How to bid a job you found on a building permit (California subs)

Short answer

A building permit is a public record. It usually shows the job value the applicant declared, the type of work, the address and, in many cities, the contractor.
Contact the general contractor on the permit, not the owner, unless the owner pulled it as an owner-builder. Check their license on CSLB's license lookup first.
Have your CSLB license number, certificate of insurance and W-9 ready. Ask for the plans, schedule, payment terms and retention in writing.
Once you start, send a 20-day preliminary notice to keep your lien rights (Civil Code §8204), and know the 7-day prompt payment rule (B&P §7108.5).

This guide is for subcontractors. It's a plain-language summary as of November 5, 2026, not legal advice. HatBench's free Find work tool shows new permits in your trade each morning; the steps below work for any permit you find.

1. Read the permit

Cities publish building permits as public records. Most show:

Status: filed or in review means the city is still reviewing it, a good time to get in early. Issued means work can start. Finaled or closed means the job is done.
Valuation: the job value the applicant declared to the city. It's a rough size, not the contract price.
Description and type: what's being built, often enough to tell which trades it needs.
Contractor: many cities list the licensed contractor who pulled the permit. Some don't publish it; the city's permit record or counter can tell you who applied.

Skip permits that are only paperwork (a revision to an earlier permit, a renewal) and small one-trade jobs like a re-roof or solar install: the contractor who pulled those is usually doing the work.

2. Find the right person

A general contractor on the permit: that's who hires subs. Look the license up on CSLB's license lookup. It shows the business name, phone, classifications and status. Call or email the office and ask for the estimator or project manager on that job.
An owner-builder: the owner hires subs directly. Contact them through the information on the permit record, and be professional: they didn't ask to be called.
A public bid (for example Caltrans): the project page lists the plan holders, the contractors bidding as primes. Send them your quote before the bid date.

Many GCs also send bid invitations through online bid sites. Ask which one they use and get on their list.

3. Call early

As a rule of thumb, site work, concrete and framing start first, often within weeks of a permit; electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough-in follow framing; finishes come near the end. Remodels and tenant improvements move fast, and GCs often line up subs within days to a few weeks. Every job is different, so ask.

4. What to say and have ready

Your company, trade and CSLB license number, and which permit you're calling about.
Ask for the plans or scope, the schedule, and how they want the bid.
Have your certificate of insurance and W-9 ready. Most GCs ask for them before you start, and many check your workers' comp on the CSLB record.
Get the scope, price, payment terms and retention in writing before you start.

5. Protect your pay

Preliminary notice: on most private jobs, a sub without a contract with the owner has to give a 20-day preliminary notice to keep its lien and payment rights. A late notice only covers work from 20 days before it was served (Civil Code §8204). See preliminary notices and lien waivers.
Prompt payment: under B&P §7108.5, a contractor generally has to pay its subs within 7 days after receiving each progress payment, unless agreed otherwise in writing. See prompt payment and retention.
Keep your license and insurance current: under B&P §7031, a contractor generally can't sue to collect pay for licensed work unless it was licensed the whole time.

Checklist

Permit readStatus, value, description, contractor.
GC's license looked upOn CSLB, with the office phone.
Called earlyAsked for the estimator or PM on that job.
License #, COI and W-9 readySent with the bid.
Scope, price and pay terms in writingBefore you start.
Preliminary notice sentWithin 20 days of first furnishing work.

Common questions

Is it OK to contact a contractor I found on a building permit?

Yes. Building permits are public records, and contractors list their business phone with the CSLB. Call the office during business hours, say which permit you saw, and ask who handles subcontractor bids.

What does "filed" or "in review" mean on a permit?

The city is still reviewing the permit. Work usually can't start until it's issued, which makes it a good time to introduce yourself and get on the bid list.

Should I contact the owner?

Only when the owner pulled the permit as an owner-builder. Otherwise the general contractor on the permit is the one hiring subs.

When do I send a preliminary notice?

On most private jobs, within 20 days after you first furnish work. A late notice only covers work from 20 days before it was served (Civil Code §8204).

General information for California contractors, current as of November 5, 2026. It isn't legal advice; rules change, so check the official source linked above.