I own a gutted house and I want to GC the rehab myself

[Anthony Theokary]

Hi all I have a few questions and hope you can help me along the way. I own a 2 story house in South Philly and it’s fully gutted. I am putting a 3rd floor on and already have my zoning permits and waiting on construction plans. I DO NOT have my GC license. I want to know what I can do as the homeowner as far as pulling permits for all the work? Do I need my license?  If anyone can help me with this question please let me know.

[Stuart Udis]

@Anthony Theokary Directly from the Philaelphia L&I website:  

A licensed Philadelphia contractor must perform the work, except for projects on an existing one-or-two-family home that don’t require an electrical or plumbing permit.

The scope of work you are performing goes far beyond the limited exception which falls within the EZ permit standards. A 3rd floor addition will not only have structural modifications, but also require mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits. May I ask what motivates you to pull your own buildong permit? Adding a 3rd floor onto a building is far more complicated than most beleive. Unless you have a strong construction background, I highly recommend you do not undertake this work on your own.