Key Points
- Building permits are required for residential remodeling projects that include structural changes, electrical work, plumbing changes, or mechanical system updates.
- Permit fees are formula-based and tied to square footage for residential remodels.
- Inspections happen at key stages—rough-in and final—and missing inspections can delay your project and trigger additional fees.
Paperwork Doesn’t Need to Derail Your Dream Remodel
When you’re investing in a remodel or new home build, shouldn’t you understand what’s happening with permits and inspections? Does your contractor handle all of this, or is there something you need to know upfront?
You’ll learn what building permits actually cover, how timelines and fees work, and what happens during inspections.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to ask the right questions and understand what your contractor is managing on your behalf when it comes to your home project.
See the home projects families in Midland and Odessa had us do for them.
Why Building Permits Matter For Your Remodel
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or whole-home update in Midland or Odessa, building permits aren’t optional paperwork—they’re essential. Permits protect you, your home, and your investment by ensuring the work meets local building codes and safety standards.
When obtaining permits in Midland and Odessa, the municipality documents your project, schedules required inspections at key stages, and verifies that electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is done safely.
This documentation also matters later: if you ever sell your home, buyers and lenders want to see that major work was permitted and inspected.
Without permits, you could face issues with financing, insurance claims, or property sales.
A residential remodeling project that includes structural changes, new electrical circuits, plumbing work, or mechanical system changes will require permits. Even smaller projects like adding a bathroom or reconfiguring a kitchen layout typically need them.
The building department wants to ensure the work is done right.
360° Construction takes full responsibility for handling all necessary permits, engineering, and inspections on every project, ensuring your work meets local requirements and runs smoothly.
Schedule a consultation with us.
What Your Permit Application Needs
The permitting process expects enough information for review—not just a vague description. Getting your application right the first time speeds everything up.
Your Written Application
A written application must be submitted to the administrative officer, containing information deemed necessary concerning the job, contractor, owner, and work to be performed. Call ahead and check what documents they want for your specific project—residential remodel, additions, or other work.
The application should clearly describe:
- What work is being done (kitchen remodel, bathroom addition, whole-home renovation, etc.).
- Where the work is located on your property.
- Who is doing the work (licensed contractor or homeowner).
- Estimated cost and timeline.
Required Plans And Sketches
Two sets of plans or sketches must be submitted showing the extent of proposed work.
These don’t need to be architectural drawings, but they should be clear enough for the building department to understand your scope.
- For a kitchen remodel, that might include a layout showing where appliances and fixtures will go.
- For a bathroom, it could be a simple sketch showing plumbing and electrical locations.
- For additions, more detailed plans showing dimensions, materials, and how the new space connects to the existing structure are needed.
Having organized, legible plans reduces back-and-forth.
360° Construction uses an in-house drafting team and design software to create detailed plans and 3D renderings that meet building department standards.
Understanding Building Permit Fees
Residential Building Permit Fee
Residential: $50.00 + $0.12 per square foot.
This is a formula-based permit fee, so square footage drives the permit cost.
In Midland, this fee structure applies whether you’re doing a small bathroom update or a larger whole-home remodeling project. If you’re remodeling a 200-square-foot kitchen, the building permit fee would be $50 + (200 × $0.12) = $74.
Additions, Remodels, And Finish Outs
Additions, remodels, and finish outs: $50.00 + $0.10 per square foot.
This fee line matches common remodeling work—kitchen work, bath updates, and interior reconfigurations.
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in Odessa or a bathroom renovation anywhere in the region, this is the fee structure that applies. A 300-square-foot remodel would cost $50 + (300 × $0.10) = $80.
Plan Review Fees
Plan review: 25% of permit fee applied at pick up.
This affects payment timing. You may pay a portion at pickup, so don’t wait until the last minute to have funds ready—especially if you’re coordinating multiple permits (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical).
How Permit Issuance Works
The Seven-Day Issuance Timeline
The administrative officer shall issue a permit within seven days after receipt of:
- A proper application.
- Permit fee.
- Proper bond and insurance certificates (if required).
- Plans that meet all requirements and applicable city and state law.
If you submit incomplete applications or missing documents, the clock doesn’t really start. Plan ahead and make sure everything is in order before you submit.
What You Receive Upon Approval
Upon approval, the administrative officer delivers the permit with one set of approved plans, indicating any required revisions, plus necessary grades and benchmarks.
Don’t treat “approved” as “unchanged.”
You may need to comply with revisions, and your construction team needs to build what was actually approved.
Keep that approved set of plans on the job site for reference.
Displaying Your Permit Placard
Placard Display Requirements
A placard containing prescribed information must be displayed at the work site in a conspicuous place for the duration of the permit.
This tells inspectors and neighbors that the work is authorized and being tracked.
Keeping the placard posted and accurate is part of staying clean through inspections and avoiding stop-work situations.
It is unlawful to exhibit the placard for work not covered by the permit, or to misrepresent information on it. This compliance detail feels small—until an inspector shows up.
Building Permit And Associated Fees
Reinspection Fees
Reinspection fee:
- First–second: $50.00.
- Third–fourth: $75.00.
- Fifth and above: $100.00.
Reinspections add cost and slow your timeline. If you’re juggling electricians, plumbers, and HVAC crews, one missed detail creates a chain reaction.
That’s why many homeowners choose a design-build contractor who can coordinate the inspection rhythm and get things right the first time.
