The short version
On every job that requires a permit, we are the licensed contractor of record. We pull the permit, pay the fee at cost (pass through on your invoice), coordinate the inspection schedule with the AHJ, meet the inspector on site, address any inspector items same-day where possible, and hand you the signed-off closeout paperwork for your records.
You do nothing.
Step-by-step
1. Determine the AHJ
We look up your address to confirm which jurisdiction has authority over the work — Walworth County, a specific town within Walworth (Lake Geneva, East Troy, Linn, Williams Bay), Waukesha County, Waukesha municipalities, Racine County, or Racine municipalities. The AHJ for an East Troy home is different from a Lake Geneva home; Williams Bay has its own building department.
2. File the permit
We file the permit application with the AHJ as the licensed contractor of record. The application includes:
- Our Wisconsin contractor license number.
- The on-site responsible licensee (master plumber, HVAC contractor, or master electrician depending on the work).
- Scope of work.
- Equipment specs (model numbers, fuel type, capacity).
- Site plan or schematic where required.
Typical AHJ turnaround on permit issuance: [verify: 1-5 business days in our service area; same-day on simple residential permits at some jurisdictions].
3. Pay the fee at cost
The permit fee is whatever the AHJ charges. It appears as a separate line on your invoice, exactly what we paid the AHJ. We don't mark up permit fees.
4. Do the work
Per the approved scope, by our licensed technicians.
5. Schedule the inspection
Once work is at the inspectable point (rough-in for plumbing, final for most HVAC, separate rough + final for electrical), we call the inspector and schedule the visit. Inspection lead-time is typically [verify: 1-7 business days depending on AHJ and season; summer is slower than winter].
6. Meet the inspector on site
A licensed O'Leary technician meets the inspector at your house and walks them through the work. If the inspector flags an item, we address it same-day where possible. If a re-inspection is needed, we schedule it.
You do not have to be home for the inspection. We coordinate access with you in advance.
7. Receive the closeout
Once inspection passes, the AHJ marks the permit closed. We obtain a copy of the signed-off permit and deliver it to you in your final project paperwork. Save it — your insurer and any future buyer will want it.
What this is worth to you
- You avoid the time + complication of dealing with the AHJ yourself.
- Your project is on the official record, protecting your insurance.
- Your closing if you sell goes smoother.
- Your manufacturer warranties hold up.
- Most importantly — the inspectors second-set-of-eyes catches anything we missed.
What it costs
Just the AHJs permit fee, passed through on the invoice. Were not charging extra for permit handling — its part of how we work.
Action
- Schedule any job and the permit handling is automatic.
- Read the permits pillar for the full picture of which work triggers a permit.
