The plan approval process can turn into a nightmare, since many people who choose to build custom homes have trouble in dealing with local government, more specifically with the planning and building department. The local county or city has to approve your designs and make sure the plans fit with their rules and regulations in a process called plan check. You have to provide to the local government offices all your plans and anything else they may ask for, which varies with every building department in every municipality.
This can be a very difficult process, and can last between three and six months. The best way to prevent problems is to work with experienced architects, engineers, and contractors (if involved at this time) that know the building department you’re submitting to. These professionals can use their relationships and knowledge of the local government inner workings to chart the fastest, smoothest course for approvals and save you from making costly mistakes.
Tips to Dealing with the Planning and Building Department
This step can vary a lot depending on the approach, but there are some pointers that you must remember in dealing with the authorities so that working with the building department goes smoothly:
- Keep communicating. First and foremost, keep the lines of communication open. The permitting process is all about passing information back and forth. Ask a lot of questions so you’re sure you understand how everything works.
- Be complete. Most building departments hand out or post online the information required to apply for a permit. Have all your information together in a nice neat package. Make sure it’s complete when you turn it in. If you piecemeal the process, you’ll frustrate the clerks, inspectors, or plan checkers and they won’t be able to make informed decisions.
- Deal with one person. One helpful person can make all the difference in a building or planning department. Dealing with the same person can keep you from having to explain your situation again and again. Find a person that you can work with. If you respect this person and give him or her a pleasant experience, then he or she is more likely to give you one.
- Have a single point of contact on your end. Plan-checkers, clerks, and inspectors get frustrated and confused by getting what can be conflicting information from the architect, the contractor, and the client. Pick a contact on your side, keep in touch, and trust in your contact.
- Be persistent. Most planning and building departments are underfunded and understaffed. They’re busy, and there is always a bigger problem to take your place. Don’t be afraid to call regularly to get the response you want. Be careful not to pester needlessly however. Pick your battles, but when there is something you really need, press the issue. Letting them know the realistic timelines at stake helps so they can set priorities in their workload.
- Don’t be intimidated or intimidating. These people are civil servants; they’re there to help you and want to do so. Don’t be afraid to be ignorant of the building process, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. At the same time, treat everyone in your building department with courtesy. Smiling and saying thank you goes a long way in reminding people that you’re human. A friendly tasteful joke once in a while may make that civil servant the inside friend you need.
If you manage to respect these tips, you will see that working with the planning and building department doesn’t necessarily have to be a torment.