News
MEMORANDUM 
January 4, 2011
To All Contractors in
RE: Proposed Meeting with the City of
We are planning a meeting with the City of
During the past few years, several contractors expressed their frustrations with several cities with regard to the length of time necessary that plans review takes to perform their reviews, zoning, building, structural, fire, mechanical, electrical and plumbing before issuing a permit for construction.
For example, a simple Kitchen renovation inside a condo unit is taking two months for plan review. The permit has not been issued causing the unit owner to face construction delays, and the contractor lost time, delay in schedule and revenue. The city charges permit fees and receives revenue from taxes. The delay in issuing a building permit which delays the construction and contractors work negatively affects business for the contractor’s, frustrations by the owners, and delays in construction.
This delay also has a negative effect on the overall construction industry in that construction and infrastructure is delayed, causing delay in revenue including tax revenues the economy is recovering from recession, numerous businesses including contractors, engineers and Architects are out of business. The remaining survivors are trying to make it in the construction industry, and are fighting for the few jobs that are available in the market. Therefore, when Architects and Engineers generate construction drawings for permits, the contractors are delayed due to delays in permits, since construction and inspections will not commence until a permit is issued.
Also, this delay in permit processing is forcing many homeowners to hire unlicensed contractors who in turn are performing construction illegally without any permits or inspections. Such unlicensed contractors and homeowners are taking a risk, in exchange for delays and faster construction. Thus, the Building departments not only loosing revenues from unrealized permit fees, but the decrease in permits will also decrease the need for city inspections, causing downsizing and possibly layoffs in city staff and inspectors. Construction by unlicensed contractors may be non compliant with the FBC or substandard which could be detrimental for the life and safety of homeowners.
The preliminary outline for the meeting includes the following:
1. Permit review process and causes for delays;
2. Architectural and Engineering drawings, completeness and compliance with the Florida Building Code;
3. Home owner awareness and familiarity with the construction industry, licensed contractors and Florida Building Code;
4. Qualifications of city personnel including plans review, chief and junior inspectors, cooperation between city personnel and design professionals and working as a team;
5. Qualifications of licensed general contractors including all trades ( concrete, Demo, restoration and interior remodeling, Block and Unit Masonry, carpenters, mechanics, steel contractors, electrical and mechanical contractors, fire contractors, Acoustics and landscape contractors;
6. Develop ways to limit the time allotted for plans review and permit issuance, ( City comments and ways to expedite review comments and response from design professionals;
7. Communications between city personnel and contractors;
8. City inspections and time schedule
Any suggestions or feed back from you will be considered and added to the outline above prior to meeting with city officials.
Thank you for your time and hope to make a difference in our city for the New 2011 Year.
Sincerely,
Chaiban Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Joseph B. Chaiban, P.E., SI.MBA.
Managing Partner
