As for the permits it can be hard to know what your up against from each manicipality unless your familular with them.
Some areas insurance requierments, permit / inspection costs, documentation, and turn around time can very greatly. A few have the rule of once you do one thing you have to start cutting in smoke detectors, adding GFI's and bringing things up to todays code. It's an EC trap for the new guy in town. Oh, also contractor registration fee's and time needed to schedule / wait for an inspection. When selling a job the above should be factored in.
Many times a customer will ask how long to get the permit, how much, etc. that you have little control over. Be carefull. Sometimes the AHJ will ask for a survey of the property for what seems like a nothing job outside. Sometimes the building owner or building department can supply you with past surveys or blue prints to work off of.
The process might have worked like this where I was working:
1. Check local special requirements that would impact the job if unknown
2. Sell job & get deposit
3. Get the permit forms
4. Have owner sign permit
5. Go to the insurance company and get a bond for that job
6. Get drawings, cut sheets, surveys, etc
7. Go to building department with check book and hope you have everything
8. Pick up permit
Keep in mind the could very greatly between areas, and job types. The above relates more to a job not going thru a GC.
I can understand some EC for not wanting to explain the process. I'm sure every EC has had some extra run around and costly lessons in learning their local process. Just like pricing some don't want to give this away.
The worst can be the smallest areas that don't have the resorces to document well what they want or have a full time building department staff.
I got a letter from one city announcing a free seminar on permitming requirements. When they're required, what's required of the contractor to work in their city, what's required to be filled out and turned in. My guess is they are haveing a lot of problems. IMO it might be a sign of the times of some unemployed finding their own work out of necessity and becomming a newest and lowest priced EC in town.
As far as reading go to the city, town, etc. web site for your areas you plan on working in. Search around for their electrical code, NEC ammendments, permit requirements, contractor reqirements, and sometimes they have special information buletins about a subject like pools or panel upgrades. Some places make very little changes to the NEC, while others write their own code book. Take note what year NEC they are on.
Keep in mind that most if not all the above costs are non refundable, so again get the deposit.
One last note is I like to be carefull with leaving a copy of my liciense with anyone but the AHJ. Reason is some people have been known to use it to get the permit but hire someone elce or themselves to do the work. Or worse use it to pull a permit on a different job. A few places have special requirements to reduce this or call to verify with the EC.
