Do you handle permits and inspections for commercial renovations?

Yes, iPaint manages the entire permit and inspection process for every commercial renovation we undertake. Permits are not optional for most commercial projects, and handling them properly protects you as the tenant or property owner. We take care of the paperwork, scheduling, and coordination so you can focus on running your business.

What Permits Are Required?

Most commercial renovations in Edmonton require at least one permit, and many require several:

• City of Edmonton building permit: Required for any structural changes, wall modifications, or changes to the building envelope. The application goes through the City's Safety Codes Officers for review. Current processing times run 2 to 6 weeks depending on project complexity.
• Electrical sub-permit: Required for any new circuits, panel upgrades, lighting modifications, or data cabling. A licensed master electrician must pull this permit, and all work requires inspection before being covered up.
• Plumbing sub-permit: Required for any new fixtures, drain relocations, or water supply modifications. Common in restaurant, medical, and dental buildouts.
• Gas sub-permit: Required for any gas line work, including furnace relocations or new gas-fired equipment installations.
• Fire inspections: Commercial spaces must meet fire code requirements. Changes to occupancy, exit routes, or fire suppression systems require fire department review and sign-off.

How We Handle the Process

We prepare all permit applications, including required drawings and specifications. For complex projects, we coordinate with architects and engineers to produce stamped drawings that the City requires. We schedule all inspections at the appropriate stages of construction, ensuring work does not proceed past any hold point until the inspector has signed off.

This coordination is built into our project timelines. We know how long Edmonton's permit office takes for different project types, and we factor that into the schedule from day one. No surprises, no delays from missed inspections.

Why Skipping Permits Is Risky

Some contractors offer to skip permits to save time or money. For commercial tenants, this is a serious liability. Unpermitted work can void your property insurance, violate your lease terms, and create problems when you try to sell the business or renew your lease. The City of Edmonton can also issue stop-work orders and require you to tear out completed work that was not inspected.

For medical, dental, and food service businesses, Alberta Health Services requires proof of permit compliance before issuing or renewing operating licences. There is no shortcut worth taking.

We handle permits on every project because it is the right way to build. Contact us to discuss your commercial renovation and we will outline exactly which permits your project requires.