diff --git a/src/perms/builders.rs b/src/perms/builders.rs
index 6c73fe3..8e0237a 100644
--- a/src/perms/builders.rs
+++ b/src/perms/builders.rs
@@ -170,7 +170,17 @@ impl Builders {
     /// round-robin design, where each builder is allowed to perform an action
     /// at a specific slot, and what builder is allowed changes with each slot.
     pub fn is_builder_permissioned(&self, sub: &str) -> Result<(), BuilderPermissionError> {
-        self.check_query_bounds()?;
+        let current_slot_time = self.calc().current_timepoint_within_slot();
+        let current_builder = self.current_builder().sub.clone();
+
+        if current_slot_time < self.config.block_query_start() {
+            tracing::debug!(current_slot_time, current_builder, "block too early");
+            return Err(BuilderPermissionError::ActionAttemptTooEarly);
+        }
+        if current_slot_time > self.config.block_query_cutoff() {
+            tracing::debug!(current_slot_time, current_builder, "block too late");
+            return Err(BuilderPermissionError::ActionAttemptTooLate);
+        }
 
         if sub != self.current_builder().sub {
             tracing::debug!(