Owner/Builder Permitting: When Pulling Your Own Permit Makes Sense

Most solar companies bundle permitting invisibly into the price. We offer it both ways, and we think homeowners deserve to understand the difference.

The two paths

In contractor permitting, we pull the permit as contractor of record and pass city fees through at cost. You sign nothing at city hall; the timeline is ours to manage. In owner/builder permitting, you submit the permit yourself as the property owner. We prepare everything — the complete plan set, structural calculations, single-line diagrams, code compliance sheets — and walk you through each submission step. You pay the city directly and skip the middleman on fees.

What owner/builder really means

It isn't just paperwork: as owner/builder you're the permit holder under state law, which carries responsibilities — the work is inspected under your permit. For hands-on homeowners comfortable with a city counter visit or an online portal, it's very manageable, and the same professional plan set backs both paths. For homeowners who'd rather never think about it, contractor mode exists for a reason.

Either way, the plans are permit-ready

The plan set we produce — cover sheet, roof plan with fire setbacks, single-line diagram with calculations, attachment details, code signage — is the same engineering either way. The only question is whose name is on the application and who stands in line. Our proposals let you toggle between both modes and watch the pricing and timeline update live, so the decision is informed rather than default.