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Typical Project Timeline from start to building permit approval.
Below is the timeline for your reference & base on our experience. This also depends on which city is reviewing the project. Small project: 3 to 6 weeks Home addition project: 2 to 4 months Custom Home Project: 2 to 4 months.
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What factors impact the timeline of the design review process?
The timeline for the design review process depends on which city is reviewing the project.
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What is the process for obtaining a building permit?
The process typically involves a zoning review, building permit review, and finally, building permit approval. At Permit Works, we can help you with the entire process, from start to finish.
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How long does it take to receive the initial design review from Permit Works?
We aim for 5 – 10 business days for our 1st preliminary design review from the day we came for site measurement. This also depends on the project scope of work.
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How long it will takes our engineers to finalize the design?
Our HVAC engineer or Structural engineer will take between 5 to 10 extra business days to finalize the drawings for permit submission. This timeline is dependent on the project scope of work and for reference only.
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How long will it takes my building permit to get approve?
According to our experience, usually, it will take 2 to 6 weeks. The timeline mentioned is for reference only. This depends on the city schedule and workload. However, our team will follow up with the city consistently and ensure the project is on track. If your project requires a minor variance application then you should be expected 2 to 6 months of approval time. This process requires a lot of effort to get through.
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How long does the minor variance process take?
The timeline for the minor variance process varies depending on the complexity of the project and the response times of the city planning department. On average, the process takes between 2 to 6 months.
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What do I need to do when I have decided to proceed with Permit Works?
Permit Works will send you a fee and service agreement for signature and another separate email with detail instruction of how to proceed. If you received our email instruction of how to proceed but did not received the fee and service agreement please double check you junk mail.
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When will Permit Works come to my property for site measurement?
Once the agreement is sign and retainer received, our staff will contact you for site measurement date. The booking will only be confirm once the retainer is received. The approximate lead time for site measurement is 5 business days.
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What should I expect during the site measurement visit from Permit Works Staff?
Arrival: If we booked a time with you for your project, our crew will be coming 15min +/- between the confirmed time. Measurement: Usually, site measurement from Permit Works will take from ranging 30min to 1.5 hours and this depends on the nature of your project. If your project is related to the interior, please ensure that our staff is able to access all areas of the house, meaning every room and the attics. If access is denied and we need to come back once again for the site measurement, an additional fee will be needed for a revisit. If the project is related to the exterior, please ensure that our staff is able to gain access to the property.
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What happen after site measurement?
Once we have come for site measurement, all you need to do is wait. If your project requires a survey, then it is a good time to email that to us. The 1st preliminary design for your review will be ranging from 5 to 10 business days. Please check your spam inbox, if the drawings haven’t arrived one time. If you require an update from us, please feel free to give us a call at 416 989 8900 and we will be happy to assist you.
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Who will be assigned to my project?
The designer who sent you the preliminary design is the designer assigned to your project. He/ She will assist you all the way to design completion.
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How can I request design revisions?
If you require design revision, you can simply reply back to the designer who sent you the design and request a revision.
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How long will it takes Permit Works staff do provide design revision?
Permit Works staff will usually provide design revisions within 2-5 business days. This also very dependent on the revision work required, if it is very complex it will take longer time range.
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How many times I can request my design revision?
We offer unlimited design revision during design phase as long as it is stay with the project scope of work.
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What is the next step after design confirmation?
Once you deem satisfied with our design then we will move on to the next steps. If your project requires extra consultants such as an HVAC engineer or Structural engineer review, then the project will take between 5 to 10 extra business days to finalize the drawings for permit submission. Once the drawings are finalized by all consultants involved then we are ready for building permit submission.
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How long will it takes my building permit to get approve?
According to our experience, usually, it will take 2 to 6 weeks. The timeline mentioned is for reference only. This depends on the city schedule and workload. However, our team will follow up with the city consistently and ensure the project is on track. If your project requires a minor variance application then you should be expected 2 to 6 months of approval time. This process requires a lot of effort to get through.
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What happen if my project does not get approve?
We will review the city comments and revise the drawings to comply with the city requirements. We do not charge a revision fee, as long as the project stays within the agreed scope of work. We will continue to revise the drawings as long as you are willing to work with us.
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Why Permit Works does not send me the approved drawings right away?
After the building permit is approved, the drawings will go through another review by our staff first. We want to ensure the city approved the drawings correctly. Sometime, the city will make. This process might take 2 to 5 business days.
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How long does it takes Permit Works to response to city comments?
We usually respond to city plan examiner comments within 3 to 5 business days.
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Does Permit Works charge additional fee for applying building permit?
No, we do not charge an additional fee for our building permit application service. We offer free building permit application service for all our projects.
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Does Permit Works guarantee zoning compliance of your project?
The short answer is no, as much as we love to ensure your project complies with the zoning before we begin, however it is not possible to do so as city policy changes very often. Even though we did help you inquire about zoning requirements for your project, we still do not guarantee zoning compliance. Alternatively, we strongly encourage our potential clients to give a city a call and inquire about themselves and get your zoning answer from the city firsthand. It doesn’t mean Permit Works does not care about your project zoning requirements, we simply cannot guarantee it.
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Does Permit Works guarantee Minor Variance Approval?
No. We do not guarantee minor variance result. This application process is dependent on city planning staff, your neighbors and the committee members opinion.
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What is Permit Works payment schedule?
For a simple project, we usually charge 50% for a retainer, and all the remaining fees will be paid prior to the building permit application. For a more complex project, we usually separate it into four different stages and each payment will be 25% of the total fee. All remaining fees will be paid in full prior to the building permit application.
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Are there any hidden fee from Permit Works?
We offer unlimited design revision to all our projects during the design phase, meaning we don’t charge extra for design revision. If during building permit review and city plan examiner request clarification or revision to the drawings, we do not charge an additional fee to revise our drawings. Additional fees are only applicable if the project scope of work is changed.
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Will Permit Works charge revision fee?
We do not charge revision fee during our design phase or drawings revision requested by the city examiner. Once the design is confirmed by you and we have sent our drawings to our consultants such as HVAC and structural engineers or building permit application then revision fee will apply.
