This is the largest project I've done for myself, and working without a permit is not an option. Normally, a permit "expediter" takes the plans thru the City and deals with all the incompetency from the government workers, but I decided to "run" the permit myself and experience the process firsthand. I must admit, the permit process is not as bad as people say, but then again, plans produced by my office are not normally difficult to have approved. However, running the permit myself and running a business, I think I did pretty good by getting all the plans approved in less than 3 months. Could I have done it faster with an expediter? Maybe, but not by much. The process takes long because of the "drop off" process -- Drop off the plans and wait 3 weeks, then see the comments that the building dept made about the plans. Most of the comments pertain to the reviewers not having sufficient time to review them and see that their comments are actually already addressed on the plans. Not to say they aren't right sometimes and do actually have legitimate comments... I can appreciate it when that's the case. The best part about the entire permit process was when I went to pay for the permit... In the design of the project, we were planning on demolishing the existing house due to structural damage and the cost to repair... however, we maintained one of the existing walls so that we can grandfather a non-compliant setback. In other words, remove the existing wall and build it at the new setback regulation (10'), or maintain it intact, and keep it at the existing 6' setback... Well, the advantage of doing that is the Permit Fee, City/County Impact Fees and Future Taxes are MUCH LESS because (as ridiculous as it sounds) keeping 1 wall up constitutes an "ADDITION/REMODELING". Tearing it down would be considered "NEW CONSTRUCTION"!
So, I'm off to a good start... Saving money already!
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