Why Contractors Charge Permit Fees (& What Our $225 Permit Fee Covers)

If you’re scheduling a project with us, you’ll notice a $225 permit fee listed in our pricing.

That naturally raises a question many homeowners ask:

“Why is the permit fee $225 if the county permit itself costs less?”

It’s a fair question—and we believe in being completely transparent about how this works.

Let’s break it down.

Not sure if your project requires a permit?
Call or text (813) 672-4084 and we’ll help you understand what’s required.  

What the County Actually Charges

For most projects like this, the county permit itself costs about $130.

That fee goes directly to the county and covers the official permit required for the work as well as the inspection that verifies the project meets local building codes.

But getting the permit approved and coordinating the inspection involves more than just paying that fee.

What the Remaining Fee Covers

The rest of the $225 permit fee covers the administrative work required to manage the permit and inspection process for you.

That includes:

• Preparing and submitting permit paperwork
• Pulling the permit from the county
• Communicating with the permitting office
• Scheduling the required inspection
• Coordinating with inspectors if needed
• Ensuring everything passes so the project is officially completed

In short, we handle the entire process so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork, scheduling, and county coordination.

Can You Pull the Permit Yourself to Save Money?

Yes, technically you can.

Homeowners are allowed to apply for permits themselves through the county. If you chose to do that, you would only pay the county’s permit cost (about $130).

However, the process typically involves:

• Filling out and submitting the correct paperwork
• Communicating directly with the county permitting office
• Scheduling the inspection
• Coordinating any follow-up inspections if adjustments are required

Because of this, most homeowners prefer that we manage the process so the project moves forward smoothly and stays on schedule.

Looking for ways to save money on your project?  Read our blog post: How Can I Save Money on My Electrical Work?  (Let's Talk Honestly)

Why We Handle Permits for Our Customers

Permits and inspections are required to make sure the work meets county codes and safety standards.

By managing the permit process ourselves, we can:

• Keep the project timeline moving
• Ensure all paperwork is correct
• Coordinate inspections efficiently
• Handle any communication with the county

It’s simply one less thing you have to worry about during the project.

Wondering if you need a permit for your upcoming panel change?  You may be interested in: Do I Need a Permit to Replace My Electrical Panel?

Permit Fee & Inspection Info

Permit Fee: $225 (due at scheduling)

Why the fee is $225:
The county permit costs approximately $130. The remaining portion covers the time it takes to prepare paperwork, pull the permit, communicate with the county, and coordinate the required inspection.

Inspection:
This project requires a county inspection, which we handle from start to finish.

The Bottom Line

You’re welcome to arrange the permit yourself if you’d like to save the administrative portion of the fee.

But most homeowners prefer that we handle it so the project runs smoothly and the inspection process is taken care of from start to finish.

Our goal is simple:

Make the process as easy and stress-free for you as possible.

Have questions about permits or inspections?
Call us at (813) 672-4084 and we’ll let you know what’s required for your project.