3 Ways to Avoid Costly Permit Delays in Real Estate Projects

[Umar Mohammed]

Hi BP community,

One challenge I see investors run into often is permit delays sometimes waiting weeks (or even months) before they can move forward on a flip, remodel, or ADU project. From my experience working on architectural drawings and city submissions, here are a few practical tips that can help speed things up:

1. Double check city requirements before submitting
Every city has its own checklist for what needs to be included in a permit set. Submitting drawings without the right details (e.g., site plans, MEP, structural info) is the fastest way to get a “correction notice” that sets you back weeks.

2. Get drawings done with permitting in mind
A lot of plans look nice on paper but don’t meet code. If the drawings are created specifically for permit approval (instead of just design), the city is far more likely to approve them without multiple revisions.

3. Communicate with the plan checker early
Many investors submit and then wait. Reaching out to the city’s plan checker or permit desk early can save time you’ll know exactly what they’re looking for, and you can address issues before they become roadblocks.

I’d love to hear from others:
  What’s been your biggest challenge with permits?
  Have you found strategies that helped speed things up in your market?

Looking forward to learning from your experiences and sharing more insights as well.

Umar