Building inspector horror stories: myth?

[ddawg16]

You must have got your permit issued prior to Jan 2011, because you would be under the 2008 NEC otherwise, & almost everything would require AFCI's (IMHO snake oil), unless it requires GFCI's....

Permits were issued in July of 2011.....and I don't have to do fire sprinklers either....

I can't say the AFIC's are snake oil....expensive....but if you have wiring issues, I can see where they would be a good thing....

The problem is that it will take years to have any idea if they are worth it...if nothing happens....about the only way to know will be a decrease in fires....and documented cases of people having trips...and then finding a wiring problem....time will tell.

 

[Norcal]

Permits were issued in July of 2011.....and I don't have to do fire sprinklers either....

I can't say the AFIC's are snake oil....expensive....but if you have wiring issues, I can see where they would be a good thing....

The problem is that it will take years to have any idea if they are worth it...if nothing happens....about the only way to know will be a decrease in fires....and documented cases of people having trips...and then finding a wiring problem....time will tell.

There was a lot of misinformation when they were trying to get them required, they still do not perform as claimed the idea is good but I would have had no issues if GFCI's had been required everywhere though.

 

[meburdick]

Just wanted to comment on my own experiences...

First, I would caution that "Your Mileage May Vary". All towns / cities / municipalities will be different as will the regulations.

I recommend going and talking to the inspector before you ever file a permit application. The inspectors will tell you up front what sort of things to make sure you do or don't do, and you should be able to get a sense for their "hot button" items. Ask about things like building code, any tips they might offer in addition, and even if there are advantages to using hired professionals for any portions. Not that you'll hire a pro, but, again, you'll get a sense for what sort of things they might scrutinize more than others.

For anything that will be buried (electrical, for example), ask about whether you can take photos of everything showing the work (including tape measures to show depth, etc) so that you can close the holes without having to wait for an in-person inspection. Cite that you have an interest in keeping things safe for others, etc.

Ask about things that you can do what would be beyond code, and make sure you won't create additional issues. If you have to build a floor, and want to use larger joists or narrower "on center", be sure that there aren't drawbacks to that (like having to increase your lower supports to hold the heavier weight).

The better your quality of work, combined with the more projects you do, the more likely your inspector will show up without any sort of pre-determined notion of whether there will be issues or not.

 

[-Brent-]

In my experience, I've only had two inspectors that probably should have retired. They were both in poor health and couldn't manuever well enough to do thorough inspections. One was back east, he did a bunch of inspections for us. We did our best to provide temporary stairs (even if custom cases were being built or something like grading would be changed) even though the city's requirement differed. It dented our bottom line but it kept him happy. He hated ladders and if he saw them, he'd request stairs be put in place before he'd inspect (and thus, sign off).

Another, is a fella whom inspected my home last year. No joke, it took him fifteen minutes to make it up our single flight of stairs (14 of them). I thought he'd pull the railing off the wall by the way he was relying on it. Once up there, he was so gassed he could barely concentrate on the items we went up there for.

He asked for me to enlarge my entrance to my crawlspace, which I did for my own use, but I knew he'd never attempt to go down there.

I can't imagine the things that this guy missed throughout his career by being so limited.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

I'm a homeowner doing my own work. I had two rough inspections yesterday, one electrical, one plumbing. They were my 5th and 6th inspection from the AHJ on this project. This whole time I've been a bit nervous because every time I tell someone I have an inspection they grumble about how

"dealing with the city is a pain"

"inspectors are pricks"

"they don't like DIYers, we ask too many questions and generally don't know what we are doing".

So far in my experience inspectors have been great to deal with and VERY VERY helpful. I ask a lot of questions and they all spend time educating me on best practices.

I'm beginning to think it's a myth that "dealing with the AHJ is pain" and most frustrations can be eliminated by proper research, organization and scheduling extra-time in case of failed an inspection - otherwise all of a sudden the project is thrown behind because "the damn city this ... that..."

I For my 2cents AHJ has been easy to work with and I think my project is turning out much better than had I tried to do this under the table.

I'm curious if you guys here think differently and care to share your experiences with such "PITA inspector"

madstat

In Chicago, many inspectors - building, food, etc. - are unqualified relatives of politically-connected people. They are more interested in shaking you down than in making sure you are safe. I could point to horror stories that are public (e.g., a food inspector pointing out that she owns a restaurant supply company, and oh would you like to buy from her before she does the inspection) and semi-public (a 19-y/o son of a alderman approving a deck that collapsed, killing several people).

Of course, I'll take those guys over the EEOC audits. The same inspector will tell you, (a) "You're a government vendor, so you must track the age, gender, ethnicity, race, ****** orientation, etc. of EVERY applicant", and (b) "You are not allowed to ask age, gender, ethnicity, race, ****** orientation, etc. of any applicant."

