Use Cases
For Contractors

PermitZap for Contractors

Find opportunities, monitor competitors, and track market trends.

Key Benefits for Contractors

1. Lead Generation

Find matching projects before work begins.

Example Workflow:

  1. Create alert: "Plumbing work in Manhattan over $100K"
  2. Receive notifications when matching permits are filed
  3. Contact property owner or GC before bidding closes
  4. Win more projects with early outreach

Time Saved: 10+ hours/week

2. Competitive Intelligence

Monitor what your competitors are working on.

Example Workflow:

  1. Create alerts for competitor company names
  2. Track their project types and locations
  3. Analyze their market positioning
  4. Identify markets they're targeting

Lead Time: 3-6 months before construction starts

3. Market Expansion

Identify new markets for expansion.

Example Workflow:

  1. Filter permits by borough and job type
  2. Analyze where projects are concentrated
  3. Export data to map opportunity zones
  4. Target marketing to high-activity areas

Result: Data-driven expansion decisions

Common Use Cases

Specialty Contractors

Electrical Contractors

Alert: "Alterations requiring electrical work in Brooklyn over $50K"

Why it works:

  • Catches projects before they're bid
  • Filters out residential under your minimum
  • Focuses on your service area

HVAC Contractors

Alert: "New buildings in NYC with mechanical systems over $100K"

Why it works:

  • New buildings always need HVAC
  • Cost filter ensures project size fits
  • Early notification for design-build opportunities

Plumbing Contractors

Alert: "Commercial alterations in Manhattan requiring plumbing work"

Why it works:

  • Targets commercial (higher margins)
  • Location-specific to service area
  • Plumbing work explicitly mentioned

General Contractors

Finding Projects

Alert: "New buildings in Brooklyn and Queens over $5M"

Analysis:

  • Track large-scale projects
  • Multi-borough coverage
  • Cost filter ensures suitable project size

Monitoring Subcontractor Opportunities

Search for permits by project type, then identify:

  • Which GCs are active
  • What trades are needed
  • Timeline for bidding

Renovation Specialists

Residential Renovations

Alert: "Residential alterations in Manhattan $100K-$500K"

Perfect for:

  • Mid-size renovation specialists
  • Targets residential only
  • Cost range matches your typical project

Commercial Fit-Outs

Alert: "Commercial alterations in Midtown and FiDi"

Perfect for:

  • Office build-out specialists
  • Geographic focus on business districts
  • Commercial-only targeting

Workflow Examples

Weekly Lead Generation Routine

Monday Morning (15 minutes):

  1. Check Matching Permits Timeline
  2. Review weekend alert matches
  3. Export new high-value leads
  4. Add to CRM for outreach

Result: 5-10 qualified leads per week

Competitive Analysis (Monthly)

Last Friday of Month (30 minutes):

  1. Search for top 3 competitors
  2. Export their recent permits
  3. Analyze project types and locations
  4. Update competitive intelligence report

Result: Stay informed on competitive landscape

Market Research (Quarterly)

First Week of Quarter (2 hours):

  1. Filter permits by your service area
  2. Group by neighborhood
  3. Identify trending project types
  4. Export for mapping and analysis

Result: Data-driven business development strategy

Advanced Strategies

Subcontractor Networking

Find Active GCs:

  1. Search for large projects in your area
  2. Note the general contractor names
  3. Reach out to introduce your services
  4. Track their future projects with alerts

Owner Direct Marketing

Target Property Owners:

  1. Filter permits by property type
  2. Export owner contact information
  3. Send targeted marketing materials
  4. Follow up as projects progress

Permit Expediting Services

For Expediters:

  1. Monitor permits stuck in review
  2. Identify properties with multiple filings
  3. Offer expediting services to owners
  4. Track success rate by filing type

Integration with Your Tools

CRM Integration (Premium)

Use webhook notifications to:

  1. Auto-create leads in your CRM
  2. Trigger email sequences
  3. Assign leads to sales team
  4. Track conversion metrics

Project Management

Export permit data to:

  1. Import into project management software
  2. Create preliminary schedules
  3. Track pipeline value
  4. Forecast resource needs

Success Metrics

Track these KPIs to measure PermitZap ROI:

Lead Quality

  • Conversion Rate: % of leads that become quotes
  • Win Rate: % of quotes that become projects
  • Average Project Value: Ensure leads match your target size

Time Savings

  • Hours Saved: Time not spent on manual searches
  • Earlier Outreach: Days/weeks earlier than competitors
  • Response Rate: Owner response to early contact

Market Intelligence

  • Competitor Activity: Projects tracked per competitor
  • Market Trends: Emerging neighborhoods or project types
  • Forecast Accuracy: Ability to predict busy periods

Tips for Maximum ROI

1. Be Specific with Alerts

Bad: "Construction projects in NYC" Good: "Commercial alterations in Midtown requiring HVAC over $200K"

2. Check Alerts Daily

Morning routine:

  • Review new matches (5 min)
  • Export high-priority leads (2 min)
  • Update CRM (3 min)

Total: 10 minutes per day for consistent lead flow

3. Track Your Success

Create a simple spreadsheet:

  • Source: PermitZap
  • Date Found
  • Project Address
  • Status (contacted, quoted, won/lost)
  • Value

Measure ROI monthly.

4. Combine with Other Intel

Use PermitZap data with:

  • Department of Buildings complaints
  • Property sales records
  • Neighborhood development plans
  • Economic development zones

5. Build Relationships Early

Don't wait for RFP:

  1. Contact owner when filing happens
  2. Offer pre-design consulting
  3. Stay in touch during DOB review
  4. Be top-of-mind when bidding opens

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too Broad Alerts

  • Creates noise and missed opportunities
  • Refine with location, cost, or type filters

❌ Not Checking Daily

  • Competitors may reach out first
  • Early contact wins more projects

❌ Ignoring Match Reasons

  • AI explains why each permit matched
  • Use this to qualify leads faster

❌ Not Tracking ROI

  • Can't justify subscription without metrics
  • Track wins and calculate value

Real-World Example

ABC Plumbing (Brooklyn)

Before PermitZap:

  • 15 hours/week searching DOB website
  • 2-3 leads per week
  • Always behind competitors

With PermitZap:

  • 10 minutes/day checking alerts
  • 8-10 qualified leads per week
  • First to contact owners 80% of time
  • 25% increase in project wins
  • ROI: 15x subscription cost in 3 months

Their Setup:

  • Alert 1: "Plumbing work in Brooklyn $50K-$500K"
  • Alert 2: "New buildings in Brooklyn requiring mechanical"
  • Alert 3: "Projects by [Top 3 Competitors]"

Getting Started

  1. Sign up for PermitZap (opens in a new tab)
  2. Create your first alert
  3. Set up daily email digest
  4. Track your leads in CRM
  5. Measure ROI after 30 days

Ready to find more leads? Create your first contractor alert →

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