Permits are required for a various amount of different aspects of a building, but recently, the township of Washington imposed a new permit. Property owners now have to have a permit when there is a change in occupancy.
“Council members say the intention of the permit - a certificate of continued occupancy (CCO) - is to protect buyers and renters from being saddled with violations left from the previous owner of a residence. Prior to either the sale of a residence, the seller, or in a change in the occupancy, the owner, must obtain a CCO, which is issued after the premises is inspected by the chief construction official for zoning, construction and health violations and open permits.”
Retail owners should take note because oftentimes they must have a permit that specifies how many people they are allowed to have in their building at one time. Construction companies and architects should take note of the permit regulations that townships and governments enact because it could affect how they decide to go about their retail construction.
Permit expediters also need to be aware of changing rules and regulations. They are expected to know any recent updates or dropped laws so they can help their clients more efficiently. Permit expediters are also expected to perform background checks into any municipalities permit and licensing laws. This gives them an edge and makes apply and obtaining a building permit very easy.
Permits are necessary because they help keep customers, employees and residents safe, “Council President Fred Goetz and Mayor Janet Sobkowicz have said in the past the ordinance is meant to serve as a safety precaution to new residential occupants and to protect them from paying for work that should have been completed by the previous owner.” Communities take these laws seriously, and if they are not abided by properly, then there can be a delay in any construction project, which costs retail chains.
Consult a permit expediter if you are not sure about the regulations that a community has put in place. They are a reliable source to make sure that you do not have sunk costs.
If you need help with a construction project, our staff at State Permits would love to help. Click here to ask.
Loud music, strong perfume and dim lighting.
Can anyone think of what clothing store these characteristics describe?
If you picked Abercrombie or Hollister then you would be correct. When most people are in a mall, they can smell the Fierce scent from miles away, and they can hear the music pumping as they near the retail clothing store. How a chain designs their store and the aesthetics they choose to decorate with help to build brand recognition with customers. There are many aspects that go into the design and construction of any retail store. Companies need to decide whether they want dim lighting or fluorescent. They need to pick the lay out, the signs and the many other aspects. As this article from Retail Source explains, a stores design can be extremely important to attracting customers,
“One of these essential elements is Visual Merchandising. VM encompasses everything you experience as you walk up to, into and through a store. Your image starts on the street with your façade, sign, front door and windows. If a potential customer isn’t attracted to what they see on the outside they are not likely to come inside to shop.
Storefront Image and Signage
Your façade is not always within your control but you can control its cleanliness. A clean sign, door, window and building say to your customers that you care about them, the neighborhood and your merchandise. As for coordinating your interior and exterior image, the sign tells customers if your store is elegant, funky, fun, junior, for children or adults, creative or conservative. Your interior store design and displays will ideally coordinate with your exterior sign image.
Window Displays That Tell a Story
Your store window displays give potential customers even more information. A window filled with merchandise like the old Woolworths looks disorganized and generally low cost. An expensive, elegant window often shows minimal merchandise well lit and simply presented. Space equals price. A traditional merchandise display may show items balanced in a classic manner with both sides perfectly matched with something larger in the center. A more creative display may have some things hanging from the ceiling interacting with the sitting merchandise in some way. Any type of original artwork will shout out “creative” as well. The addition of a sense of humor (that works for the morals and values of your community) is always a plus.”
As many retailers decide to open new stores, they are looking for ways to entice the customer and draw them in, and many businesses want to make their stores appearance unique and memorable. What architects, retailers and contractors need to keep in mind are the permits that go along with the building designs. Signs, lighting, plumbing, and many other aspects of a store are all subject to different permits. So when you are looking to add a new sign or construct a new building with bright bulbs, make sure that you are going after the right permits. It can be extremely beneficial to hire a permit expediter that knows the ins and outs of the retail permitting world. They usually have the right knowledge and a skilled staff that can get your project off to the right start.
If you have any questions or concerns about a project that you’re starting, feel free to ask us here.
We mentioned in one of our posts that supermarkets and super stores were seeing rapid growth throughout the country. As more and more chains open up, companies are looking to remodel their old stores. For instance:
“Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion LLC unveiled 25 newly remodeled stores in the Lynchburg, Va., and Danville, Va., areas on Oct. 26, according to www.progressivegrocer.com. Under construction since March 2011, the remodeled stores offer customers a better shopping experience and larger product selections. ‘We are enhancing our customers’ shopping experience through a more inviting interior design, and we have also expanded our fresh departments, including produce, meats and deli/bakery,’ said Larry Cassels, director of operations for Food Lion’s northeastern region.“
As new chains fight to keep up with superstores, they are looking to put on addition, add more storage and change the overall experience that customers have while shopping at their stores.
