Permit research for your address
City, county, HOA and deed-restriction requirements, plus floodplain status, before design starts.
Permits and approvals, handled from the first drawing to the final inspection
Permits are where construction projects stall: an incomplete application, a missing engineering letter, a comment nobody answers. We prepare complete permit packages, coordinate the architects and engineers your project needs, and keep the file moving until the final inspection passes.
- Permit research before design, not after
- Drawings and engineering coordinated for you
- Plan-review comments answered quickly
What we handle
Permit work is included in every project we build. We also help owners whose projects need permit coordination.
Drawings and engineering
Construction drawings, structural and foundation engineering and surveys coordinated with licensed architects and engineers when the work needs stamped plans.
Applications and submittals
Complete applications with the drawings, forms and supporting documents the reviewer expects.
Plan-review comments
Answering reviewer comments, revising drawings and resubmitting without letting the file sit.
HOA and covenant approvals
Architectural review applications, material and color submittals and setback checks.
Trade permits and inspections
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits obtained by the licensed trades, and every inspection scheduled through final.
Projects that usually need permits
If your project is on this list, plan for permits from the start. It is cheaper than stopping work for a correction notice.
Who issues permits around Houston
Cities issue their own permits. Inside the City of Houston, residential and commercial permits go through the Houston Permitting Center. Conroe, Sugar Land, Pearland, Tomball and other cities run their own permit and inspection departments, and many require contractors to register before they can pull permits.
Unincorporated areas follow county rules. Much of Spring, Cypress and Katy and many acreage properties in Montgomery County sit outside city limits. There, county floodplain, septic and development requirements may apply instead of a city building permit.
HOAs and deed restrictions are separate. Architectural review and deed restrictions apply in most subdivisions, with or without a city permit, and usually have to be satisfied first.
Licensed trades pull their own permits. Texas requires plumbing, electrical, HVAC and irrigation work to be done under the matching state licenses, and those trades obtain the related permits and inspections.
How the permit process runs with us
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Review
We look at your project and address and list every approval it needs, in order.
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Prepare
Drawings, engineering, forms and supporting documents assembled into a complete package.
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Submit
Applications filed with the city or county, and the HOA where required.
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Respond
Reviewer comments answered and revisions resubmitted promptly.
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Inspect
Inspections scheduled at each stage, corrections made and the permit closed out.
Permit questions
Still unsure? Ask us directly and we will answer in plain terms.
Can you guarantee my permit will be approved?
No one can honestly guarantee approval, because plan reviewers and inspectors make that decision. What we control is a complete, accurate application, drawings that meet the code the reviewer applies, and quick, thorough responses to comments. That is what keeps projects from stalling.
How long does a permit take in the Houston area?
It depends on the city or county and the project. Simple trade permits can be issued quickly; additions, new homes and commercial build-outs go through plan review, which can take several weeks or more. We give you the expected timeline for your jurisdiction when we plan the schedule.
Do I need a permit for my project?
Most work that changes structure, plumbing, electrical, gas or mechanical systems needs one, as do additions, attached patio covers and pools. Cosmetic work often does not. Requirements differ between the City of Houston, surrounding cities and unincorporated county areas, and we confirm them for your address.
Do you work with architects and engineers?
Yes. When a project needs stamped drawings or engineering, we coordinate licensed architects and engineers, or work with the professional you already have.
Can you help with a project that is stuck in plan review or was started without a permit?
Often, yes. We review where the file stands and what the city needs, then tell you plainly what it will take to move forward.
Do permits differ between cities and unincorporated areas?
Yes. Cities such as Houston, Conroe, Sugar Land and Pearland issue their own building permits. In unincorporated parts of Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, county floodplain, septic and development rules may apply instead, and HOA rules apply almost everywhere.
Need help with a permit?
Tell us what you are building and where. We will tell you what approvals it needs and how we would handle them.
- Written, itemized estimate
- Permits and approvals handled for you
- One point of contact from start to finish
Request an estimate
Tell us what you are planning. We follow up to schedule a site visit.