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Engineering Services

Warehouse Layout and Engineering

Big Joe Handling offers warehouse design and layout services for facilities of any scale. From consult to planning and design we will create a storage solution to make the most out of your square footage.

Our team of professionals is dedicated to managing the demanding process of engineering and acquiring permits for warehouse rack projects. By doing so, we alleviate our clients from the time-consuming tasks of paperwork, coordination with various city entities and parties, and waiting in lines at the permit office.

At Big Joe Lift, we provide turnkey warehouse storage systems. No job is too small or too large for us to handle. With our industry knowledge and experience, we offer valuable services including space planning, system designs, application engineering, installations, project management, and building permit submittal services.

Site Visit:
A Big Joe permit specialist will visit your facility to develop a detailed floor plan and site plan, documenting the layout and placement of your warehouse racking.
Structural Calculations:
A licensed structural engineer will create the required structural calculations for your project.
Permit Package Preparation:
Our permit specialists will assist you in assembling a complete permit package, including material specifications, floor and site plans, and structural calculations.
Application Submission:
Submit your permit application to the appropriate local agency for review. The agency will assess the documentation and notify you of any required revisions before granting approval.
Final Inspection:
An inspector will conduct a final on-site review to ensure everything complies with the approved plans before issuing the official permit.

Empty pallet racking inside of a warehouse

Site Visit and Warehouse Storage System Evaluation
Design/Build for Warehouse Storage Systems
Warehouse Space Planning
Building Permits and Submittal Services
Project Management and Site Management
Installation Services
Moving, Relocations and Expansions
Seismic Safety Inspection

Why Do I Need a Permit?

Permits are required by cities, counties, and states to ensure workplace safety. Essentially this covers the liability of your business and its work environment. In order to protect your employees and company as well as the city, calculations and permits are required to confirm that your materials and installation meet current safety standards. According to the 2014 California Building Code (CBC), you are required to obtain a permit if your racking material is above 5’9”.

How Long is The Permit Process?

We recommend beginning the permit process 8–10 weeks before your planned installation date. While this is ideal, we understand that it may not always be feasible. At a minimum, you should allow 2–4 weeks before installation. Once our permit technician completes the initial site visit, it typically takes about a week to prepare and submit your permit application. After submission, the timeline is determined by the reviewing agency. Most cities provide feedback within 4–6 weeks, either approving the project or requesting revisions. If your project falls under county jurisdiction, the review process may take up to 10 weeks.