Did you know that permits are required even when you are just looking to remodel the inside of a store? If you want to move a door, you need a permit. Do you want to add another freezer room or storage center? Yup, you’re going to need a permit for that. In many cases, retail chains are looking to expand and perform construction in more than one store, and this is an area that a permit expediter would be handy.
For the most part, different regions of the country and different municipalities have different laws and regulations when it comes to building. They want to make sure that consumers and employees are safe. So, they ask that contractors and retail chains obtain the proper permits before beginning the remodeling process.
For example, the Food Lion chain is looking to change the exterior as well the interior of their stores.
"Additionally, as part of our remodeling efforts, we have new customer service and checkout areas to provide a speedy and efficient checkout process for our customers.” Additional store improvements include new signage, graphics, décor and enhanced lighting, creating a neighborhood marketplace-style atmosphere. The stores also have more space to provide a greater range of products, including more natural and organic foods, and larger beer and wine offerings.”
Permit expediters are knowledgeable about all aspects of the permitting industry. Building permits are required for signs, lighting and if you wish to sell alcohol on the premises. All these aspects of the construction process can be handled quickly and efficiently by a permitting expeditor.
Are you looking to expand or remodel? Do you have any questions about the permitting process? Then let State Permits help. Click here for more info.
To see Food Lion article, click here.
For most people, coffee is necessary to start the day. It’s the reason chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks have prospered and why McDonalds has added the McCafe section to their menu. Dunkin’ Donuts has seen that coffee is a luxury that most of us cannot live without, and they have already put into motion plans to expand its chain. Display and Design Ideas reported:
“Dunkin' Donuts, a subsidiary of Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc., has announced that 86 new restaurants are slated for development in the Washington, D.C. market by 2020, according to www.restaurantnews.com. Fifteen development agreements were signed during the past year that will deliver 64 new restaurants, in addition to 22 restaurants that previously were contracted.”
Dunkin’ Donuts has taken the smart step to expand its presence in a metropolitan area that has seen growth, and that most likely purchases a lot of coffee, “Washington D.C. has been a priority growth market for Dunkin’ Donuts and these 15 agreements have essentially sold out Dunkin’ Donuts development opportunities in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area,’ said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of franchising and market planning for Dunkin’ Brands Inc.”
Since Dunkin’ Donuts is not based out of D.C., it is up to them to research and find skilled contractors, architects and permit expediters in the areas that they are looking to begin construction. Laws and regulations may be different in the various local municipalities that they are looking to build, and it is extremely important to have knowledgeable staff on hand. If the construction project is to be completed by 2020, the workers have to have everything in order.
Permit expediters play an extremely vital role in making sure that construction projects are completed on time and on budget. If they do not secure the proper permits to begin building then construction could be halted for an unknown amount of time. Furthermore, if they apply for the wrong permits or fail to obtain the permits then construction could be stopped altogether and fines may be issued.
There are many factors that go into deciding to expand a retail chain, and one important consideration should be the construction crew that is used and the permit expediters that are sent ahead to secure the right paperwork. Without either, any company could face an expanded budget and angry consumers.
To read the article about Dunkin’ Donuts, click here.
To find out how State Permits can help secure the proper permits for your next project, click here.
In part 1 of this permitting series, we explained to you just how permit expediters can help ease the stress that architects face during any construction project. In part 2, we hope to show you why the project management staff at an expediting company can be more beneficial then allowing a general contractor to do all the work.
Permit Expediters and the General Contractor
He leads the team once the process has begun.
He keeps communication open between the two parties.
He assesses the situation on-site and makes that "in-the-heat-of-the-moment" decision.
Just who is this natural leader? Why it is none other then the general contractor of any construction project. The general contractor is similar to the quarterback of a football team. The responsibility of getting the job done and getting the job done right lies with them. They have to direct their team of workers and constantly confer with coaches and staff to make sure the right plays are made. The general contractor has to come with all the goods. They are responsible for the workers, the equipment and the job at hand. Oftentimes, they find that it is necessary to involve other parties to handle tasks that required specialty knowledge. So, for example, a contractor may sub-contract work to a plumber that has more expertise.
