In the U.S., it takes an average of 68 days to get construction permits approved, and that number is expected to hold steady through at least 2028. For many projects, that’s a long time to wait, especially when deadlines, budgets, and schedules are already tight.
Getting permits shouldn’t be the thing that slows your entire project down. But with different departments and lots of back-and-forth, it often does.
That’s why many teams turn to building permit expediting services. Whether you’re working on new construction or a remodel, permit expediters take on the administrative side of permitting so your team can focus on the build.
In this article, you’ll learn what a permit expediter does, how they keep projects on track, and when it makes sense to bring one in!
What is a Building Permit Expediter?
Simply put, a building permit expediter helps move your construction project through the permitting process faster and with less stress. They can do this because they usually:
- Know the ins and outs of local requirements
- Understand building codes
- Often have relationships with city staff
All this makes it easier to get things approved without unnecessary delays.
In contrast, getting building permits on your own can be slow and frustrating. It’s easy to miss small details in the paperwork or run into confusing code rules. Even something as simple as using the wrong version of a form can hold up your entire project.
A permit expediter stays ahead of these issues. They check your plans for compliance, fill out the paperwork correctly, and follow up with the building department to keep everything in motion. That means fewer surprises and a smoother start to your project.
What Does a Permit Expediter Do?
As mentioned, a permit expediter handles the behind-the-scenes work that goes into getting construction permits approved. Instead of navigating the red tape yourself, you can rely on their local expertise to manage the entire process.
The main selling points of permit expediter services are speed and accuracy. They know what each city requires, how to avoid common mistakes, and who to contact if something stalls. When done right, you will get to keep your approval process on track and avoid expensive delays.
Here’s what’s typically included in permit services:
- Plan checks to make sure your drawings meet city or county codes before submission
- Form preparation and filing to complete all the necessary paperwork for permit acquisition
- Coordination with your team if corrections are needed from your architect, engineer, or contractor
- Daily or weekly follow-ups with building departments to move things along
- Support during revisions in case the city asks for updates or changes
- Meeting attendance for zoning reviews or pre-construction consultations when needed
With strong local expertise, a permit expediter makes sure your project doesn’t get stuck waiting in line. They know how to push things forward, which makes their permit expediter services a smart choice for fast permit approvals.
5 Signs You Need Building Permit Expediting Services
Thinking about handling permits without help? That might work for something small, but once the project gets bigger or the rules get trickier, it’s easy for things to get out of hand.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to call in a pro, here are a few signs that hiring building permit expediting services might be the right move.
1. You’re on a Tight Construction Timeline
When your project has strict deadlines, there’s not much room for delay. Waiting weeks or even months for the city to approve your plans can throw off your whole schedule. Luckily, a permit runner can step in to maintain your project’s momentum.
Let’s say a commercial client is renovating a retail space and needs to open before the holiday rush. Submitting paperwork without help can be time-consuming, especially if corrections are needed. Every day lost in the permit line pushes back inspections, deliveries, and opening day.
Building permit services help speed things up by catching issues early, submitting accurate documents, and following up regularly with the city.
Keep in mind that if time is tight and your schedule matters, trying to get necessary permits on your own might cost more in delays than you’d expect. Many clients find that investing in permit help upfront keeps their project on schedule and avoids the stress of last-minute scrambling.
2. Your Project Involves Multiple Permits or Complex Requirements
Some projects aren’t as simple as submitting one form and waiting for approval. If you’re dealing with new construction, historic properties, complicated building codes, or zoning restrictions, the building permit process can get complicated quite easily.
A situation like this calls for expert permit expediting services. They understand how the different parts of your project connect and what each department needs to see.
Plus, their support goes beyond paperwork. They also help with due diligence, catch issues early, and know how to avoid back-and-forth with the city.
For example, here’s how local experts can make a difference when things get complex:
- Identify which departments need to review your plans
- Catch conflicts between architectural, electrical, and structural drawings
- Flag zoning or land use concerns before submission
- Manage multiple applications and deadlines
- Stay in touch with plan checkers and inspectors
If your project has a lot of moving parts, it’s easy for things to get stuck. A construction permit expediter helps make sure the pieces come together, so the review process doesn’t stall.
3. You’re Unfamiliar with the Local Approval Process
Every city, county, and state has its own way of handling building permits, which means what works in one place might not fly somewhere else. If you’re working in an area you haven’t dealt with before, trying to figure out the process by yourself can lead to delays and missed steps.
Take California, for example. Some cities require plan checks from multiple departments like building, planning, fire, public works, each with its own rules and permit review timeline. Others might ask for neighborhood notifications or public hearings before issuing approvals.
If you’re not familiar with these local rules, your application could sit untouched or be sent back for corrections you didn’t see coming.
On the flip side, a permit expediter who already knows the local system can help you avoid that. They understand the timing, the paperwork, and the common issues that hold up approvals. When you’re under pressure to get started, that kind of knowledge can be a huge advantage.
