Houses are expensive, there’s no doubt about it, and it’s infuriating for many millennials looking to purchase their first home. Many hidden costs drive up the price of homes, one of which is permit delays.

Permit delays add an average of six-and-a-half months to the time it takes to build a new home and more than $26,000 to the final price.

Why do we need permits?

Local governments require building permits to ensure projects comply with local rules for land use, zoning and construction. Ensuring compliance with these rules is important to make sure your home is safe and that you can sell it down the road. 

However, obtaining a permit takes much longer than it should. A process that should take only a couple of weeks can take several months or even up to two years in many cities and counties. In the current housing market, every extra day a builder waits for a permit to build brings increased costs in materials, financing, labor, and more. 

Let’s fix this

There are several changes local governments can make to expedite the permitting process and reduce permit delays. 

• Better technology

Permitting technology that increases automation and reduces review time without sacrificing standards would help local governments take time off the permit process. Permits designed by licensed and insured architects and engineers could be put on a fast track. 

• Trusting the experts

Permits designed by licensed and insured architects and engineers could be put on a fast track.

• One stop for questions

Offering one point of contact to help people with permitting questions could go a long way in easing confusion and cutting down permit delays. 

• Help everyone

Permit application documents should be offered in multiple languages to service those whose primary language is not English. 

Together we have the power to change things and reduce permit delays. Join the fight by signing up to receive the Cut The Costs Action Plan with 10 easy steps you can take to help provide equal access to homeownership.