What does a building permit expediter actually do?

An expediter knows local building codes, permit types and submission processes, and advises on the most efficient order in which to meet requirements. They estimate how long a permit or licence will take so the project team can schedule contractors, and serve as the single point of contact with the municipality, consolidating deliverables and passing on updates.

When is hiring a permit expediter worth it?

Burnham suggests researching directly with the municipality first, then calling if any of the following apply: an important deadline or tight schedule, a first renovation where it is unclear whether formal approvals are needed, an unfamiliar municipality or a complex project, a contractor or team that has not worked together before, or a multi-site rollout for a national brand where coordination is critical.

Permit expediters

Burnham Nationwide

Burnham Nationwide is a permit expediting and building code consulting firm that secures building permits and manages code compliance for commercial construction projects across the United States. Its work ranges from flagship retail and high-rise towers to mission-critical facilities such as data centers.

On a permit engagement, a project manager takes the lead with the municipality: reviewing submittal packages for completeness and accuracy, monitoring the plan review process, relaying required corrective measures to the project team, and acting as the single point of contact for the architect, owner, building manager or general contractor. Plans and supporting documents are archived in an online database that aligns with municipal portals. Beyond standard new construction and renovation permits, the firm handles licensing, multi-site commercial rollouts, land use and zoning, and public way services, and it says it pioneered phased permitting so teams can begin substructure and structural work while detailed design continues.

The firm also runs a building code consulting practice with licensed architects and code experts, plus ADA compliance review and continuing education. Its FAQ states that for the majority of typical projects, code consulting and land use review are included in a flat-rate price rather than billed as separate consultants.

Burnham opened in Chicago in 1992 and says it has over 30 years of experience; its site lists Chicago, New York, Denver, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Orlando. Fees are not published and municipal fees are separate, so ask for a written fee schedule and an estimated permit timeline for your jurisdiction.

Best for

Owners, architects and contractors with commercial projects in unfamiliar jurisdictions, multi-site rollouts, or tight schedules who need permits pulled and code questions resolved by a local specialist.

What they do

Building permit expediting
Building code consulting
ADA compliance review
Zoning and land use permitting
Public way permits
Licensing applications
Multi-site commercial permit programs
Phased permitting for complex projects

Details

Attribute	Value
Founded	1992
Other offices	New York, NY, Denver, CO, San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Dallas, TX, Orlando, FL

What stands out

Opened in Chicago in 1992 and says it has over 30 years in permit expediting.
Lists Chicago, New York, Denver, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Orlando.
Says code consulting and land use review are included in a flat-rate price for the majority of typical projects.
Says it pioneered phased permitting so construction can start while detailed design continues.
Archives project plans and documents in an online database aligned with municipal portals.

Common questions

What does a building permit expediter actually do?: An expediter knows local building codes, permit types and submission processes, and advises on the most efficient order in which to meet requirements. They estimate how long a permit or licence will take so the project team can schedule contractors, and serve as the single point of contact with the municipality, consolidating deliverables and passing on updates.
When is hiring a permit expediter worth it?: Burnham suggests researching directly with the municipality first, then calling if any of the following apply: an important deadline or tight schedule, a first renovation where it is unclear whether formal approvals are needed, an unfamiliar municipality or a complex project, a contractor or team that has not worked together before, or a multi-site rollout for a national brand where coordination is critical.