Permits, insurance, and written contracts

Permits protect the project record

Permit requirements depend on the property, jurisdiction, and scope. Confirm requirements before work begins and make sure the responsible contractor is correctly identified on the application.

Keep permit numbers, inspection results, approved plans, and closeout records with your project documents.

Insurance dates are only a snapshot

The directory reflects dates in the county source report. Policies can change, cancel, or be replaced. For larger or higher-risk projects, request current certificates and verify them independently.

Put the essential terms in writing

A clear contract helps both parties understand what is included, when payment is due, and how changes will be handled.

• Legal business name, address, qualifier, and license numbers
• Detailed scope, plans, specifications, and exclusions
• Start conditions, estimated duration, and completion terms
• Payment milestones and change-order approval process
• Permit, inspection, cleanup, and disposal responsibilities
• Warranty language and final closeout documents