Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: PetrosA, Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Asked on: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:41 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:40 am EDT
Question: I looked at a job today in a township I haven't worked in before. I would be the electrical sub for two bath renovations involving installing one fan/light and moving a GFI in one bath, and installing a GFI circuit, replacing fan/light, and installing 8-10 sq. ft. of floor heat in a second bath, so not a big job at all. With one-way travel time to get to the jobsite, I'm looking at 5 hours of time involved with filling out permit applications (including a whole house load calc.), getting notarized exemptions for workman's comp. etc. not to mention half a tank of gas .Do those of you who work in areas with super stringent permitting charge for this time? Most of my permits take under an hour to prepare and file for, so this is extreme, especially considering how small the job is. It basically ate up an entire day of my time.
Yes, many electricians in areas with stringent permitting requirements charge for the time involved in preparing and filing permit applications. This is a necessary expense for many reasons: It takes time
Permit applications can be complex and time-consuming to prepare, especially in areas with strict requirements.
It requires expertise
Electricians are not always familiar with the specific permit requirements in each jurisdiction.
It can be costly
If the electrician makes a mistake on the permit application, it can lead to delays and additional costs.For the job you described, it is reasonable to charge for the following time involved in obtaining permits:
Filling out permit applications
1 hour
Getting notarized exemptions for workman's comp.
30 minutes
Whole house load calculation
1 hour*
Travel time
1 hour
Total: 3.5 hoursIn addition to the time involved, you may also need to charge for materials such as copies of permits and notarization fees.When quoting the job, be sure to include the cost of permit preparation and filing in your estimate. This will help you avoid surprises and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your time and effort. Flag for review