FAQ's

To get a building permit you would first, need to apply for one. Every local governing agency has different requirements and after COVID-19 all processes have changed. Depending on the scope of the project and what it requires, you may need to submit drawings of what the permit is requesting. To save time and money, it is highly recommended that you hire a Permit Expediting company.

A building permit is a legal document issued by the local government that allows you to proceed with construction on a project. Building permits are required to ensure the safety of your family and neighbors, keep your community looking nice, and protect your investment.

Building without a permit when a permit is required is not a good idea. You will face extreme penalties from your local government agency and pay extra to undo all the work done without apermit. The city can fine you per day, every day while you are working to revert the nonpermitted structure to its original state or until you legalize the work.

The time it takes to get a permit differs greatly based on the type of permit and the local government building agency. Building permits could take anywhere from one week to years… The architect and/or engineer that one chooses plays a big part in how long the permit takes to get approved. If choosing an architect/engineer that is well familiarized with the States Building Code and local Zoning Codes a permit being rejected could be avoided. Lastly, hiring a permit expeditor that is familiar with the county or city’s requirements could help save a lot of time.

Choosing a Permit Expediting company could be very tricky. Some expeditors are a one-person operation and generally work for themselves. Furthermore, don’t know the exact processes which could eventually make you lose more time and money. If you make the wise decision to choose a permit expediting company, make sure to look at these points:
•How many years have they been in business?
•Do they have an office?
•How big is their team?
•Look at their recent projects.
•Google search them and determine how reputable they are.
•See if they have a website and examine it.

Painting permits are required to ensure that all work performed in the City of Coral Gables is safe, legal, and following building and zoning laws and ordinances.

Yes, a permit is required to verify that the manufacturer’s installation procedures are followed and are in compliance with the Florida Building Code. Residential interior door replacement does not require a permit.

Your application and documents are being reviewed by a plan processor to determine if the permit(s) you are applying for complying with the requirements of the building code or other applicable municipality requirements.

Once your permit has been issued, you will have 180 days to complete the work and call for inspections. Be advised, that an approved inspection for your master, or any sub-permits (permits requested for a specific discipline under a master permit), will generally extend your permit for an additional 180 days from the approval date (varies with municipalities).

Sub-permits must be obtained and inspected separately. Also, depending on the discipline, theymight need to be pulled by a licensed contractor. Please check your permit card, local expeditor, or permit portal to verify if there are sub-permits required.

After successfully passing your inspections and before making a final payment to the contractor, the contractor should provide you proof that all final inspections have been approved by the City or Municipality. They could also provide you with a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion by the City or Municipality.

State law requires electrical contracting to be done by licensed electrical contractors. You have applied for a permit under an exemption to that law. The exemption allows you, as the owner of your property, to act as your own electrical contractor even though you do not have a license.

Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code states that a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes. Work that requires an inspection to verify compliance with the applicable technical code requires a construction permit. Separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits may be required even
if a building permit is not required

A Florida licensed contractor is required for the construction of new buildings, alteration, repairs, and additions to existing buildings. Permits are issued to Florida licensed contractors and qualifying owner builders as described below. To check to see if a contractor is licensed in Florida please contact the Building Inspection Division office or visit the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp

You can obtain permits for and construct your residence as long as the following criteria as stated in Florida Statute, Chapter 489, Section 489.103(7) as follows:

Owners of a property when acting as their contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors, when building or improving farm outbuildings or one-family or two-family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease, or building or improving commercial buildings, at a cost not to exceed $75,000, on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners andnot offered for sale or lease. In an action brought under this part, proof of the sale or lease, or offering for sale or lease, of any such structure by the owner-builder within 1 year after completion of same creates a presumption that the construction was undertaken for purposes of sale or lease. This subsection does not exempt any person who is employed by or has a contract with the such owner and who acts in the capacity of a contractor. The owner may not delegate the owner’s responsibility to directly supervise all work to any other person unless that person is registered or certified under this part and the work being performed is within the scope of that person’s license. For this subsection, the term “owners of the property” includes the owner of a mobile home situated on a leased lot. To qualify for exemption under this subsection, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. The local permitting agency shall provide the person with a disclosure statement in substantially the following form