recent building permits…
Pennsylvania has 13,108 building permits on file right now. In just the last 30 days, contractors filed 4,474 new permits across the state. That's solid construction activity if you know where to look. Philadelphia dominates the market with 11,017 permits, followed by Pittsburgh at 2,091. Most of the work breaks down into plumbing (3,355 permits), electrical (2,491 permits), renovation (2,389 permits), HVAC (1,541 permits), and other trades (1,778 permits). If you work in any of these areas, there's real demand happening. The contractors winning right now use permit data to find jobs before competitors do. When a permit gets filed, it means a property owner already committed to work. That's a qualified lead. Dig into Pennsylvania's permit database, filter by your trade and the cities you service, and contact property owners while the project is still fresh.
Search the Pennsylvania permit database by your trade (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, etc.) and filter by the cities where you work. Each permit record shows the property address, owner contact info, and project type. Sort by filing date to find the newest permits. Focus on permits filed in the last 30 days since those represent active projects. Many contractors contact property owners within 48 hours of permit filing, before other bidders call.
Philadelphia leads by a wide margin with 11,017 permits on file. Pittsburgh is second with 2,091 permits. These two cities represent the bulk of construction activity in the state. If you service Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, you have access to the most opportunities. Smaller cities and suburban areas also have steady permit activity, so check your local market to identify secondary opportunities in your service area.
Plumbing is the most common permit type with 3,355 filings, followed by electrical with 2,491. Renovation permits total 2,389, HVAC comes in at 1,541, and other trades account for 1,778 permits. If you're a plumber or electrician, you're in high-demand categories. If you do HVAC, roofing, or general contracting, filter the database for those specific permit types to find jobs that match your services.
11,656 recent building permits filed in Pennsylvania.
11,656 permits
Existing (alteration/addition)
Rewire and additional outlets and light fixtures for basement room
We will be relocating the old gas line for a new gas range. The line will remain in the same room and general location, just moved to accommodate a shift in the kitchen's layout an…
Existing (alteration/addition)
Interior alterations including new partition walls, fixtures and finishes. exterior alterations to add a ramp.
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Existing (alteration/addition)
Existing (alteration/addition)
Existing (alteration/addition)
Installation of new furnace and Air Conditioning system with all new Ductwork throughout. AC Condenser sitting on a pad outside within 6 ft from nearest property line. New Coil on…
Existing (alteration/addition)
Rooftop Solar
Construct stairway from first floor to basement, renovate kitchen, add laundry room to 2nd floor
Change in use to a single family dwelling, replacement of front porch, interior renovation including sistering joists, new joists, kitchen, bathroom, new windows and siding and ace…
Existing (alteration/addition)
Existing (alteration/addition)
Construction of deck at rear of structure with interior renovations (new restroom?) to 2nd and 3rd floor apartment, including fire separation between 1st and 2nd floor
Relocate one (1) pendant fire sprinkler head to new tenant build-out.
New 8' x 12' in-ground pool at rear of single unit dwelling
Installation of swimming pool, spa and patio in side yard of single family dwelling
Replacement of existing AC System to include replacement of existing exterior AC Unit. Standalone Work