Permit Pulling
Definition
Permit pulling is the process of obtaining required government approvals before beginning work that is regulated by local building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical codes.
What Permit Pulling Means for Your Business
What it means
Many trades jobs legally require a permit: new electrical panels, water heaters, HVAC installs, gas lines. The contractor files the application, pays the fee, and gets the permit before the work starts.
Why it matters
Unpermitted work can be ripped out during a home sale inspection, void insurance claims, and expose the contractor to fines or license suspension. Pulling permits is not optional for reputable shops.
How contractors use it
The office team pulls permits as part of the job setup workflow. Many jurisdictions now support online permitting. The permit number goes into the job folder and the inspection is scheduled after the work is complete.
Real-World Example
An electrical contractor pulled 1,240 permits last year at an average $110 fee, marked up 100% to the customer. That added $136,400 in billable fees and kept the company fully compliant.
Related Terms
Inspection
An inspection is an official or in-house review of completed work to confirm it meets code, safety, and quality standards before the job is closed out.
Work Order
A work order is the digital or paper document that authorizes and records the work performed on a specific service call.
Load Calculation
A load calculation is the engineering process of determining the precise heating, cooling, or electrical capacity a building needs based on its size, materials, and usage.
Journeyman
A journeyman is a skilled tradesperson who has completed an apprenticeship and is licensed to perform trade work independently under a master's supervision.
Technical Certification
A technical certification is a formal credential that verifies a technician has mastered specific skills, equipment, or regulatory requirements in their trade.
Put This Into Practice with Free Software
Kaldr Tech handles permit pulling and everything else you need to run your shop. $0/month, 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction.