The Importance of Pulling Permits

Building permits are required for new buildings and substantial alterations to existing buildings in the state of Connecticut.  There are additional requirements in each city or town.  Some towns require building permits for air conditioning unit installations, specific plumbing work and sprinkler installations.  While pulling a permit can be a hassle, it is a step that should not be skipped.

Building permits are not simply a revenue source for local municipalities.  It is a safe guard for the homeowner...your customer.  Building permits ensure the customer that the project plan has been reviewed by an outside source.  Through this review it has been determined that the plan will be executed up to current building code.  It also ensures the homeowner that work will be inspected at certain milestones for larger scaled projects.

Yes, this process can be costly not only for the actual permit, but for the time it takes for inspections.  Yes, the homeowner may tell you that they don't think a permit is necessary.  A rule is a rule and these rules are put in place for very specific reasons.  In the end, it is worth the time, effort and expense.

Think of pulling building permits as a great customer service tool.  Put yourself in the shoes of the homeowner.  They hire you to install a new HVAC system in their home, which requires a building permit in their city.  You proceed to do the work without a permit for whatever reason.  The homeowner is very pleased until the City Assessor makes their rounds and sees an HVAC unit at a house that didn't have one in the past.  Now the homeowner receives a letter stating that no only their taxes are going up, but they are going to be fined for having work done without a permit.

Sounds far-fetched?  It happens more than you would think.  Had the permit been pulled, this change would have been noted at City Hall and the new assessment would have been recorded.  No fuss, no fines.  Since that didn't happen, you now have a homeowner that is likely angry with you for not pulling the permit.  Most likely you just lost a repeat customer.

While building permits can seen like a hassle to some, they are necessary.  Don't skip this important step.  It will benefit both you and your customer.