How we tag permits
Every permit is matched against its permit type, work type and work description (not case sensitive). One permit can be a lead for several trades. These rules are read directly from the code that does the tagging.
New builds and additions
If the permit type contains NEW CONSTRUCTION or ADDITION, or the text says "new single-family / residence / home / dwelling / building / construction" or "addition", the permit is tagged for all four follow-on trades: fence, landscaping, gutters, and blinds & shutters. A new build needs all four.
Trade keywords
FENCE or FENCING, plus POOL, SPA, HOT TUB or SWIMMING (a new pool needs a fence around it)
Also tagged on every new build or addition.
LANDSCAPE / LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION, LAWN, SOD, RETAINING WALL, GARDEN WALL, GRADING or HARDSCAPE
Also tagged on every new build or addition.
POOL, SPA, HOT TUB or SWIMMING
Not tagged by the new-build rule, only by its own keywords.
GUTTER, DOWNSPOUT, FASCIA or SOFFIT
Also tagged on every new build or addition.
BLIND, SHUTTER, WINDOW TREATMENT or WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Also tagged on every new build or addition.
ROOF, REROOF, SHINGLE or TEAR-OFF
Not tagged by the new-build rule, only by its own keywords.
HVAC, FURNACE, AIR CONDITION(ING), A/C, COOLING TOWER, BOILER, MECHANICAL SYSTEM, DUCTWORK, HEATING, VENTILATION, ROOFTOP UNIT or RTU
Not tagged by the new-build rule, only by its own keywords.
Job value
Tagging never looks at cost. A $0 or unlisted-cost permit is still tagged by what the work is. Each contractor filters by value instead (Any / $10k+ / $50k+ / $250k+), and the daily email puts the most valuable permits first.
Where the data comes from
Chicago: City of Chicago Building Permits (data.cityofchicago.org). Austin: City of Austin Issued Construction Permits (data.austintexas.gov). We pull the last 30 days every morning at 6:30 a.m. Central. Cities usually post permits with about a one-day delay. Chicago ZIP codes are matched from each permit's map coordinates and are approximate. Homeowner and applicant names are never stored or shown. We only show the street, ZIP, permit type and any contractor company the city names on the permit.