If you work in construction, you deal with building permits every day. But most contractors think of permits as paperwork — something the city makes you do before you can start work.
What they don't realize is that building permits are also one of the best tools for finding work.
What is a building permit?
A building permit is an official approval from a local government that authorizes construction, renovation, demolition, or other work on a property. The permit ensures the work meets local building codes, zoning requirements, and safety standards.
What information does a building permit contain?
Every permit filed with a city becomes a public record. Depending on the jurisdiction, a permit typically includes:
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Address | Where the work is happening |
| Permit type | What kind of work (building, electrical, plumbing, roofing, solar) |
| Description | Plain-English description of the project scope |
| Estimated valuation | How much the project is worth |
| Applicant name | Who filed the permit (homeowner, GC, or architect) |
| Contractor name | The licensed contractor on file |
| Owner name | The property owner |
| Filing date | When the application was submitted |
| Issue date | When the permit was approved |
| Status | Current status (filed, issued, expired, etc.) |
Why permits matter for finding work
Here's the key insight: when someone files a building permit, they've already decided to do the project. They're not "just browsing." They've committed time, money, and paperwork.
If the permit shows an applicant name but no contractor, the homeowner may still be looking for someone to do the work. If the permit is for a type of work you do — and you see it before your competitors — you have a first-mover advantage.
How contractors use permit data
Subcontractors watch for permits filed by general contractors. A GC pulling a large building permit will need electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, roofers, and other subs. Reaching out early — "I saw you pulled a permit at 123 Main Street, do you need an electrician on that job?" — is a warm approach.
Specialty contractors (roofers, solar, HVAC) watch for permits in their trade. A re-roofing permit means someone needs a roofer — and they may not have one yet.
General contractors watch for high-valuation permits filed by homeowners or architects. These are projects that need a GC to manage.
Real estate investors watch for permit clusters in specific neighborhoods — rising permit activity often signals property value appreciation.
How to access permit data
Every city publishes permits differently. Some use Socrata (SF, Austin, Chicago, LA), some use ArcGIS (Columbus, DC), and some use custom CKAN portals (Boston, Pittsburgh).
Checking each portal manually is possible but time-consuming. For automated monitoring, The Permit Sheet scrapes 10 city databases every 10 minutes and delivers matching permits via email.
Start monitoring permits for free — 1 alert, 1 city, no credit card.