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Heard of an inspector issuing a stop-work order because he 'didn't like the framing'. It went to court, DIY owner was an engineer who had the paperwork to document that 'the framing' was not only to Code but exceeded it. Inspector was thus shown to be an idiot.

even so he still won in the end by stopping you and forcing you to court to defend, when he was proven wrong, what was the payback? better to just bow to their ego, cheaper and faster in the end.

Your thinking might be true with a smaller part of a project, such as plumbing or electrical, but when it comes to someone "not liking the framing" it probably means tearing down the building and starting over...... At that point, you go to court.

Charles

 

[Mickey O]

Now for the flip side. I worked as an electrical/mechanical inspector in a high priced suburb for 2 years. It was the WORST job I ever had. The Nec we were using was 15 years old. In one summer we had permits for 77 new houses, all of which were replacing teardowns. That's just the new houses. I had guys that installed temporary services in trees and when I red tagged it, they'd get pissed and complain. Steam generators that were totally in accessible. You would have to cut a hole in an exterior wall to get at it. This was a town with lots of expensive homes and whatever the owner wanted, the owner got. How would you like to buy a $1.5 million house, have it built to 15 yr. old codes and have a boat load of contractors that struggled mightily to pass their inspections. The contactors that knew what they were doing loved me for one reason. I created an even playing field. Everyone had to play by the same rules. Some figured me out pretty quick, they knew what I was looking for. I never asked for something that wasn't in the code and if you failed your inspection, you knew what had to be done to correct it. Well, too many of the rich homeowners complained about I had had enough. I have no problem watching houses burn because you don't want to remove the old knob and tube wiring that's being covered up by brand new drywall. I might even bring a few marshmallows. Not all inspectors are lousy, but they are out there.

The guy that I replaced, retired after 43 years. He did most of his inspections from the car.

In Chicago, many inspectors - building, food, etc. - are unqualified relatives of politically-connected people. They are more interested in shaking you down than in making sure you are safe. I could point to horror stories that are public (e.g., a food inspector pointing out that she owns a restaurant supply company, and oh would you like to buy from her before she does the inspection) and semi-public (a 19-y/o son of a alderman approving a deck that collapsed, killing several people).

Of course, I'll take those guys over the EEOC audits. The same inspector will tell you, (a) "You're a government vendor, so you must track the age, gender, ethnicity, race, ****** orientation, etc. of EVERY applicant", and (b) "You are not allowed to ask age, gender, ethnicity, race, ****** orientation, etc. of any applicant."

I was reading all the good stuff about inspectors and was waiting to run across some folks from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The inspectors out this way with some exceptions are a bunch of overpaid under qualified useless **** bags who abuse their power.

Add into the mix Illinois has no standard building code, every town has their own, last place I lived was on one version of the NEC and across the street they were on a different version also had different building codes. Then toss in all the corruption (last town I lived in all the building officials (police, chief and mayor as well) had huge McMansions, built by a local builder (using an unlicensed architect) that gets every variance he asks for, at huge discounts leaving them with ridiculously low tax bills for the area.

 

[green.bubbly]

Nothing but praise for my inspectors. They have been very very helpful during my garage and home build.

By the way, what does AHJ actually stand for?

 

[Norcal]

A inspector is not the AHJ, it's a bit higher up then that.

 

[denis4x4]

Ordered a prefab barn that was loaded with another barn going to Phoenix. Had the plans stamped by a licensed Colorado engineer and pulled an ag building permit. Inspector found that the finished barn didn't have the proper uprights for a 70# snow load. They called the company and within a week, a crew was on site with the correct parts and we passed with flying colors. However, there is a barn in Phoenix that can withstand a 70# snow load!

That inspector was not only doing his job, but he saved me from some real problems down the road!

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Ordered a prefab barn that was loaded with another barn going to Phoenix. Had the plans stamped by a licensed Colorado engineer and pulled an ag building permit. Inspector found that the finished barn didn't have the proper uprights for a 70# snow load. They called the company and within a week, a crew was on site with the correct parts and we passed with flying colors. However, there is a barn in Phoenix that can withstand a 70# snow load!

That inspector was not only doing his job, but he saved me from some real problems down the road!

Well, you'll be safe during the sandstorms!

 

[ms fowler]

My experience varies--within the same County. About 25 years ago, I went to work for a friend as superintendent building 50 single family homes a year. I was green, but really cared about the end product; not just getting it "done". My Inspector picked up on this and educated me a great deal.
A few years later I got back into the Civil Engineering field, and ended up actually doing the inspections for 2 years. ( County had a hiring moratorium, and building was booming---inspectors were taking 3-4 days to get to a house because they had an arbitrary limit on the number of inspections they were allowed to do. The Builders Assoc stepped in, and the County relented, and allowed Engineers to do all structural inspections from footings to final U&O. Their only stipulation was they wanted to approve each Engineer's Inspector. When I showed up, they simply waved me through because they all knew me, and my work ethic.
I personally did about 1/2 of all the residential housing inspections for a couple of years because I had no arbitrary limit--a townhouse footing of 6 units was 6 inspections to the County and half the day's work allotment for one person! It took a few minutes more to do that than a single family footing.
A few years ago, I did a small addition to the entry of my house. I had quite an argument with the inspector because he didn't understand the difference between a bearing wall, and a non bearing wall.
Yes, Inspectors vary.

