the crapy economy is catching up with us now. We went from an unemployment rate of 1% to 6% in less than 12 months. That is better than the national average but still a big jump. The vacancy rate went from <1% to 6.3 percent in the same time period. We are still doing well but 2010 I believe will see a lot less building activity.
Now if we wanted to completly kill building we could adopt icc-700! :x
We have had a good 5 year run but the crapy economy is catching up with us now. We went from an unemployment rate of 1% to 6% in less than 12 months. That is better than the national average but still a big jump. The vacancy rate went from <1% to 6.3 percent in the same time period. We are still doing well but 2010 I believe will see a lot less building activity.
Now if we wanted to completly kill building we could adopt icc-700! :x
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Like molasses in winter here.
Local phone utility sold a bldg to a bank that is branching out, so banks and phone co. look to be doing fine.
Meanwhile anchor county of our MSA saw a 49% increase in unemployment claims last year, poverty rate there at approx 38%.
Like molasses in winter here.
Local phone utility sold a bldg to a bank that is branching out, so banks and phone co. look to be doing fine.
Meanwhile anchor county of our MSA saw a 49% increase in unemployment claims last year, poverty rate there at approx 38%.
Alias
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Flat as a pancake so far. We usually slow down here due to weather, so, this isn't surprising. Only difference is that it is flatter than I have ever seen it.
I have been getting a couple of inquiries about commercial buildings, all are government connected. Local coalition is trying to make sure that we get the new hospital we need. Our current hospital doesn't meet earthquake standards and needs to be replaced or retrofitted by 2014 or CA will shut it down.
Unemployment is hovering between 12-13%, which is pretty normal as we are heavily ag. Local contractors are scrambling for jobs and some that were 'picky' are now taking anything they can get.
Sue, lost on the frontier.........
Flat as a pancake so far. We usually slow down here due to weather, so, this isn't surprising. Only difference is that it is flatter than I have ever seen it.
I have been getting a couple of inquiries about commercial buildings, all are government connected. Local coalition is trying to make sure that we get the new hospital we need. Our current hospital doesn't meet earthquake standards and needs to be replaced or retrofitted by 2014 or CA will shut it down.
Unemployment is hovering between 12-13%, which is pretty normal as we are heavily ag. Local contractors are scrambling for jobs and some that were 'picky' are now taking anything they can get.
Sue, lost on the frontier.........
FM William Burns
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Unemployment at 15% and yes we are the highest in the US, need I say more :shock:
I believe unemployment is only based on those who collect it and does not account for those who don't or who just live off the wasteful spending of others
I did just get done doing a review for a foam suppression system that I've been waiting for for 18 months
Unemployment at 15% and yes we are the highest in the US, need I say more :shock:
I believe unemployment is only based on those who collect it and does not account for those who don't or who just live off the wasteful spending of others
I did just get done doing a review for a foam suppression system that I've been waiting for for 18 months
packsaddle
Silver Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2009
- Messages
- 237
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
The only people spending money right now is the federal government.
Therefore, there will be very limited construction activity (vertical) until after the 2010 elections.
The only people spending money right now is the federal government.
Therefore, there will be very limited construction activity (vertical) until after the 2010 elections.
FM William Burns
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
RJJ
Co-Founder
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Interesting comments! keep them coming and FM I know your area is hard hit. JP that is a major turn around since last year when I raise the same question. It has become flat here with very little in the pipe line for new, but quite a bit or re do!
Interesting comments! keep them coming and FM I know your area is hard hit. JP that is a major turn around since last year when I raise the same question. It has become flat here with very little in the pipe line for new, but quite a bit or re do!
jpranch
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
My son-in-law has not worked since before Thanksgiving. He is a pipeline welder. The bunny huggers have everything shut down. Brace yourselfs for a natural gas increase!