Plumbers, electricians other specialized workers are necessary to make sure that the building is safe and secure for all potential customers and employees. However; neither of these teams can begin their task unless the proper permits are in place. This is a 3rd and 1 situation for the general contractor. He needs to put the ball in the right hands to make it past the line so that the offense can continue to march down the field.
Experienced permit expediters know that they can't fumble when companies have large projects at stake. A delay in building because the proper forms were not filled out means a delay in store openings or extra, unforeseen fees; neither of which are risks that businesses can afford to take. So, that is why many permit expediters have years of expertise and practice. They know what departments to go to and which forms are necessary for each county. They are familiar with the different plumbing, electrical and building requirements, and their past work generally allows them to build up a solid relationship with the people behind the counter, and with all these attributes, a permit expediter should be your go to man.
If you have any questions about permit expediting or think that State Permits would work well with your team, contact us and let us know.
The construction industry has a lot of players and a lot of parts that contribute to it. There are the architects, the general contractors and the construction workers are the main components, but that’s not all it takes to make a building project run smoothly. The behind the scenes players also work hard to make sure that construction is completed on time and within budget. Just who are these workhorses that help retail companies competently use their resources? They are the permit expediters. Many people in the retail construction industry may not fully understand why expediters can be beneficial to the building process, but this 3-part series will help explain why sub-contracting out the permit process can actually aid in the construction. And with the smell of football and fall in the air, let’s tie that in and make it interesting.
Why Permit Expediters Benefit Architects
Architects are similar to football coaches when it comes to construction. They design, they plan, and they oversee the building process. With all that responsibility, it is easy to see why some of the plans and “coaching” should be shifted to others. Architects simply don’t have the time to spend going over every detail of every construction project, and if you surround yourself with experts in their perspective fields then you don’t have to. In the same way that head coaches bring aboard specialty coaches, architects need to look into hiring others to help so that they can focus on what they do best.
Permit expediters are a great asset to have on any team. They join a team ready with extensive knowledge of a job that they were hired to carry out. Oftentimes, expediters have had previous experience in a similar position, and they can readily take control and get the work done right the first time. Permit expediters can navigate any area of their expertise whether it's building permits, zoning laws or signage and surveys. With experienced expediters, paper work, due diligence and the permitting process are handled properly all the while leaving the architect to focus on his or her large task.
Know you need to add a permit expediter to your team? Click here to find out how State Permits can help you get to the end zone.
When retail chains decide to begin a construction project, they have to start somewhere, and the same goes for permit expediters. Each job is different and each permit requires different steps, but most jobs require expediters to complete due diligence before they start the permit process. It is a necessary step that leads to filling out the proper forms for building permits.
What exactly is due diligence and why is it necessary to the construction process? Due diligence is the research and investigation prior to the start of the actual constructing. Pre-construction research assesses the possible risks that go along with the property and the construction of any real estate property. It looks at the possibility of building and the prosperity of the land. This type of due diligence can be done by the architect.
Permitting due diligence is also necessary. Building permitting is a tricky part of the constructing business. Permits are required during construction and post construction, and it is vital the right forms are applied for. Permit expediters perform due diligence to find out which permits should be obtained for each project. The permit expediter should perform the proper research to know the permits that are required by each local government. Oftentimes, one of the city’s departments will be able to show the right direction, but it may take some digging. It is at this point in time that a permit expediter can be of some assistance. Since building permitting is a task that they excel, expediters can be called upon to obtain to assess the property and the type of building and quickly figure out what needs to be done. Permit expediters can assure contractors and architects that the permitting process will be completed quickly therefore assuring that there will be no delays to the project at hand.
Let’s say you are a large retail chain, and you are looking to build hundreds of new stores throughout the United States. Like most building projects, this one has a deadline and a budget. There are different requirements for each local and state government regulations, and the architectural plans are complicated and extensive. This means that contractors will have to spend a large portion of their time trying to maneuver the permit, license and codes of each jurisdiction, which will take away from their focus on the building project. Of course, there is a way to allow contractors to spend time on what they do best and obtain all the proper papers quickly and efficiently: permit expediters. But why should your retail chain hire a permit expediter, especially if you have one in-house?
