Identify the responsible party
Read the agreement, general conditions, bid instructions, and scope packages for permit obligations. Separate the main building permit from trade permits, utility fees, impact fees, testing, reinspection, and temporary occupancy requirements. Record whether each item is included, excluded, owner-paid, or pending clarification.
Do not use a generic permit percentage when the responsibility is expressly assigned. Use the estimate approval matrix as a related estimate control.
Verify the fee basis
Use the governing jurisdiction's published schedule when available and save the effective date, valuation basis, project classification, and calculation. Connect uncertain amounts to the construction estimate approval matrix before they are carried as assumptions.
The local government source should be the primary authority for a jurisdictional fee. Confirm applicability with the project team because public schedules can contain exceptions or separate departmental charges.
| Review field | Required record |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Permit, fee, or inspection |
| Authority | Contract or jurisdiction source |
| Responsibility | Owner, contractor, or trade |
| Estimate treatment | Amount, exclusion, or pending |
Reconcile across packages
Compare general contractor costs with subcontractor proposals to find duplicate trade permits or missing inspections. Check bonds, plan review deposits, and refundable amounts separately.
Show any non-cost administrative obligation even when the fee is owner-paid. Place unresolved responsibilities in the estimate scope boundary notes so the final proposal states the intended treatment.
