Do Subs Pull Permits?

[Emily L. Wiersema]

Hi all! I have my first BRRRR under contract and it will need a lot of work. To start I will be project managing and DIY some lighter projects so I can learn the ints and outs. Will I need to pull permits for all my subs or do they pull themselves? I am in the Milwaukee area if anyone has any specifc experience here. I did reivew the list of work that requires permits and seems to be most...

https://city.milwaukee.gov/PermitChecklist#.XvD5IhpKjD4

[Marcus Auerbach]

@Emily L. Wiersema congrats to your first BRRRR!

Have your contractors pull permits; Milwaukee let's you do some of your own work, but for electrical and plumbing you need to be licensed.

I'd recommend you write down your scope of work, if you are moving walls or finishing the basement, sketch up some plans and go to the city to discuss. They will walk you through the process.

Subs will most likely ask you if you want permits pulled - a lot of new investors will say no, because it saves a few bucks and you don't have to call in and wait for inspection. The reality is you want permits pulled. Number one, where else can you get someone qualified to check your contractors work for $60. Number two, if you do a little work without pulling permits you will worry later that the inspector is going to ask you about it, so you have to continue to work without permits. Finally, it's also a liability issue - as a landlord you want to have solid records. Just imagine you have a fire and turns out there was electrical work done and no permits are on file...

A word about dealing with Milwaukee city inspectors; you will hear a lot of bad stories. You should know that these inspectors have to put up with a lot of BS and a lot of times treated with some open or hidden hostility. No wonder they get crabby. Make it a point to appreciate them comming out, ask them for advice and for their opinion on things. You can learn a lot and you will see it's going to be a much smoother process.