PermitWire FAQ

The service

What is PermitWire?

PermitWire emails home-service contractors a ranked list of the building permits issued in their city and trade, every morning by 7am. Each permit includes the job address, a description of the work, the declared value and a 0-100 lead score.

Who is PermitWire for?

Roofers, HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians, solar installers, remodelers, pool builders, window and siding companies, and demolition and restoration crews that want to reach property owners while a project is just starting.

Which cities does PermitWire cover?

Austin, Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Nashville, Orlando and New Orleans. We add cities that publish permits as open data; tell us where you work.

How fresh are the permits?

We pull each city's official open-data feed every morning. Most cities publish permits within a day or two of issue. A few, like Boston, publish in batches every few days, and those permits appear as soon as the city releases them.

How many leads will I get?

It depends on your city and trade. A busy metro like Austin or New York issues hundreds of permits a week across all trades; a single trade in a smaller market might see a handful a day. Every city and trade page on this site shows live counts.

Can I see a sample before paying?

Yes. Every city and trade page shows the latest permits with addresses blurred, and the free sample form emails you the next morning's top permits with full addresses. No card needed.

Leads and data

What information comes with each permit?

The job address and ZIP code, the city's description of the work, the permit type, the issue date, the declared project value when the city publishes it, and the contractor of record on Pro and Multi-metro plans.

What is the lead score?

A 0-100 rank driven mostly by the declared project value (on a log scale, so one huge commercial job doesn't drown out good residential work), weighted by trade, plus a few points for a complete record: address, a real description and a contractor of record. Higher means call first. It's a sorting aid, not a guarantee.

Do you include homeowner names or phone numbers?

No. PermitWire passes along what the city publishes about the project and the property. We don't add personal contact data, and most cities don't publish homeowner phone numbers.

Why are some permits missing a value?

Some cities don't require or publish a declared value for every permit type. When a value is missing, the lead score leans on trade match and record completeness.

Can I download my leads?

Yes. Every subscriber has a private My Leads page with every permit we've sent in the last 90 days, plus search, filters and a CSV download.

Using permit leads the right way

Are building permits public record?

Yes. In every state we cover, issued building permits are public records under the state's public records law, and cities publish them on open-data portals. See our state-by-state guide.

Can I call or text homeowners from a permit?

Phone calls and especially texts to cell phones are regulated by the federal TCPA, the Do Not Call Registry, and state laws such as Florida's Telephone Solicitation Act. Automated calls or texts generally require prior express written consent. Mail and in-person visits are usually simpler, but check local solicitation and do-not-knock rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

What's the best way to follow up on a permit lead?

Lead with value and speed: a short, specific letter or door hanger that references the project type, sent within a day or two of the permit. Offer something useful, like a second opinion or inspection, rather than a hard pitch.

Is it legal to mail homeowners about their permit?

Direct mail to a property address is generally lawful marketing in the U.S. Some cities restrict door-to-door solicitation or require a permit to canvass, so check before knocking.

Plans and billing

How much does PermitWire cost?

Starter is from $69 a month for one trade in one city, Pro is $129 a month for all trades in one city with contractor names and CSV export, and Multi-metro is $249 a month for up to three cities. Annual plans get two months free.

Is there a free trial?

Yes, every plan starts with a 7-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you won't be charged.

Are there contracts?

No. Plans are month to month. Cancel in one click from your client portal.

Can I switch my trade or city?

Yes. Email [email protected] with the trade or city you want and we'll switch it the same day.

How do I update my card or get invoices?

Open your client portal from the link in any email or from the Client portal page. You can update your card, download invoices and cancel there.