Why Is My Permit Taking So Long? Diagnosing (and Fixing) a Stalled Application in South Florida
The most common call we get is not “how do I apply” — it is “I applied months ago and nothing is happening.” A stalled permit always has a reason, and finding it is usually a twenty-minute investigation in the jurisdiction’s online portal. Here is the diagnostic checklist we run, in order. 1. Comments Are […]
Solar Panel Permits in South Florida: What Installation Really Requires
Solar is booming across South Florida rooftops, and every one of those systems went through — or should have gone through — a permit process that touches structural, electrical, and utility review. Whether you are a homeowner comparing installer quotes or a contractor entering the market, here is what solar permitting involves in Miami-Dade, Broward, […]
Electrical and Plumbing Permits in South Florida: When Trade Work Needs Its Own Permit
Homeowners understand that an addition needs a permit. What surprises people is that the water heater, the panel upgrade, the new circuit for the EV charger, and the re-pipe each need permits too — trade permits, pulled by licensed electricians and plumbers, with their own inspections. Here is how trade permitting works in Miami-Dade, Broward, […]
Roof Replacement Permits in South Florida: Rules, Inspections, and Insurance Paperwork
A new roof is the most consequential permit most homeowners will ever pull: it protects everything under it, it is heavily regulated in our hurricane region, and the paperwork follows the house for decades, through insurance policies, wind mitigation discounts, and every future sale. Here is how roof replacement permitting works in Miami-Dade, Broward, and […]
Pool, Fence, and Screen Enclosure Permits in South Florida: What Needs Approval
Backyard projects feel informal, it is your yard, after all, but in South Florida the backyard is one of the most permit-intensive zones on the property. Pools, fences, and screen enclosures each carry their own permitting requirements, and each has a code angle that surprises homeowners. Here is what needs approval and why. Swimming Pools: […]
Demolition Permits in South Florida: Interior Demo, Partial Demo, and Full Teardowns
“It’s just demolition” is one of the more expensive sentences in South Florida construction. Whether you are gutting a kitchen, removing a wall, taking down a damaged structure, or clearing a lot for new construction, demolition is permitted work, and the requirements scale with what you are tearing down. Here is how demolition permits work […]
Do You Need a Permit for Impact Windows and Doors in South Florida? (Yes — Here’s How It Works)
Impact windows and doors are among the most popular upgrades in South Florida, for hurricane protection, insurance savings, noise reduction, and energy efficiency. They are also, without exception, permitted work. If a company tells you otherwise, walk away. Here is what the permit process for impact openings involves in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, […]
Owner-Builder Permits in Florida: What You Can Pull Yourself (and When You Shouldn’t)
Florida law lets homeowners act as their own contractor on certain projects, pulling what is called an owner-builder permit. It sounds like a money-saver, and sometimes it is. But the exemption comes with rules, personal liability, and practical headaches that catch many homeowners off guard. Here is what the owner-builder route really involves in South […]
Building Recertification in Miami-Dade and Broward: Milestone Inspections Explained
If you sit on a condo board or own an older building in South Florida, “recertification” and “milestone inspection” have probably entered your vocabulary in a hurry. These programs, expanded statewide after 2021, require aging buildings to prove they are structurally and electrically safe, and they come with real deadlines, engineering reports, and, frequently, permits […]
What Is a Notice of Commencement and When Do You Need One in Florida?
If you are undertaking a construction project in Florida, you have likely encountered the term “Notice of Commencement.” This important legal document is required for most permitted construction work, yet many property owners do not fully understand what it is or why it matters. Here is a complete explanation. What Is a Notice of Commencement? […]