Construction Permit Services: Options, Costs, and Why Choose Software

When starting a new construction project — from a new home to a multi-million dollar mixed-use space — one thing remains true: you must apply for permits before starting construction. But whether you’re a residential builder, a commercial developer, or a home services contractor installing HVAC systems, you have other important tasks to tackle. That’s why many professionals seek construction permit services.

Paying for construction permit services is an added expense but can help keep your projects compliant, on schedule, and within budget.

In this guide, we cover:

• Your options for effective construction permit services
• What you might pay to outsource permitting to a third party
• Why more builders are switching to more efficient permit management software

‍

Construction permit services: What are my options?

Construction permit services are third-party services that cover all of the tasks involved in obtaining a building permit. These services are designed to ensure your project complies with local building codes, zoning laws, safety standards, and other local regulations.

Common services include:

• Preparing and submitting permit applications
• Coordinating with local building departments
• Monitoring plan review timelines
• Handling revisions or resubmissions
• Scheduling inspections
• Maintaining documentation and status updates

Want to learn more about local regulations in your jurisdiction? Check out our municipal guides to find information on your unique locale. 

‍

Option 1: Permit expediters

Permit expediters are third-party professionals who specialize in navigating complex permitting processes. They know the ins and outs of local building departments, understand common pitfalls, and often have established relationships with government bodies that specialize in reviewing building or construction plans.

When you might use a permit expediter:

• In cities with long or confusing permit processes
• For high-stakes commercial builds on tight timelines
• If your internal team lacks experience or bandwidth

Typical pricing structures:

• Hourly rates: $75 – $150+ per hour depending on market rates
• Flat fees: $500 – $2,000+ per permit, depending on project complexity and location
• Bundled rates: For multiple simultaneous permits or ongoing relationships

While expediters can save time, they also add a significant cost line to your budget. And more importantly, they don’t always provide the necessary transparency needed throughout the permit process.

‍

Pros and cons of permit expediters 

Pros:

• Deep local knowledge
• May be able to accelerate timelines
• Handles the back-and-forth with city officials

Cons:

• Expensive for ongoing or multi-location projects
• Limited visibility into permit status
• No guarantee of approval speed
• Creates a dependency
• Potentially poor communication, especially if the expediter has other clients

‍

Option 2: Building permit software

As the construction industry becomes more digitized, software solutions for managing building permits are replacing old-school methods like permit runners. Permitting platforms like PermitFlow are designed to help you streamline the process while improving transparency.

What building permit software can do:

• Auto-fill permit applications based on project data
• Track permit status in real time
• Centralize document uploads and revisions
• Send alerts and reminders for tasks or approvals
• Match your project with jurisdiction-specific requirements
• Generate reports for compliance and audits
• Integrate with existing tools like Procore, ServiceTitan, and more

‍

Permit software vs. permit expediters

Permit software empowers your internal team to own the permitting process and standardize it across all projects and locations. This is particularly valuable for companies that manage multiple builds at once or work across multiple cities or counties.

‍

‍

‍

Who should use permit management software?

• High-volume builders managing multiple jobs simultaneously
• Commercial and residential developers operating in multiple jurisdictions
• Contractors and subcontractors who want more control and less back-and-forth
• Project managers looking to integrate permitting into existing workflows and gain more visibility into permitting

‍

How to choose the right construction permit service 

Whether you’re considering hiring an expediter or investing in software, vetting your options carefully is essential.

If you’re hiring an expediter:

• Ask about their experience in your local jurisdiction
• Request estimated timelines based on similar past projects
• Get references and case studies
• Clarify communication expectations and reporting

If you’re choosing software:

• Ensure support for all your key jurisdictions and scopes of work
• Look for integrations with your core software tools like Procore, ServiceTitan, and Autodesk
• Evaluate user interface and ease of use
• Prioritize customer support and onboarding
• Confirm whether the platform stays up to date with code changes and local regulations

‍

Choose the best construction permit service for your project

Construction permit services are a crucial but often overlooked part of any successful build. Knowing what options are available to streamline the process can make the difference between costly delays and smooth approvals.

While permit expediters can be helpful in a pinch, they’re no substitute for a scalable, transparent solution. For today’s builders, contractors, and developers, permit management software offers the control, speed, and insight needed to stay ahead in a competitive market.

‍

Opt for PermitFlow

PermitFlow is your all-in-one permitting solution for builders, developers, contractors, and other construction businesses, designed to save time, speed up approvals, and minimize back-and-forth. 

Ready to streamline your permitting process with PermitFlow? Talk to one of our permitting experts today to get started.