Was this without permits?

Trolling is not permitted on the forums.

Sure, section 8 sometimes pays above market, but good luck trying to get anything out of the case workers. 

I have a written office policy manual that explicitly permits my employees and sales agents to carry at their discretion.

A good way to avoid this in this future is to use a vendor worksheet/package that request the pertinent contact information along with a document request for the filed out W-9, copy of business license, Worker comp and liability insurance certificates.

@Fahima Hilal an architect usually only outlines mechanicals, plumbing & electrical on their blueprints.Your contracts should be creating appropriate drawings showing where their stuff would go and submit to city with their permit application.

I've even heard of GCs using auction type settings for returned items at Home Depot and Lowes for steep discounts.I've learned a lot about the GC game as I was up close to over 40 projects last two years and some went well and some did not and when they did not it was all Contractor related.If a GC isn't sourcing cheap materials at the same time milking the hell out of his 150-200 per day workers, then you can find yourself eating into your margins real fast. 

@Alaas Amour check with city building/rental dept to see if any outstanding permits.

Also, you may need to check regarding any permits you may need.

Regulations include NIMBYism, slow permitting, over permitting, zoning that has not been brought to current demands, etc.