Applying for city/county permits

Greg, our vendor/contractor agreements and contracts always stipulate the service provider will apply for permits, arrange for inspections, etc.

I'm wondering why your Association is taking on this task? As a management company, we do not have the expertise to apply for permits or manage that process.

This is typically part of the contractor's responsibility. Your paying them to do the project. Their company should be licensed and insured. So the HOA's job is to pull up and verify the contractor they hire is licensed/insured. Whether or not they are BBB members is a choice. Never ever believe a piece of paper with "BBB" member as "real". Verify it on their website. More than one contractor I've seen put that falsely on paperwork.

What you may be looking for is a "General contractor" that would oversea the entire project and it's parts. That person would be the one in charge of pulling license/insurance/permits if necessary. Since this may be a multi-vendor situation having someone act as a general contractor may be good idea. Whom that is may or may not be a HOA member. Will say that most professional general contractors are also licensed/insured professionals and not someone volunteering in your membership.

Now I've handled several huge projects in our HOA. Tree trim/cutting, pool repairs, drainage issues, and retaining walls etc... Having had experience in these areas I acted as the "general contractor" for our HOA. However, also can see the benefit and need to hire someone to oversea the project representing the HOA. If you don't have enough volunteers in your HOA willing to do the job/project then hiring it out may be good. Just understand that relationship.

1. Know what permits you require.
2. As others have said, specify that the contractor is responsible for permits (specify in writing).
3. Trust but verify (as the HOA is ultimately responsible for the permits)