9 Benefits of Hiring a Local Los Angeles Permit Expediter
Whether you’re building luxury real estate or a commercial property, you are going to need to obtain the right building permits if you want to complete construction without issue. Once you start this process, it’s highly recommended that you obtain the services of a Los Angeles permit expediter who can expedite the entire building permit process so that you can begin construction as quickly as possible.
To understand how beneficial it can be to your construction project if you hire a Los Angeles permit expediter, keep in mind that building permits take around 2-4 weeks to approve but can take months to fully process. An experienced permit expediter should be able to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for a building permit to be processed and approved, which will allow you to get started on your project sooner. To shorten the wait time, a building expediter will review development plans, identify any mistakes, and make sure that your plans adhere to local building codes.
The nine primary benefits that come with hiring a permit expediter include:
- Specialized local knowledge
- Familiar with laws and ordinances
- Handles project management
- Handles all the paperwork or documentation needed for licensing
- Determine building departments for you
- Conduct research for you
- Monitor changes and reviews
- Understand costs of building projects
- Shorter waiting periods
1. Specialized Local Knowledge
When you hire a permit expediter who is based out of Los Angeles, they will have specialized local knowledge that can be highly beneficial when attempting to make sure that your development plans are up to code. This knowledge should include all local building codes. If the expediter you choose finds that your development plans fall short of local guidelines, you should be able to make adjustments early enough to where the project isn’t delayed for too long.
The local knowledge that expediters have allows them to understand who to contact and what advice they should give to make sure that development progresses accordingly. If you hire a permit expediter at the beginning of the development process, you should be able to save a significant amount of time by avoiding project delays.
2. Familiar with Laws and Ordinances
Some of the specialized local knowledge that permit expediters have extends to local laws and ordinances. It’s important to understand that these laws can differ depending on the type of building you’re creating. For instance, Los Angeles law dictates that requirements for constructing a townhouse are completely different than ones for building a shopping center.
These laws can also differ depending on the jurisdiction you’re in. Without a Los Angeles permit expediter by your side, you could easily overlook a local law. If this occurs, the problem may not be identified until the property is inspected or you’ve progressed through most of the building permit process.
3. Handles Project Management
Likely the most important benefit of hiring a local permit expediter is that they can handle project management for you from beginning to end. By having someone else manage the project, you should be able to reduce your stress levels significantly. The permit expediter you hire should be able to speed up the timeline for the project while also allowing you to obtain quicker approval.
4. Handles All the Paperwork or Documentation Needed for Licensing
Among the more notable benefits of hiring a Los Angeles permit expediter is that they will handle all of the paperwork and documentation involved with the building permit process, which can save you a significant amount of time and frustration.
Along with reviewing your construction documents and development plans, a permit expediter will also help you by collecting all of the necessary paperwork for a building permit and by completing the building permit application. The documentation that will need to be gathered before you apply for a building permit includes photographs, maps, engineering designs, and energy calculations, all of which will be handled by the permit expediter you hire.
5. Determine Building Departments for You
Different building departments will handle the various types of building permits. If you don’t hire a permit expediter to assist you with the building permit process, you may find it difficult to know which department to go to in order to initiate the process. While most of the permits for Los Angeles are handled directly by LADBS, different departments and office locations within LADBS handle different permits.
A permit expediter will be able to determine which department should handle the permit you wish to apply for so that you don’t need to waste your own time attempting to find the right office or department on your own. It’s also important that you don’t make the mistake of submitting the building permit application to the wrong department, which could delay the start of your development project by a significant amount of time.
6. Conduct Research for You
Another time-saving benefit of hiring a permit expediter is that they will conduct research for you. If you’re looking to develop a relatively complex project, research is going to be important if you want to learn more about the required permits, any licensing requirements, and any legal implications of your project.
Local permit expediters who are based out of Los Angeles have comprehensive experience in dealing with all types of construction projects, which means that they likely already know most of the licensing requirements and legal implications of your project. For anything they are unsure of, they will conduct the research so that you don’t have to.
7. Monitor Changes and Reviews
The approval of a building permit usually takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks. However, it can take several months for the application to be processed mainly due to the need for revisions. In the event that your development plans aren’t up to code in some area, revisions would need to be made to ensure that construction can continue without issue.
A permit expediter will identify logistics for you and assist with any changes and reviews that must be made. Once all of the necessary changes have taken place, they will resubmit the forms for you. Permit expediters understand local building codes and guidelines, which is why it’s important to have one with you when it’s time to make changes to your development plans. Their knowledge should allow you to avoid the need for future changes, which helps to make sure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
8. Understand Costs of Building Projects
Permit expediters are knowledgeable in what it takes for a project to meet code compliance regulations throughout Los Angeles, which means that they also understand which materials should be used if you want to adhere to these regulations. With this knowledge, the permit expediter you partner with can assist you in deciding which materials can be used for the project.
Since these individuals understand what materials would work best for different types of projects, they also have a thorough knowledge of the costs associated with building projects, which can come in handy when you’re attempting to make a detailed budget for the development project at hand.
9. Shorter Waiting Periods
Permit expediters know who to talk to when you’re waiting for your building permit application to be approved. They also have extensive knowledge of the issues that can occur during this process, which means that they can help you navigate hurdles and avoid problems that would otherwise cause the application process to take much longer.
In most cases, a permit expediter will be able to help you get your application approved in the shortest turnaround time possible, which is typically around two weeks with building permits in Los Angeles. By getting your permit to you in a short period of time, development can begin sooner than it would have if you applied for the permit yourself.
Maximize Your Advantage When Hiring a Permit Expediter
Hiring a local permit expediter in Los Angeles can provide you with many fantastic benefits that will only serve to improve the development process. From shorter waiting periods to less paperwork, the benefits of hiring a permit expediter far outweigh the costs of doing so. Along with the knowledge that they can provide to you throughout the development process, these individuals also have the expertise necessary to manage the entire project for you, which should help to alleviate some of your stress.
If you would like to take advantage of the many benefits available to you when you hire a permit expediter, it’s easy to get started. Your main consideration when selecting a Los Angeles permit expediter should be to choose the right one. First, it’s recommended that you find a permit expediter who has experience in handling development projects like yours. They should also have worked on numerous projects in Los Angeles.
When you have a list of potential permit expediters, type each one into Google to find customer reviews, which might help you determine which ones are reputable. The permit expediter you choose should have one or more certifications in real estate development. By following these guidelines, you’ll likely be able to find a permit expediter you can be confident in.
Jason Somers, President & Founder of Crest Real Estate
With over 15 years of professional experience in the Los Angeles luxury real estate market, Jason Somers has the background, judgement and track record to provide an unparalleled level of real estate services. His widespread knowledge helps clients identify and acquire income producing properties and value-ad development opportunities.
Learn more about Jason Somers or contact us.