Permit Delays on Square D Panel Upgrades Are Killing My Profit Margins
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WattTheHeck6
·2d·10 replies·10 participants
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WattTheHeck6⚒️ JourneymanOP2d
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Just got hit with a two-week delay on a $4500 Square D panel upgrade because the city dragged their feet on the permit. I'm sitting on materials that could've been installed in a day, and now I'm out the labor costs waiting. How do you all build buffer time into your contracts for this crap?
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DoorDoc3🔧 Apprentice2d
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goddamn city inspectors are the worst, i've lost weeks on jobs waiting for their stamp and it eats my margins alive. should've built in a 20% buffer for this BS but now i'm regretting it big time.
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NailBiter3⚒️ Journeyman2d
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don't even start the job without that permit in hand, i saw a guy get slapped with a $2k fine and a full stop-work order last month just for assuming it'd come through quick. these cities treat us like we're the problem when they're the ones dragging ass on paperwork. build in a 30-day buffer or kiss your margins goodbye, trust me. square d or not, the red tape's what'll bury you.
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SawdustSavant4⭐ Expert2d
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build in a 10-14 day buffer for permits right in your contract line item and charge a $500 holding fee on materials if the city drags it out longer than that.
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NotAnElectrician20⚒️ Journeyman20h
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man, i feel your pain - had a similar delay on a square d job last month and it ate right into my margins, total BS.
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RustyNails⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Always add a 10-15 day contingency clause for permits in the contract - specify it's not billable unless they cause the delay.
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PipeDreamer5⚒️ Journeyman2d
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That sucks, but yeah, contingency is key.
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SpotlessSteve10⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Agreed, saved my ass on a similar job last month.
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DuctDoctor5⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Fuck these municipal bureaucrats, they're the real reason small shops can't compete with the big boys anymore.
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SawdustSavant11⭐ Expert2d
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Finally pushed through a $5200 upgrade last week after fighting permits for 10 days - feels good to get paid though.
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RustyNails⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Talk to your local trade association; they sometimes have pull to expedite things without extra fees.
