Permit Details: Boston, MA
12,750 permits worth $625.0M issued in 2025.
Year-over-Year Permit Data (2021 – 2025)
Annual permit counts and construction values broken down by trade.
| Year | Total Permits | Total Value | Electrical | Plumbing | Building | Mechanical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,100 | $720.0M | 4,795 | 3,385 | 4,235 | 1,685 |
| 2022 | 13,200 | $680.0M | 4,490 | 3,170 | 3,960 | 1,580 |
| 2023 | 11,850 | $550.0M | 4,030 | 2,840 | 3,555 | 1,425 |
| 2024 | 12,300 | $580.0M | 4,180 | 2,950 | 3,690 | 1,480 |
| 2025 | 12,750 | $625.0M | 4,335 | 3,060 | 3,825 | 1,530 |
Permit Volume Trend
Total annual permit counts for the past 5 years.
Average Permit Value Trend
The average project cost has shifted over the past 5 years.
Permit Type Deep Dive
Detailed breakdown of permit types with trends.
| Permit Type | % of Total | Avg Value | 5yr Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 33% | $3K | ↗ Steady growth |
| Building | 29% | $35K | → Stable |
| Plumbing | 24% | $6K | ↗ Slight increase |
| Mechanical/HVAC | 14% | $9K | ↗ Rising with heat pump adoption |
Seasonal Patterns
Building activity follows predictable seasonal cycles in New England.
Spring (Mar–May)
~35% of annual permits
Peak season for building permits as outdoor projects begin.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
~30% of annual permits
High volume for HVAC and roofing work.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
~25% of annual permits
Interior renovations and weatherization projects.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
~10% of annual permits
Low season—mostly emergency repairs and interior work.
Contractor Ranking
The top 5 most active contractors by permit count in 2025.
#1
Sila Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanical/HVAC
680 permits $8,500 avg
#2
Boston Electrical Corp Electrical
520 permits $3,800 avg
#3
Casco Construction Services Building
340 permits $42,000 avg
#4
DW Plumbing & Heating Plumbing
280 permits $5,500 avg
#5
Callahan Construction Managers Building
110 permits $85,000 avg