The permitting process is broken. Facing complex barriers, red tape, and a winding trail of paperwork to navigate, construction teams struggle to get the necessary permits to make progress on projects.
Building permit software is the solution to that problem. With permit management software, construction teams can establish clear processes based on municipality, manage multiple permit submissions at once, and consolidate permitting documentation all in one place.
The hard part is choosing the right software for your team. This article breaks down the intricacies of permitting software and what you should look for when choosing construction permitting software.
What is building permit software?
Building permit software is primarily used by teams in the construction industry to manage the process of applying for building permits. Every municipality requires building permits to ensure that construction projects comply with local building codes and safety standards.
The best building permit software helps your team:
- Manage multiple permit submissions at once
- Monitor where permits are in the review process
- Analyze your historical permit submission data
- Expedite the permitting process to keep your projects on track
Why is building permit software necessary?
No matter which municipality your project is in, pulling a permit can be a convoluted maze of paperwork.
If you file incorrectly, your project can be delayed before work even begins. This process becomes even worse when you add additional permits to the process — so much so that some teams may even hire a dedicated permit coordinator just to manage the permit submission process.
Using building permit software helps minimize all of these issues. Effective building permit software clearly outlines the permitting process in different municipalities to ensure that applications are accurate and complete, every time. It’s also a great way to consolidate communications and files related to the permit submission process. When multiple team members are working on the permit application together, using a building permit software program provides a central source of truth.
In addition to outlining the requirements needed to submit an error-free permit application, permit tracking software helps provide status updates for in-progress submissions. This helps your team provide a more accurate timeline for your clients, so they know exactly what to expect.
The challenges of manual building permit management
- Long submission timelines: Without software, you’ll have to create each application one by one. It’s a time-consuming process that can delay the progress of other projects in your pipeline.
- Error-prone processes: Manually submitting permits project-by-project leads to human error — such as incorrect information or missing documentation — causing delays or unexpected fines.
- Minimal real-time tracking and updates: Most municipalities do not offer real-time tracking or updates for permit submissions, leaving you waiting until you hear back from the appropriate department.
- Communication issues: Effective communication among all stakeholders is vital. However, permit submissions typically have only one main point of contact, which can create bottlenecks and delays.
- Managing multiple permits simultaneously: When juggling multiple permit submissions, all of these challenges are compounded. Some municipalities may offer building permit templates or easy-to-submit forms, but this is not always the case.
- Lack of document management: Permit submissions require various documents, including blueprints, forms, and project plans. Manually managing these documents can be challenging, especially when multiple stakeholders are involved.
- Minimal data and reporting analytics: Manual submissions provide limited data beyond the standard submission timeline. To identify areas for improvement, it’s best to use a tool that tracks and analyzes relevant data.
- Scalability issues: Manually submitting permits can hinder your ability to expand your construction business. You’ll need scalable processes that streamline submissions while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
3 features of the best building permit software
Here are three major things to look for when choosing the right building permit software for your construction team.
Pro tip: Keep in mind that there are different programs designed for different end users. For example, there’s city permitting software designed for local government use. As a GC, builder, or developer, you’re looking for permitting software for contractors
1. Permit management and expediting
Look for software that visualizes where your permits are in the pipeline, and alerts you if there are any actions needed from your team to move the process forward. Great permit software like PermitFlow helps centralize all of your projects in one place, so you can quickly identify which permits need your attention at a glance.
The best building permit software eliminates as much bureaucratic red tape as possible, so you can start your projects sooner. PermitFlow helps you identify what is needed for your application, no matter what jurisdiction you’re in. That way, each application is submitted correctly the first time without any issues or delays.
2. Nationwide coverage and local knowledge
Depending on what municipality you’re in, permitting requirements and processes vary. This makes managing multiple projects in different municipalities a nightmare.
Construction permit software with nationwide coverage can help you pinpoint exactly what you need to apply for a permit in any given municipality. Choose software from a provider whose team has local expertise so you can balance several projects across the country with ease.
3. Supports integrations
When implementing building permit software, consider how it might interact with other programs you already have in place. Look for a solution that integrates with other software your team is already using, like Autodesk or Procore.
Using software that integrates with your existing workflow minimizes the amount of back-and-forth your team has to do to complete tasks. With your tech stack fully integrated, all of the information and work is done in one place, simplifying the permit submission process as a whole. Your team will get time back to focus on higher-value activities — like project management and business development — instead of managing the permitting process.
4. Cloud-based platform
Cloud permit software refers to programs that store data on the cloud rather than on a centralized hard drive.
With cloud-based building permit software, your entire team can access permit applications and documentation from anywhere, whether they're at the office, on a job site, or working remotely. This accessibility eliminates bottlenecks caused by having critical files stored on a single device. Your team will be able to collaborate efficiently regardless of location.
Cloud-based solutions also scale with your business. As your construction company grows and takes on more projects, a cloud-based platform can easily accommodate the increased workload without requiring significant hardware upgrades. Software updates and new features are implemented automatically, ensuring you always have access to the latest tools without disrupting your workflow.
Building permit software vs. permit expediter
Building permit software is a relatively new development in the construction industry. If you aren’t using permit software, there’s a good chance you hire a permit expediter for your projects. But what’s the difference between permitting software and a permit expediter?
While permit expediters have knowledge of local codes and sometimes relationships with municipal officials to leverage, they often charge high rates and may juggle multiple clients simultaneously.
In contrast, software solutions like PermitFlow offer nationwide coverage, consistent processes for all permit types, and 24/7 accessibility from anywhere.