My son-in-law has not worked since before Thanksgiving. He is a pipeline welder. The bunny huggers have everything shut down. Brace yourselfs for a natural gas increase!
mtlogcabin
SAWHORSE
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
We like to send our bunny huggers out to hug a grizzly. After all they are warm and fuzzy too
Things about the same here. Giving the BD fire prevention inspections to keep us busy and employed.
We like to send our bunny huggers out to hug a grizzly. After all they are warm and fuzzy too
Things about the same here. Giving the BD fire prevention inspections to keep us busy and employed.
Daddy-0-
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Not setting any records here but work is steady and no layoffs yet. I take that as a good sign.
Not setting any records here but work is steady and no layoffs yet. I take that as a good sign.
RJJ
Co-Founder
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
How about projects shovel ready or in planning? This is the long range view of what will happen in the next year. If the pipe line is empty out across the country the downturn is going to last a lot longer then Washington and Wall street predict. For the construction industry we all sit where the rubber meets the road.
How about projects shovel ready or in planning? This is the long range view of what will happen in the next year. If the pipe line is empty out across the country the downturn is going to last a lot longer then Washington and Wall street predict. For the construction industry we all sit where the rubber meets the road.
FM William Burns
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
None here and
I respectfully defer to my esteemed colleague’s (packsaddle's) previous comment :cry:
None here and
I respectfully defer to my esteemed colleague’s (packsaddle's) previous comment :cry:
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
2010 will be the same as 2009 which was the same as 2008 which was 30% less than 2007 which was 35% less than 2006. No contractors shutting down but they are having to scramble to find work.
One of the biggest problems is energy(oil) costs. To many consumer discretionary spending dollars being stolen at the gas pumps.
2010 will be the same as 2009 which was the same as 2008 which was 30% less than 2007 which was 35% less than 2006. No contractors shutting down but they are having to scramble to find work.
One of the biggest problems is energy(oil) costs. To many consumer discretionary spending dollars being stolen at the gas pumps.
pwood
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
min&max,
i have to agree with you whole heartedly. the economy started heading south when gas hit 5 dollars a gallon in some places. it left no extra money for consumers to spend anywhere else. things snowballed from there. i blame W for the situation we are in. :mrgreen: toss in a war and a search for wmd's and a few billion for good measure, some bank and institutional bailouts and viola! we're screwed. the banks are once again able to handout big bonuses and all is well on wall street. contractors ,developers,small businesses, and home-owners can't borrow so much as quarter from these beaurocrats to get a cup of coffee. my permits are way down and likely to stay down until the suits cut loose with some change.
min&max,
i have to agree with you whole heartedly. the economy started heading south when gas hit 5 dollars a gallon in some places. it left no extra money for consumers to spend anywhere else. things snowballed from there. i blame W for the situation we are in. :mrgreen: toss in a war and a search for wmd's and a few billion for good measure, some bank and institutional bailouts and viola! we're screwed. the banks are once again able to handout big bonuses and all is well on wall street. contractors ,developers,small businesses, and home-owners can't borrow so much as quarter from these beaurocrats to get a cup of coffee. my permits are way down and likely to stay down until the suits cut loose with some change.
FM William Burns
REGISTERED
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Transparency as promised :lol: :lol: :lol:
Transparency as promised :lol: :lol: :lol:
RJJ
Co-Founder
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Trans what?
Trans what?
packsaddle
Silver Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2009
- Messages
- 237
Re: What is up for permits in 2010
Numbers don't lie.
Unemployment in the private sector is currently at 10 percent.
More specifically, unemployment in the construction sector is currently at 22 percent.
Unemployment in the government sector is currently at 3.6 percent.
Since the private sector actually produces something and the government sector does not produce anything, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the economic forecast.
Numbers don't lie.
Unemployment in the private sector is currently at 10 percent.
More specifically, unemployment in the construction sector is currently at 22 percent.
Unemployment in the government sector is currently at 3.6 percent.
Since the private sector actually produces something and the government sector does not produce anything, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the economic forecast.