Whenever we perform substantial amounts of electrical work, we can safely assume we will need a permit. Big jobs like building a house, store, or skyscraper obviously require planning, blueprints, engineers, architects, soil testing, and a plethora of other professional needs. But what about home service work? If you ask your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), you’ll find some service work requires permits while others do not. As a homeowner, having permits on big as well as small projects provides peace of mind. There is a security that comes from knowing the work performed at your house has backing. Pulling a permit as a tradesman should be considered a privilege, not a chore. Not everyone can pull a permit, and unlicensed work can be risky business for the client as well as for the worker. I have spent the last 20 years pulling permits nearly every week. Here are some things I’ve learned through the process. Maybe these tips can be helpful when handling permits.
1. Make a commitment to always pull permits when you are required to do so. Having these records are good for your business and your client in the case of a dispute or investigation.
2. Designate one person or one team to be accountable for pulling permits, record-keeping, scheduling inspections, and building relationships with local jurisdictions.
3. Create contact files for each permit office and jurisdiction. This will come in handy when you’re trying to reach the right inspector to go into further details about the job you are completing. You may have questions for that inspector and vice versa. Make note of any special requirements set forth by that jurisdiction in their contact file. This will ensure that you are compliant with the requirements set forth by that office. Additionally, this will help you remember what each jurisdiction requires.
4. Become familiar with online permitting, and use this process as much as possible. This will save you both time and gas. Pulling a permit can be expensive without adding the cost of traveling around the city to different jurisdictions.
5. As with anything, create a budget for permits, and measure it yearly to make sure you are staying within that budget. This should be looked at as an investment into your business as well as a direct job cost.
Pulling permits may seem like something you “have to do.” Instead of sinking into this mindset, view it as an opportunity to show your community that you do things the right way. Permits can help put to rest any hesitation a client may have toward your company or cover your bases in case of liability. A permit for a big job says you’re licensed, but a permit for a small job says you are a conscientious company. Some contractors try to fly under the radar when it comes to service work. I urge you not to be that person.
Talbot is a licensed, master electrician in Georgia, where he was born and raised. He has been in the industry for 18 years and is currently the operations manager for Mister Sparky Atlanta, where he manages a team of technicians. In his spare time, he plays with his kids, volunteers, and enjoys flipping houses. He can be reached at [email protected].