Other Building Permit Fees
- Stop-work order release: $100.00 (inspector’s discretion).
- Temporary certificate of occupancy: $50.00.
- Extension: $25.00.
- Flood elevations certificate: $150.00.
Keep your paperwork tight, keep the permit placard posted, and don’t assume “nobody will notice.” A stop-work order can halt your entire project if work doesn’t match approved plans or if inspections are missed.
Electrical Building Permit Fees
Electrical permits matter because they tie directly to safety and code compliance. If you’re remodeling a kitchen, adding lighting, upgrading service, or changing circuits, you’re likely dealing with electrical permits and inspections.
Electrical Base And Per-Square-Foot Fees
- Electrical: $50.00+.
- New service/replacement: $30.00 + $0.10 per square foot.
- Complete electrical: $0.05 per square foot.
- Finish out only: $0.025 per square foot.
- Rough in only: $0.025 per square foot.
- Solar panel installation: $0.10 per amp.
For a kitchen remodel that includes new circuits and lighting, you might be looking at a $50 base fee plus additional costs depending on the scope.
These fee lines help you forecast permit costs and avoid surprise payments later. An electrical inspector will verify that all new work meets code and is safe before signing off.
Plumbing Building Permit Fees
Plumbing permits are a common blind spot in remodeling. People assume “it’s inside the house, so it’s fine.” But when plumbing changes are involved, permits and inspections can be required.
Plumbing Base And Per-Square-Foot Fees
- Plumbing: $50.00+.
- Complete plumbing: $0.05 per square foot.
- Finish out only: $0.025 per square foot.
- Rough in only: $0.025 per square foot.
Know which type applies to your work: rough-in changes (behind walls), finish-out (fixtures and visible components), or complete scope. That distinction affects both what you pay and what inspections you should expect.
A bathroom remodel with new plumbing rough-in and fixtures will require both rough-in and finish inspections.
Mechanical Building Permit Fees
Mechanical permits often come into play when your remodeling touches HVAC units, ductwork, or other systems tied to heating and cooling.
Mechanical Base And Per-Square-Foot Fees
- Mechanical: $50.00 + $10.00 per unit+.
- Complete mechanical: $0.05 per square foot.
- Finish out only: $0.025 per square foot.
- Rough in only: $0.025 per square foot.
Your project type and scope definition matter a lot.
If you’re replacing an HVAC system as part of a whole-home remodel, you’ll need a mechanical permit. Having a clear set of plans—submitted correctly—prevents delays in the building department review and helps ensure permits are issued without back-and-forth.
The Inspection Process for Construction Projects
Once your permit is issued, inspections happen at key stages of the work. Inspectors check that the work matches approved plans and meets code.
Typical Inspection Stages
For a remodeling project, you can expect inspections at:
- Rough-in stage (framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC rough-in).
- Final stage (after all work is complete, fixtures installed, finishes done).
Your contractor should schedule these inspections.
Missing an inspection can delay your project and create compliance issues. If the work doesn’t pass inspection, the inspector will note what needs to be corrected, and you’ll need a reinspection, which adds those reinspection fees.
Final Inspection And Sign-Off
Once all work passes final inspection, the building department issues a final approval or certificate of occupancy.
This documents that your remodeling project was completed according to approved plans and local building codes. Keep this documentation—it’s valuable if you ever need to file an insurance claim or sell your home.
Historic homes have a more tedious process.
Working With A Contractor
If you’re hiring a contractor like 360° Construction, they handle much of the permit process for you.
They’ll:
- Prepare or coordinate plans.
- Submit the permit application.
- Pay permit fees.
- Schedule and coordinate inspections.
- Ensure work matches approved plans.
This is one of the real-world values of working with an experienced contractor: you’re not just paying for construction—you’re paying for someone who understands how to comply with permit requirements, submit the right documents, and avoid project delays.
360° Construction provides constant updates throughout the permitting and construction process using JobTread software for schedule updates and progress photos, with a mandatory 24-hour response rule for any client inquiries. You’ll know exactly what’s happening at every stage, and the owner, David Campbell, is personally involved and on-site regularly alongside Project Manager Jesse Lewandowski.
Skip the Permit Stress—360° Construction Has It Covered
Building permits for residential remodeling in Midland and Odessa don’t have to be confusing or stressful. 360° Construction handles every step of the permitting process—from preparing your plans to coordinating inspections—so you can focus on the exciting part: watching your dream space come to life.
Fill out our contact form today or give us a call to discuss your kitchen, bathroom, or whole-home transformation.
Let 360° Construction manage the permits while you enjoy the process.
FAQs
Why do I need a permit?
Permits ensure construction meets safety codes that protect your home and occupants from structural, electrical, and plumbing hazards. They also create an official record of improvements that helps with insurance claims, refinancing, and property sales. Many municipalities also require inspections during the project to verify work meets building standards.
How much does a permit cost?
Permit costs vary based on project scope, square footage, and required trade permits such as electrical or plumbing. Many cities calculate fees using a base rate plus per-square-foot charges and additional trade fees. Plan review fees, often about 25% of the permit cost, are commonly required before approval.
What happens if you add a bathroom without a permit?
Adding a bathroom without a permit can lead to fines, stop-work orders, and required demolition if the work fails inspection. Unpermitted work can also delay home sales because lenders and buyers often require proof that renovations meet building codes.
