We help clarify property requirements and coordinate approvals, permits and opening preparation — with clear steps and one coordinator. Planning to sign a lease or already have a property? Start with your situation and identify the next step.
The issue
Many owners expect to file one form and open. In practice that form is one step of a longer approval process, and the other steps decide your opening date.
Finding a zoning or licensing problem after the lease is signed can mean months of delay, extra cost, or a space where the business can't legally operate. Our job is to answer these questions early and then run the process in order.
Services and prices
Every project starts with a short review of the business, the property and the approval path. Then you get the scope, the fee and the payment schedule in writing.
Zoning check before you sign
Price$650
Before you sign a lease or close on a property.
Standard openings
Pricefrom $1,600
For openings that need no Conditional Use, Special Use, variance, rezoning or public hearing.
Conditional Use, Special Use, variance, rezoning
Pricecustom quote
When zoning does not allow the use as it stands, or the project needs a hearing.
LLC or corporation registration, EIN, MyTax Illinois and related registrations. Entity choice, legal and tax advice are not included.
Industry licenses that sit outside the municipal business license. Final price depends on the licensing process.
Municipal sign approval and contact with the owner, the village and the sign contractor. Design, fabrication, installation and government fees are separate.
Inspections, municipal meetings, property visits. Long trips or long on-site days are quoted separately.
Municipal follow-up, license amendments, new approvals, compliance and record changes after you open.
Government and permit fees, architects, engineers, attorneys and contractors are paid separately. Full price list.
How it works
Most openings follow the same route. The details change with the business and the municipality.
Standard line
Complex line
Standard projects typically take approximately 3–6 weeks, depending on the property and applicable requirements. Projects requiring a public hearing generally take 2–3 months. These estimates start when the complete document package is submitted to the municipality. Document preparation and renovation are separate. These are planning estimates, not guaranteed timelines. Timing depends on municipal review, hearing schedules and any required revisions.
Selected projects
Explore selected projects, the approval requirements and the work coordinated by BPM.
Elk Grove Village, IL · Restaurant
Licensing, renovation permits and three inspections for a new restaurant.
McHenry, IL · Truck repair
Property search, lease negotiation and a Conditional Use Permit for a truck repair relocation.
Chicago, IL · Beauty salon
Business License, Salon Establishment License and inspections for a new salon.
Industries
Anything that needs a space, a license and an inspector's signature before it can serve customers.
Before you sign
Tell us your business type, subject property address (if selected) and transaction status. We will identify the information needed and the next step.
An introductory conversation, not a zoning determination. Government fees and third-party professional services are separate from BPM fees.
Business Project Management coordinates the opening, relocation and expansion of location-based businesses in Chicago and the suburbs.
We guide your project from the initial property review through applications, inspections and opening. We coordinate with the municipality, property owner and project specialists, keeping you informed about progress, outstanding requirements and next steps.
About BPMFAQ
Prices, timelines and what to do before you sign a lease. Tap a question to open it.
You can contact us while searching for a property, negotiating a lease or purchase, or after signing. Starting early helps clarify the proposed use, property requirements and approval path before you commit to an opening plan.
Standard projects start at $1,600. Projects requiring additional zoning approvals or public hearings are quoted individually. We agree on the scope, fee and payment schedule before work begins.
Standard projects typically take 3–6 weeks; projects requiring public hearings generally take 2–3 months. These planning estimates start when the complete document package is submitted to the municipality. Document preparation, renovation and physical preparation of the premises are separate. Actual timing depends on municipal review, hearing schedules and required revisions.
We coordinate the agreed approval process: property and zoning review, application preparation or coordination, municipal follow-up, specialist communication and inspection preparation. You receive regular updates on progress, outstanding items and decisions needed from you. Legal, design and other licensed professional services are provided separately by the appropriate specialists.
No. Approval decisions and review schedules are controlled by the relevant authorities. BPM is responsible for the agreed coordination work, including preparing or coordinating submissions, tracking comments and keeping you informed about the next steps.
Send the property address, if selected, a description of your business and your lease or purchase status. Include available plans, planned improvements and anything the municipality or property owner has already told you. You do not need every document ready for the introductory conversation.
