When do you actually need permits for interior painting jobs?
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BrushStrokeBoss
·1mo·92 replies·92 participants
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BrushStrokeBoss👑 LegendOP1mo
216
Man, I'm so over dealing with all this permit BS just to slap some Benjamin Moore Advance on a few walls. Been doing this in the Carolinas for 10 years now, and half the time homeowners don't even mention it until the city's sniffing around after we finish. Last week I quoted a full interior repaint on a 2,000 sq ft house, using Sherwin-Williams Emerald for the trim, and the inspector shows up wanting paperwork because we were touching up some electrical boxes. Saw a thread on r/paintingbusiness where guys were venting about similar crap, and someone in the Painting Contractors Facebook group said to always build a permit clause into contracts. It's like, do we really need this for every damn job, or just the big commercial ones? Feels like the red tape is killing small outfits like mine.
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RodentRidder👑 Legend1mo
39
Only if you're doing any structural work or rewiring, otherwise skip it for basic interiors.
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LockPickLarry5⭐ Expert1mo
39
Nah, in my area even trim work around outlets can trigger it if the inspector is picky.
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NotAnElectrician18🏆 Master1mo
35
Exactly, had a job where we just painted over old outlets and got fined $500 for no permit.
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RoofRat4⭐ Expert1mo
38
That's BS, always check local codes first.
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TileTerror10⭐ Expert1mo
42
I make a killing quoting permits into every job over 1,500 sq ft.
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RollerRage🏆 Master1mo
46
Smart move, clients eat the cost and you stay legal.
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HueHustler3⭐ Expert1mo
26
Clients hate it, but yeah, covers your ass.
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FloorKing99⭐ Expert1mo
38
Permits are a scam, doubled my costs on a simple repaint last month.
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BoxHauler3🏆 Master1mo
72
Same, city wanted $200 just to look at our drop cloths.
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WipeOutPro⭐ Expert1mo
90
FML, that's ridiculous.
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FrameFailer⭐ Expert1mo
41
Fight them in small claims, I won once.
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RustyNails3⭐ Expert1mo
34
Build it into your flat rate from the start.
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CoilCleaner🏆 Master1mo
36
Good advice, saved me headaches.
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WattTheHeck29👑 Legend1mo
35
Just had a client refuse to pay the permit fee, now the job's on hold.
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WireWizardWalt👑 Legend1mo
37
Screw that, walk away.
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WireWhisperer4🏆 Master1mo
8
In commercial gigs, permits are non-negotiable, but residential? Often optional if no demo.
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DoorOpenerDave⭐ Expert1mo
28
True, but one bad inspector ruins your day.
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PipeDreamer13⭐ Expert1mo
47
Happened to me twice this year.
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ShingleShark4⭐ Expert1mo
37
Always get it in writing who's paying.
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SawdustSavant8⭐ Expert1mo
37
We always include a line in contracts: 'Client responsible for any required permits.'
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FlashingFiend🏆 Master1mo
52
Permits for painting? Only if you're idiots who mess with lead paint in old houses.
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SewerSurfer2⭐ Expert1mo
51
Lead abatement does require it, EPA rules.
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JointJockey⭐ Expert1mo
53
Upcharged $300 for a permit on a kitchen cabinet refinish job.
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LawnLizard2⭐ Expert1mo
39
Nice, I need to do that.
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CircuitScreamer👑 Legend1mo
50
Don't forget the Sherwin-Williams disclosure forms too.
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CoolCatCraig⭐ Expert1mo
22
Sucks, but it's the law.
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DoorJamJam⭐ Expert1mo
30
Law or not, it's a money grab.
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PipeLord42026⭐ Expert1mo
54
Hate this part of the job, just wanna paint.
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CastIronKiller🏆 Master1mo
38
Me too, paperwork is the worst.
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FloorFitterFred2⭐ Expert1mo
33
Add a contingency fee, 5% for permits.
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DuctTapeDynamo⭐ Expert1mo
32
Finally got a template contract that covers this from the Painting Contractors group.
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BenderBreaker⭐ Expert1mo
5
Share it?
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WeedWhacker2⭐ Expert1mo
23
Permits killed a $4k job for me last summer.
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JackOfAllTrades3🏆 Master1mo
47
In my contracts, it's client's duty to pull permits.
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HueMaster⭐ Expert1mo
39
They never do, then blame you.
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SpringSpecialist3👑 Legend1mo
31
I push back hard on permit costs.
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NotAnElectrician21🏆 Master1mo
94
Haha, good luck with that.
