Can a new contractor take over our old one's permit?

Question

We found a contractor who submitted our plans to Philadelphia L&I for a permit. After 21 day review, the permit is ready for pick-up and initial inspection, but things have gone bad with this contractor on another project (he's now breached both contracts timelines by a longshot). I'm wondering if the permit waiting for us at L&I is transferable to another contractor. Can I fire this guy and hire someone new to pick up the permit where we left off, or would I need to re-start the 21-day review process?

David Ross · Answer

They are transferrable. As the owner of the property you are able to pick up.

As for changing the designated GC, you submit a letter to L&I stating you are changing contractors to the plans examiner who handled the permit and they will change it for you.

The permits stick with the property, not with the owner or GC. Best of luck.

Mark Redmann · Answer

The old GC can pull his permit. I highly doubt they just change it for you. I dont know this for fact, but at the very least I would think the new GC would have to supply insurance info and licensure to L&I before anything is swapped. The insurance names the city as an additional insured. It covers the inspectors when they're walking through a house. If any of what David said is true, I would get your ducks in a row before firing the old GC. I guess you've had to do this @David Ross ? I've heard some stories, didn't know how true things were.

Matthew Paul · Answer

In my county , no . If the permit was issued in the contractors name . If the permit is issued in your name , yes .  But I would call the permit office directly and find out

David Ross · Answer

@Mark Redmann is correct - while the other GC could be named as I stated, they won't be able to pick up permits without their insurance and documentation.  Haha, no we haven't had to fire anyone, I've just had to update the named GC on a permit.

All this may be moot - if your GC submitted the plans then you'd may be better off from scratch. 21 days is nothing when finding the right team.

Then again @Jaclyn Garet If you go to the permit desk 10 times you may get 10 different answers. It's not easy when you're doing it remotely. Good luck.

Can a new contractor take over our old one's permit?

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