 

[ozyborn]

Illinois... I have dealt with the county inspectors for years. Never had an issue with them. They never had an issue with my work. Get into the city and deal with those inspectors. Well I found the 1% that give the rest a bad name. I completely gutted and rebuilt our 2 story home. The one would not even inspect the plumbing because I used PEX tubing. I would not even consult with one of their own plumber buddies. I eventually kicked him off the property and told the city to go to hell. Never did get the signoffs. 5 years down the road I sold the place and never had a single issue.

For most people the inspector are a good thing. Keeps them from being to stupid for their own good. But on occasion you get the ego filled ******* on a power trip. Those are the ones that give the rest a bad name.

 

[ddawg16]

I just had a phone conversation with my inspector....

Called the office.....left a message....he called back within an hour.....answered my questions....all but one....He didn't know the answer so he refered me to the person who could.

I bribe my inspector every time he comes out........I have a cold Pepsi waiting for him.....though I really doubt it makes any difference....he keeps drinking it while writing out the fail card.....

 

[ms fowler]

My Inspector's hand writing was so bad, that not even he could read what he wrote a day after he put the sticker up.

 

[Falcon67]

I've been to Chicago - and I did note the stickers on EVERYTHING. Like every pisser had to have a stamp or a sticker. Or two, three.

I bribe my inspector every time he comes out........I have a cold Pepsi waiting for him.....though I really doubt it makes any difference....he keeps drinking it while writing out the fail card.....

Semi OT - In a previous job I had my program audited by the NRC. The G-Men were quite "tight" by Texas standards - no assist, very stand-offish, etc. Came time for lunch - can't buy us sandwiches, not kosher. What if we find issues? I said "Well - if I can bribe an NRC audit team with cold cuts, the oversight system is in a bit of trouble don't ya think?". We all had a nice lunch and got along fine after that.

 

[ncfh]

Theft, employee/sub BS, and crooked officals have lead us to covertly video most jobsites and when we can, every interaction with public officals.

Sometimes we just have one of the kids chase them around with a video camera when we are in a "preventative" rather than "hang 'em high" mood.

The gear has paid for itself and word has gotten out.

My partner does an excellent Chris Hansen...

 

[malibu101]

By the way, what does AHJ actually stand for?

Authority Having Jurisdiction

 

[-Brent-]

My Inspector's hand writing was so bad, that not even he could read what he wrote a day after he put the sticker up.

I've seen this before too!

 

[ms fowler]

I've seen this before too!

The good thing that this Inspector had the ability to laugh at himself.


I did "pull one over on him", once though. Getting ready for U&O--schedule is tight--miss the inspection, and the settlement date ( and loan rate) change. NEED this inspection. But the house isn't ready when the Inspector shows up--first stop of the day for him. Obviously we will do all the work before settlement, but we can't afford any delay right now.
Two items that will cause a failure--
1) There is a 16 inch step from the Kitchen to the Family Room. There is a wrought iron railing along the edge, but its not bolted down. Its winter time, so I have everyone who is in the house ( lots of people) through their coats over the railing as my trim carpenter and I lean on it to hold it up while we chat as the Inspector walks around.
2) Powder Room is not complete. I put a cleaning girl in there with the door shut. He knocks, and hears a female say, "I'm in here", and the Inspector, ever the gentleman, says, " OK, I'm sorry to disturb you."

I get the U&O
We complete all work. House goes to settlement.
Everyone is happy. ( I am still not convinced he didn't notice....)

 

[green.bubbly]

Authority Having Jurisdiction

Thanks, never heard that used before but then again, I am not in the construction biz.

 

[mothgrey]

So I have not had an issue. I'm in Va and was having trouble getting a straight answer on some details before my build from the building dept. However for my generator and the garage they have been great. The generator the code had changed but I should have been grandfathered in. But nope, so when they came out for the trench inspection they were really good even giving me the details of what needed to be changed for the wiring. Also the generator inspection, it had a PVC pipe that extends 5 feet up away from the generator incase the relief valve released. It was sticking straight up but was not attached to a support. He let me go get a stack pound in in the ground and zip tie it. Then he said Ok it passes. On my pole building he couldn't be there early for the hole inspection so he told me on the phone to take a photo with a tape measure in the hole. He showed up later and passed them after I showed him the photos. I can't complain about them here they have been great to work with.