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FlooringFiasco2🏆 Master1mo
41
Seriously, inspectors don't care.
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SawdustSavant28🏆 Master1mo
36
Proud to say I've dodged permits on 20+ interiors this year, no issues.
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ChillMaster6👑 Legend1mo
33
Risky but works.
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DirtBagDan3🏆 Master1mo
40
Walked into a permit nightmare on a historic home repaint.
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PlumbDumb🏆 Master29d
31
Same here, old houses are the devil.
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TenYearVet21⭐ Expert28d
45
Use AIA contract templates, they have permit sections.
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SpringSpecialist⭐ Expert28d
46
Solid rec.
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BrushStrokeBoss11🏆 Master27d
48
We've hit 6 figures without major permit fights by quoting accurately.
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GreenThumbGuy⭐ Expert27d
33
Feeling your pain, bureaucracy sucks.
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KeyKeeper⭐ Expert26d
51
Just got screwed on a no-permit job that turned into a fine.
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DustBusterDave👑 Legend26d
53
Clients always think painting is permit-free.
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HandyHank⭐ Expert25d
27
Educate them upfront.
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CircuitSavant3🏆 Master24d
30
Add it to your scope of work document.
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PipeLord42010⭐ Expert24d
37
This is why I hate commercial bids.
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SparkPlugSue6🏆 Master23d
50
Watched Idaho Painter's video on contract tips, helped a ton.
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VacuumVince🏆 Master23d
24
That guy's gold.
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SparkPlugSue⭐ Expert22d
34
FlushMaster2
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NotAnElectrician14⭐ Expert22d
46
Permits are for plumbers, not us painters.
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CleanFreak99⭐ Expert21d
37
Wish it was that simple.
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ACAvenger4🏆 Master21d
47
RollerRogue
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CircuitSnake👑 Legend20d
34
ShingleShark11
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AntAnnihilator👑 Legend19d
50
Always overbid for potential permit BS.
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ACAvenger4🏆 Master19d
44
Yeah, pads the profit.
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RodentRider⭐ Expert18d
27
In the Painters Lounge FB group, everyone says get everything permitted.
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FixItFelix2⭐ Expert17d
25
Disagree, too much hassle for small jobs.
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WrenchWanderer2⭐ Expert17d
27
Fight me on that.
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BugBlasterBen🏆 Master16d
54
Had a near miss with lead paint regs.
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TenYearVet11⭐ Expert16d
43
Don't skimp, get certified for it.
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WeedWarrior⭐ Expert15d
30
Cost me $800 in training.
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PalletPro🏆 Master15d
53
Proud of my zero-permit violation streak.
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ShingleShaman2⭐ Expert14d
28
Me too, 15 years clean.
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TenYearVet👑 Legend14d
41
Contracts should specify who handles permits clearly.
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SlateSlinger⭐ Expert13d
22
Client side always.
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HeatHustler⭐ Expert12d
37
JoltJester
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CircuitClown👑 Legend12d
48
WattTheHeck10
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ChillOutTech🏆 Master11d
32
PaintSplatterPat4
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BeamBoss2⭐ Expert10d
35
SweepSquad
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LeakHunter⭐ Expert10d
27
DuctTapeDave4
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HammerHeadHal⭐ Expert9d
43
DuctDoctor8
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SawdustSavant24🏆 Master9d
24
Never had an issue without them.
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WireWhiz🏆 Master8d
42
Lucky you.
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BoardBenderBob🏆 Master8d
55
Frustrated with city hall every time.
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DirtBagLandscaper6👑 Legend7d
90
Same, total BS.
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BoltBrain⭐ Expert6d
36
MoveItMuscle
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FurnitureFury2⭐ Expert6d
29
LiftAndShift3
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BeamBoss3⭐ Expert5d
27
AirFlowAce
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RoofRat5👑 Legend5d
30
BroomBandit
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CircuitSurfer4⭐ Expert4d
32
HammerTimePro3
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NotAnElectrician15⭐ Expert4d
47
MopAndGloGuy
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SparkPlugGuy2⭐ Expert3d
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CastIronKiller
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SparkPlugSue4🏆 Master2d
32
DeadboltDave
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CleanFreakCindy⭐ Expert2d
50
RollMaster
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NailBiterCarp🏆 Master1d
45
RollerRanger9
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PanelPusher6⭐ Expert1d
53
NailGunNinja5
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HardwoodHero4⭐ Expert14h
10
SharkBites are trash for plumbing, but for painting? Permits are the real enemy.
