Building permits

You yourself can apply for a permit as as owner-builder and then hire a project manager who reports to you  to oversee the job. This protects you in case you need to fire the contractor. The job will go on with a new contractor and you will control the master permit and sub permits without having an incompetent contractor holding your job as hostage.

@lenausa89 yes its the engineer.

You can have the engineer apply and take the permit out in your name, the owner's name. As mentioned in the prior reply, having the permits in the homeowner's name protects you if you have issues with the contractor or if your contractor does not complete the job.

I  had the Engineer do it   i  wish i had known prior that i could of had  taken it out in my name   although i have a good contractor   🙂

You can also have an independent agent request the permits in your name. They often charge less than engineers for the service, and in fact, many of these agents work for several engineers, who add an additional fee to that cost. Two factors are key in finding such an agent: local contacts and referrals. The best of these agents have developed contacts in government agencies that help them expedite steps, usually at the local (municipal) level. So it's often better to hire an agent who lives close to the construction site rather than simply choosing someone from San Juan. And make sure to ask for referrals, meaning who the agent has worked with/for. The good ones can give you a handful of names as references, and you would do well to verify them.  As with any service hire, "buyer beware", but patience and diligence will be amply rewarded.

@GCSchmidt12

Are you talking about a plans expediter?

@GCSchmidt12

tbank you so much

@judyvillacis thank you Judy

@rrosar36 thank you so much

@saysme  thank you so much

@saysme  thank you so much

@GCSchmidt12 i used one of the agents to pay for my arbitrios.  She was wonderful and charged 75.00.

I  will use her again to set up my water and electricity 

The local term is "gestor" or "gestora", essentially an expediter. The major benefit is in saving time, as these specialists can complete a process that might take days in hours. Given the somewhat Byzantine nature of local procedures (multiple offices that need to be visited, unclear online processes, almost zero tolerance for exceptions, etc.), the investment is usually well worth it

Oh, same deal as in the states. Yes, we call them expediters in English. They save you from the hell on earth that results from pulling any permit anywhere.

@GCSchmidt12 perfect thank uiu

@judyvillacis hello which side of the island are you located? I am moving to the Western side but would like to get the name of the agent you used. If you wouldn't mind sharing the info.

here you go 

i separated the number so it doesn't get blocked 

Em ail: ***

***

Miriam Tirado

@kbarretoct  im at the north side  Camuy

here you go

i separated the number so it doesn't get blocked

Em ail: ***

***

Miriam Tirado

I believe shes in Aguadilla

good luck