Even with all the associated stress, there are a lot of upsides to multi-site construction projects. Not only do they present a challenge for professionals who might tire of one-off projects, but they’re also the perfect opportunity to test out streamlined processes and centralized management strategies. Regardless, multi-site construction projects are still rife with obstacles — one of the largest remains getting commercial construction permits by state and municipality.
To help, we’ve put together a list of the top 4 tips for builders, architects, and project managers who are faced with obtaining permits in multiple different locations.
Tip #1: Know the Nuances of Requirements for Commercial Construction Permits by State and City
First and foremost, it’s always important to remember that when obtaining commercial construction permits by state for multi-site projects, regulations and requirements also vary by municipality. For instance, Austin and Dallas are both in Texas but each city has drastically different sets of regulations, requirements, processes, and even review systems.
In order to successfully navigate multi-site commercial projects, it’s essential to be familiar with the specific application requirements for each individual site. A few things you can do to facilitate this include:
- Researching local zoning and building codes — Researching each location’s regulations ahead of time ensures that your project complies with local requirements, avoiding costly delays or rejections.
- Prepare for varying timelines — Permit review and approval timelines can vary dramatically from one jurisdiction to the next. Be prepared for longer wait times in some cities, and account for this in your project timeline. It can be helpful to use a permit tracker system that keeps tabs on where each application stands in the process.
- Standardize your submissions — While each municipality has its own requirements, creating a standardized permit submission package that can be adapted to meet local needs can help you save time and ensure consistency across all sites. This includes organizing all necessary documents, plans, and forms in advance.
- Leverage direct contacts — Having established relationships with key personnel in different municipalities can significantly speed up the permitting process. At Scout Services, we have direct contacts at our fingertips, allowing us to follow up and resolve issues quickly, keeping your projects moving smoothly.
With our database of 7700+ locations and deep local knowledge, the experts at Scout Services can help expedite this step. Doing all the research yourself can take hours — we handle it so you focus on doing the job you were hired to do.
Tip #2: Utilize a Large Scale Tracker System
Our next tip for getting commercial construction permits by state is to utilize a large scale tracker system to keep tabs on all of your permit applications. These kinds of systems can help you centralize project management, stay on top of your deadlines with real-time updates, offer improved transparency and communication to all stakeholders, and enhance coordination across all sites.
In short: a large scale tracker system can significantly reduce delays and ensure all parts of your multi-site project move forward on schedule.
At Scout, we have experience running large scale tracker systems for thousands of locations across the United States. For one client in particular, our large scale tracker system allowed us to close out 800+ site projects in full with all permits obtained and with minimal delays. Thanks to this experience, we’re proud to offer this same advantage to all of our clients across the United States.
Tip #3: Leverage Strong Relationships with Local Authorities
Relationships matter. When obtaining commercial construction permits by state, timely success often comes down to good working relationships with city officials, inspectors, and permitting departments, which can help expedite the approval process and resolve any issues that arise.
Why, you might ask? Because sometimes, permit applications can get stuck in limbo. This can be due to a variety of factors — missing elements, miscommunications, and human error, to name a few — but having a strong working relationship with the people on the other side of the process can help you navigate these snags quickly and efficiently.
At Scout Services, we’ve worked hard over the years not just to learn the regulations and codes in every municipality across the country, but also to develop strong relationships with municipality officials. For our customers, this means we know exactly who to call if or when your permit application hits a snag.
Tip #4: Bring on Nationwide Permit Expediters to Help With Commercial Construction Permits by State
Finally, our last tip for successfully obtaining commercial construction permits by state in a timely manner is to bring on nationwide expediters from the start. When you work with Scout Services, you’re gaining a partner with permitting expertise in thousands of locations across the country. And with our established relationships with municipality officials, we’re able to streamline the application process so you get your permits on schedule.
Our approach is consistent and scalable, which means whether you’re handling permits for a single site or hundreds of locations, we apply the same proven processes and attention to detail. Supported by our cutting-edge database and technology, we can track, manage, and coordinate multiple permit applications with ease, providing real-time updates and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
For complex, large-scale projects, we offer tailored solutions to meet the specific challenges of each site. From difficult zoning issues to tight timelines, our team has the expertise to keep your projects moving forward, no matter the location or scope. With nationwide expediters on your side, you can focus on the bigger picture.
Scout Services Expedites Commercial Permits Nationwide
Looking for more resources? Check out our case study and find out how Scout Services expedited permits for 800+ locations for a major financial institution.
Ready to get started? Connect with us today and we’ll be in touch.
