NetClerk then dispatches a courier to deliver the form to the city or county permitting department. It solves contractor problems. On the flip side, the service also facilitates the permit process for city and county governments, which pay nothing for the service. Contractors, however, do pay to use the service. Monthly subscription fees are based on the number of permits actually filed and can be automatically charged to major credit cards.
Subscribers also pay normal permit fees.
Nationally, NetClerk has filed more than 15,000 permits in 600 cities since January. The company plans to expand to 2,000 cities by the end of the year. In response to customer demand, NetClerk's debut in Portland occurred sooner than the company had originally planned. As a result, some Oregon cities and counties are still being wooed to participate in the service. Stephanie Basalyga covers architecture, engineering and construction for the Daily Journal of Commerce.