4. Your Past Permit Applications Were Delayed or Rejected
Commercial projects often run into problems when applications are incomplete, unclear, or not aligned with what city officials expect. Working with experienced permit expediters can help prevent these slowdowns by catching issues before submission.
Common reasons permits get rejected or delayed include:
- Missing documents: Key forms, signatures, or reports are left out.
- Errors in construction drawings: Plans don’t align with code or contain outdated info.
- Zoning conflicts: The proposed use doesn’t meet local zoning requirements.
- No response to comments: City feedback goes unanswered or unaddressed.
- Incomplete demolition permits: Missing details hold up the entire review.
- Wrong department: Submitted to the wrong office or in the wrong order.
- Overlooking local regulations: City-specific rules aren’t followed correctly.
These kinds of problems cause costly delays that ripple through your schedule. To avoid repeating the same mistakes, it helps to bring in an experienced permit expediter; someone who can spot trouble early and keep your project in line with what the jurisdiction expects.
5. You Want Someone With Local Expertise to Handle the Paperwork and Follow-Ups
Permit paperwork can be a major bottleneck in your project. You already know that it’s not just forms. You’re also dealing with rules, deadlines, and different departments that don’t always communicate with each other.
That’s why having someone local who already knows how things work can save you a lot of time and back-and-forth.
Say you’re working on a residential project in Chicago and a commercial one in Dallas. The elevator permits alone might follow two completely different approval steps. One city might ask for engineering reports, and the other might want specific contractor details.
Without someone familiar with each location, you’re stuck figuring it out from scratch every time. Teams with local expertise know which office handles what, how code consulting comes into play, and when to follow up.
They don’t need to guess because they’ve done this before. And if you’re managing builds in different places, working with a group that has national reach makes it easier to keep everything moving without chasing down updates yourself.
Do You Need a Permit Expediter?
If your project’s timeline affects revenue, staffing, or grand opening plans, then yes—bringing in a permit expediter might be one of the smartest moves you make.
Getting permits approved is often tied to inspections, construction schedules, and local rules that don’t always play nice together. One slow approval can hold up everything else, costing thousands per week in lost opportunity.
How Permit Place Saves Time (and Revenue)
Permit Place gives you a full team of professionals who understand how to work with local jurisdictions. They help from the very beginning by making sure your application is complete and meets local requirements. That alone can save you a week.
During the review, they stay proactive. Corrections are handled quickly, and their relationships with city reviewers help avoid backlogs. That’s another week saved.
Then, before inspections, they prep your construction team so they’re not scrambling. When opening day gets close, they make sure you’re fully prepared for jurisdiction sign-offs.
Clients using Permit Place have opened up to four weeks faster. For businesses earning $15,600 a week per location, that adds up to $1.2 million in revenue moved forward, just by keeping the permit process on schedule.
Ready to Move Faster? Work With Permit Place
The permit process doesn’t have to hold up your entire project. With the right support, you can avoid delays, stay in sync with local rules, and move forward with confidence.
Throughout this article, we’ve looked at how permit expediters help simplify the approval process, reduce back-and-forth with cities, and bring real value to both residential and commercial projects.
For many teams, the goal is simple: stay on schedule and avoid getting stuck in paperwork or chasing down corrections.
If that sounds like something you’re aiming for, it helps to work with a team that’s done it time and time again.
Permit Place has helped thousands of projects open sooner by staying ahead of the red tape. Backed by a specialized team of experts, their permit expediters can proactively manage every step of the permitting process from due diligence to ready-to-issue.
If you’re ready to avoid hang-ups and get your permits handled the right way, reach out to Permit Place for a quote. They’ll help you figure out what you need and how to get there faster.
FAQs About Building Permit Expediting Services
How much do permit expediters charge?
Costs vary depending on the type of project, location, and how complex the approval process is. Some permit expediters charge a flat fee, while others bill hourly. Residential work might range from a few hundred dollars, while larger commercial or interior design projects could run into the thousands.
What is a construction expeditor?
A construction expeditor (also called a permit expeditor) is someone who helps manage the process of getting building permits approved. They assist with paperwork, review plans, follow up with city staff, and help streamline communication between your team and the permitting office.
How long does it take to get building permits in LA?
In Los Angeles, it depends on the type of project and the department involved. Some over-the-counter permits can be obtained in a day, while larger builds that involve architecture, engineering, or zoning can take several weeks or even months. A permit expeditor can help shorten this timeline by handling corrections quickly and staying in touch with the right offices.
How to be a permit expediter?
There’s no single path, but experience in construction, architecture, or permitting helps. Many start by working with firms that specialize in permit services. You’ll need to learn how local jurisdictions operate, how to review and submit documents properly, and how to determine what’s needed for each type of project. Being organized and good with people goes a long way.