 

[where2]

I've found that asking stupid questions in the inspector's office before they become problems goes a long way. I've also found when they fail me they have failed me for a reason, so go ask how to correct it, do it, and make sure I'm eager to have them inspect whatever failed on their next trip out to the house.

In the summer of 2010, I was installing tamper resistant outlets and hard wired smoke alarms on both floors while I was replacing all the sheathing + siding on the exterior of the house and upgrading the structural integrity of the 2x4 wood frame second floor. Moving less than 5 outlets while resizing some windows is how I ended up doing the wired smoke alarms, and two AFCI breakers. Was it outside the original project scope? Yes, but after they tacked the electrical on my permit, I pulled wire anywhere I wanted an outlet while the walls were open. Every outlet got inspected, some twice.

I'm fortunate that the inspectors have realized after a handful of small permits for my bouse that everything I do around the house is overkill. Like my hardie plank installed to Miami Dade county standards with 316L stainless screws through both planks and into the studs, and the impact windows intended for a high rise building.

When I recently began inquiring about installing a PV solar array, the inspector specifically stated the part of the code book the structural engineer needs to rely on when he does his calculations. The inspector and I then had a great chat about how to build a backyard DIY solar thermal collector and how inefficient an electric hot water heater is.

I've also had the local inspector everyone hates. Again, I got along fine with him because I asked questions up front. When he told me to do something some certain way, I did, like the sheathing nails 8" OC in the field and 6" OC along the edges of the 23/32" sheathing. When I got done and stood back to admire it all, that's a huge amount of nails that hurricane Andrew caused me to use, especially since my framing was all 12" OC! Do I regret having to use all those nails required by code? No. I will have no regrets when I'm riding out the next storm, the garage won't be coming apart, nor will the second floor!

 

[BFBOB]

Having approved plans doesn't necessarily fly. On one recent job my part was fire alarm. The approved plans called for smokes and heats by the elevator, elevator recall, and sprinkler flow switches. I suggested they also needed smokes and shutdowns on the RTU's, a pull station and some horn/strobes. GC said, it ain't on the plans, we ain't doing it. Enter the Fire Marshal (aka AHJ). First trip: Where's the pull station at the exit door? Oops. Second trip: Where are the horn/strobes? Third trip: whaddya mean the RTU smokes aren't connected to the alarm? And, if one trips it has to shut down all four. Don't care what the building department said, I is the Fire Marshall, and I Have Spoken. All this more than quadrupled the price.
Oh, the horselaugh: We had installed the fire alarm in the original building, to which this was an addition. I ran my plans by the fire marshall, they were approved, and I had zero problems with him. But, for the addition, the architect thought he knew better than the alarm co., and union labor was used, so my guys and I were only allowed to supervise. I shudder to think what all this is costing my longtime client.

 

[MJA502]

During a major renovation of a foreclosure property,we had a big problem with a roofer not completing the job. He subcontracted out some carpentry work and tried to do it without the proper permits. He was replacing 4 posts and a long header wrapped in cedar that was supporting a patio roof. He told the inspector that he just put new cedar wrap on the existing structure and therefor didn't get a permit. When the inspector told him to unwrap the posts,he was caught. Phone call after phone call to the roofer produced nothing even though we did owe a balance on the job.Everything just sat there for months until the roofing contractor applied for another permit to do a roof in the neighborhood. The building inspector told him he would get it as soon as our job was complete. Needless to say our job was completed with a finalized permit within 2 weeks. I really don't think he had the authority or legal right to do what he did,but I was very thankful. We were told by contractors that this inspector would ruin our lives. Quite the contrary,he kept everyone honest, and our job is finally done.

 

[rburke65]

Just got my certificate of occupancy and the inspectors were very helpful IF they think you are trying to do it right. My build inspector caught 3 or 4 things that either the build crew just hadn't gotten to yet or that were overlooked. I was very happy with the crew. But all in all, the inspections went very well. Not what I had anticipated after hearing some of the horror stories I have heard here.

 

[willymakeit]

A inspector is there to inspect for a mininium standard. Most are decent people. I ve dealt with lots of them in the last 35 years on projects across the U.S.
There is a lot to approach,your deleviery, and to realize that codes also have a lot of local restrictions. Being a know it all super wont get you what you need.

 

[ms fowler]

Just got my certificate of occupancy and the inspectors were very helpful IF they think you are trying to do it right. My build inspector caught 3 or 4 things that either the build crew just hadn't gotten to yet or that were overlooked. I was very happy with the crew. But all in all, the inspections went very well. Not what I had anticipated after hearing some of the horror stories I have heard here.

If you build it as if you were going to live in it, most inspetors appreciate that. They may find some items that need to be redone, but the correct attitude really helps. Codes do change, so what was OK 2 years ago, ( or across the county line) may not be OK now ( and here).