How Do Plumbers in Miami-Dade Get New Construction Work From Home Builders?

Isn't the plumbing sub on a new Miami-Dade house already picked by the time a permit is public?

Want to see who's building this week? Unlock today's permits.

That's the first worry most subs have about permits, and it's fair. It depends on which permit you're watching. On a new house, the plumbing permit is pulled by the plumber who already has the job. They tell you who won.

The building permit for the house comes first. The builder can't start until the Miami-Dade County issues it, and that's often when he's still lining up subs. Permits in Miami-Dade can take a while from application to issue, but construction can't start until it's issued. That's the permit to watch.

To reach him, the building permit names the builder or contractor, and the Miami-Dade County record sometimes lists a phone. When it doesn't, the company name is usually enough to find one.

Don't Miami-Dade builders just stick with the sub they know?

Even when you reach the builder in time, there's a second wall: most builders stick with who they know. A builder who's happy with his plumber puts him on the next house, and the one after that.

"I know a builder who gives every solar job to one solar guy. That one relationship has been worth hundreds of thousands in work to him."Ben, FirstBid founder

The next builder on your list is already on the board.

That's exactly why it's worth getting in. You're not trying to bump his sub off this house. You're getting on his list, so when his guy is booked, late or slipping, you're the next call. Miss that, and you're back to shared leads where the cheapest quote wins.

How do you get on a Miami-Dade builder's list? 3 steps

Getting on the list comes down to being early, being easy to work with, and proving it once.

1. See the new building permit the week it's issued. Watch new single-family building permits from the county, not trade permits. They show the address and usually the builder. Plumbing goes in before the slab, so your window opens earlier than most trades.

Try it for a week and make your first call.

2. Call the builder like a sub, not a salesman. Keep it short and easy to say no to:

If he's set: "No problem. Mind if I send you my info for the next one?" If he's open, ask when he'll need you, then tell him what he cares about:

Want to see who's building this week? Unlock today's permits.

Then text him your name, license number and phone so he has it when he needs it. One call won't always win the house. It gets you on the list for the next one.

3. Do one house right, then ask for the next. Show up on his schedule, pass inspection, leave it clean. A builder who doesn't have to chase his sub keeps calling the same one.

Step 1 is the hard part. Checking Miami-Dade County permit records every morning takes time most owners don't have. That's what FirstBid does for you.

What do you get on the Miami-Dade board?

Skip the morning permit search. The board does it for you.

Once you're in, every card opens up like the one above:

• New Miami-Dade single-family permits each morning, from Miami-Dade County public records.
• The full address, so you know the house and the area.
• The builder's name and phone, when the record lists them.
• Tap to call or text right from the card.

You still make the call and win the job. The board tells you who to call and when.

Questions Miami-Dade subs ask before trying it

The next builder on your list is already on the board.

Fair questions. Here are straight answers.

Get to the next Miami-Dade slab first

Builders in Miami-Dade pull permits on new houses every week, and every one needs a plumber before the slab. Try the board for 7 days and make your first builder call this week.