Permit expediters are sub-contracted to obtain permits and licenses for construction projects. They perform the proper due diligence, they handle all the paperwork and different committees and they put in the time to make sure it all goes smoothly. When construction for a large project, such as expanding a retail chain, begins, the company is faced with daunting lines and different regulations in multiple jurisdictions. In-house permit people may have a general understanding of each local government, but they lack the in-depth knowledge and the relationships that permit expediters generate over time.
Besides being well connected and knowledgeable, permit expediters are generally a one-stop-shop. They have a deep background in everything permits, and this saves time and money for retail chains. Imagine this: an in-house permitting team has to deploy several people for a large project to obtain permits. These people are researching each city, which could take days, and then they have to figure out how to produce the permits. Permit expediters, on the other hand, know what they are doing in each place, and they know how to do it for each different permit or license.
Obtaining permits for multiple, separate bodies can be a lot of work for a large retail chain looking to expand. Permit expediters use expertise, contacts and knowledge to successfully obtain the proper retail building permits. Permit expediters make it so they are the sole point of contact between contractors and city planning committees. Retail chains only have to deal with one person that knows what they’re doing, which makes things much simpler, and who wouldn’t want that?
Permits are a necessary part of the building process, but do we really know why? Sometimes, because of the tedious task it takes to obtain a permit, we forget that permits are required to protect the employees and customers that will be spending their time in the stores. As retail chains roll out new buildings across the nation, the need for safety measurements increases.
Awhile back, a leading wireless carrier was looking to construct 150 new antenna sites across the state of Texas. In order to secure the proper permits, the retail chain had to convince planning committees in numerous local jurisdictions that the intended developments would not put the public’s safety at risk. This meant that the building’s architectural plan had to abide by certain zoning laws, health codes and building codes, and the permits that were required for each site were meant to help contractors live up to the city’s standards.
The overall point of permits, licenses and building codes is to ensure the welfare of the people that will inhabit them. States and local governments take the matter seriously if you do not secure the proper permits or licenses. For example, the County of Los Angeles Building Codes put into place a code enforcement program. If proper rules and regulations are not followed then they have the right to take administrative, criminal or civil action. The types of cases that this program strictly enforces are:
Buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or which constitute a hazard to health, safety, or public welfare.
Buildings or structures constructed, altered or demolished or grading performed without the required permits and approvals.
Work for which a permit was first obtained, but which has progressed beyond a point without obtaining the required inspections and approvals of the building official.
The program was put in place to make sure the public was protected. Most federal, state and local authorities all have some law that protects its citizens. If you are not familiar with each states rules and requirements then consider hiring a permit expediter. They are skilled in numerous government regulations and quickly and efficiently maneuver through each department to gather the right pieces of paper.
From the construction workers to the store workers to the shoppers, permits help keep them safe. They help prevent potential hazards and dangerous situations from arising. So, do your research, follow the law and obtain the proper permits.
In our last post, we focused on retail chains that were expanding their product and service line, but what about those chains that are just seeking to expand their presence nationwide? As retail chains decide to grow, they need to choose the proper location and hire the right people to make sure the construction goes smoothly.
So, what happens when you have a hundreds of construction projects going on at the same in a multitude of locations? Oftentimes when businesses expand, they don’t just open one store, and that is when things can get tricky. For most building sites, a number of permits are requires. From zoning to construction to interior design to the signs out from, permits are a necessary part of any building process. Retail chains that are looking to grow ought to be aware that before any construction begins all the proper permits need to be in place.
Before permits are issued, individual planning committees in each of the districts where units are going to be located will scrutinize the building plans. This means that dozens of permits must be obtained from each, separate planning committee, and although each committee has to comply with federal health and safety regulations, each will have a different agenda when it comes to appearance, interior design and environmental impact. Overall, this means that each retail store will need permits that vary from the next.
Permit expediters can be a great service to those retail chains looking to expand. Firms that try to manage all the permits for a multi-location projects invariably wind up spending more than if they were to hire a permit expediter. Expediters have experience working with different local and state departments to secure the right paperwork so that construction can begin on time. They work with the company to make sure that everything is going according to plan and that everything goes off without a hitch.
Expanding a retail chain can be a lot of work, but with the right people on board, the process can be simplified. Permit expediters can help save time and money while providing businesses with the support they need to see growth in the industry.
