Add or Change Contractor (Administrative Change)

Add or Change Contractor

(Administrative Change)

 

The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to notify the Department of Buildings that you are changing one or more of the contractors doing work under a plan-based building permit. You will receive a supplemental permit to document this change.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Eligible

  • Replacing an electrical contractor, general contractor, mason contractor, plumbing contractor, or other construction subcontractor with another valid contractor or subcontractor of the same type
  • Adding an additional electrical contractor, mason contractor, plumbing contractor, or other construction subcontractor to perform a clearly defined scope on an active building permit
  • Switching from a licensed general contractor or mason contractor to owner-as-contractor (where eligible)
  • Switching from a licensed plumbing contractor to owner-performed plumbing (where eligible)

Not Eligible

  • Adding a contractor on a suspended building permit (apply to reinstate the underlying permit first)
  • Removing a contractor without identifying a replacement
  • Having more than one contractor responsible for the same scope of work
  • Having more than one general contractor on the same project at the same time

Important Considerations

Notify the City first

If you replace a contractor or subcontractor or hire an additional subcontractor after the plan-based building permit for the project is issued, you must obtain a supplemental permit before the new contractor or subcontractor can begin work on the project. This applies to general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, mason contractors, and any other subcontractors that will be taking responsibility for scheduling permit inspections.

Only one general contractor

A project may have only one general contractor at a time.

Multiple licensed subcontractors of same type

If permitted work involves more than one Chicago-licensed subcontractor of the same type (plumbing, electrical, mason) then the scope of responsibility of each contractor must be clearly identified in the original application or application to add or change a contractor. The Building Commissioner may limit multiple contractors of the same type based on the scope of a project.

Subcontractors without trade-specific licenses (“Other Construction Subcontractor”)

Subcontractors performing a type of work that does not require a City of Chicago trade-specific license (for example a subcontractor performing HVAC work) must be listed on the original permit (or a supplemental permit) if that subcontractor will be responsible for scheduling permit inspections. (Otherwise, the general contractor must schedule the permit inspections.) The Building Commissioner may limit multiple subcontractors of the same type working on the same project based on the scope of a project.

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Administrative Change for further limitations on this type of permit.

Before You Apply

Verify that the new contractor or subcontractor will accept the work. After you submit the Express Permit Application and before your permit can be issued, each licensed contractor will be notified by email and must electronically accept being listed on the permit. If a contractor declines, you will need to pay another $25 review fee to continue.

It is a good idea to notify any contractor or subcontractor they are being removed, both orally and in writing before you apply for a permit to replace them.

You should also gather required documents (if any), select required contractors, and have their license or registration numbers before starting the online permit application. 

Required Documents

Most applications of this type do not require any documents to be uploaded.

Other construction subcontractor

For applications that include an additional applicant categorized as “Other Construction Subcontractor,” such as a subcontractor performing HVAC work, you must upload:

  • Subcontractor letter of intent

This letter must be on the subcontractor’s letterhead, be signed by a representative of the subcontractor, identify the project address and specific scope of work that the contractor will be performing (for example: “all HVAC work” or “gas fireplace installation”).

Project owned by a government entity

If the work to be permitted in being undertaken by or for a local, state, or federal government entity (such as Chicago Public Schools) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

If the government entity has a permit fee waiver ordinance, include a copy of that ordinance as part of this upload.

Project receiving construction funding from a government entity

If the work to be permitted or is receiving construction funding from a government entity (such as a Small Business Improvement Fund grant) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

The letter must be from the government entity providing the construction funding.

Property owner as general contractor, property owner as mason contractor, or property owner as plumber

If the property owner will be acting as general contractor or mason contractor or self-performing plumbing work, you must upload:

  • Owner as contractor form (Form 401)
  • Copy of government issued identification

The government issued identification must show that the property owner lives at the address where work will be performed.

Required Contractors

You will need to identify the contractor(s) being added and replaced. To ensure you add the correct contractor, know the contractor’s exact name or the contractor’s City of Chicago license number.

General Contractor

You can only replace an existing general contractor. You cannot have two general contractors for the same project at the same time.

General contractor licenses are classified from “Class A” to “Class E” with “Class A” being the highest. A general contractor can only be replaced with another general contractor with the same or higher license classification.

Electrical Contractor

You can either replace an existing electrical contractor or add an additional electrical contractor. If you are adding an additional electrical contractor, the scope of responsibility for each contractor must be clearly defined.

You cannot replace an electrical contractor (general) with an electrical contractor (low voltage).

For larger projects that involve “Class 1” electrical work, every person performing electrical work must meet the requirements for electrical workers on a “Class 1” project.

Mason Contractor

You can either replace an existing mason contractor or add an additional mason contractor. If you are adding an additional mason contractor, the scope of responsibility for each contractor must be clearly defined.

Mason contractors have 3 classifications: A (All work), B (Brick work), and C (Concrete work). Accordingly, a Class A mason contractor may be replaced with either a single Class A mason contractor or one Class B mason contractor and one Class C mason contractor. A Class B mason contractor may be replaced with either a Class A or Class B mason contractor. A Class C mason contractor may be replaced with a Class A or C mason contractor.

Plumbing Contractor

You can either replace an existing plumbing contractor or add an additional plumbing contractor. If you are adding an additional plumbing contractor, the scope of responsibility for each contractor must be clearly defined.

Other Construction Subcontractor

If a subcontractor will be taking responsibility for scheduling permit inspections (for example, a refrigeration or ventilation subcontractor), that subcontractor must be identified on the permit originally or added to the permit through the Express Permit Program (Administrative Change). In the Express Permit Program, subcontractors that do not have a trade-specific City of Chicago license must obtain a general contractor license in order to be listed on or added to a permit. These subcontractors are classified as “Other Construction Subcontractor.”

Ordinances and Rules

Municipal Code of Chicago, Chapter 4-36 (General contractors)

Municipal Code of Chicago, Chapter 4-290 (Electrical contractors)

Municipal Code of Chicago, Chapter 4-336 (Plumbing contractors)

Municipal Code of Chicago, Chapter 4-276 (Mason contractors)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-4-410.3 (Permits—Applications—Required information)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-12-1204.2 (Stand-alone permit fees)