Permits
Permit requirements are fragmented and locality-specific - most delays come from not knowing what's required before you apply.
Homeowners and small contractors navigating a renovation, ADU, or business permit for the first time.
Permit expediters commonly charge $500-$2,000 for legwork that's mostly about knowing what to ask for.
Requirements are set locality by locality, so the starting point is always your specific city or county's building department - what needs a permit in one jurisdiction may not in another, even for similar work.
Unpermitted work can lead to fines, forced removal of the work, and complications selling the property later, since it typically has to be disclosed or resolved before closing.
It varies widely by jurisdiction and project type - some simple permits are approved within days, while others involving inspections or plan review can take weeks. Most delays come from incomplete applications, not the review itself.
Once a project involves multiple overlapping permits or a jurisdiction known for a slow, complex process, an expediter's familiarity with that specific office can be worth the fee - for a single straightforward permit, it's often unnecessary.