Building inspector never showed.

[Firebrick43]

I still fail to see what applying for a permit even does other than take my money. I'm hoping one day we will sway back the other direction and do away with this nonsense. It wasn't that long ago most things didn't need a permit

They keep your wiring from making your transformer glow!

 

[FredWanaker]

my last inspection the guy looked at the work I had done, asked me how I was going to do the rest specifically, then said he was happy with that and signed off on it. Said just make sure I stood to my word and plans. I had a couple subs involved too and he said he never had trouble with them either so he was totally fine with it. In comparison I think a nearby project the guy was out two or three times for each step.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I can't disagree but making life miserable for the inspector is one method of moving things along. It's who you know and what you know. I'd pay the money to have the inspector's life researched. Knowledge is power. A call to the senior official at the AJH with a logical and legitimate complaint is not what the official wants. A call to someone above him is warranted. I'd join the inspector's church if he goes. I'd eat where he eats. IOW, I'd make my presence known, time permitting. If he is divorced, call his ex, you never know what she may tell you. I'd want to know about arrests and other public records. I like to intimidate like a J.R. Ewing.

There's nothing more satisfying than calling code enforcement on a issue at an inspector's house.

If you can get things done friendly like, that's the easy way. Life isn't easy so I take preemptive action and am ready. Drop a hint. Also, if you can afford to build anything, you can afford to donate some money in the name of the person you want to have on your side. Could be their political fund, could be their church. $500 is a reasonable amount and gets attention. There can be limits so know what you are doing.

If you are **** like **** is ****, expect this to take forever.

They keep your wiring from making your transformer glow!

And yet that transformer is still on the pole doing just fine

 

[reader2580]

I had the weather head and incoming wires to the meter box, the meter box, and my whole electrical panel replaced at my last house. The electrician pulled the meter, cut the service line, clamped on temporary power, and did all of the work with just a phone call to the inspector. The inspector came out near the end of the day and popped the meter back in without looking at any of the work.

The power company locally will reconnect power to a new meter base without an inspection if a licensed electrician did the work. If a homeowner does the work (as permitted by state law) then the electrical inspector has to sign off before power can be reconnected.

The local inspector was great to work with when I replaced my meter base and did some other electrical work. Work went past my appointment time and the inspector had no problem coming back an hour later. The main reason it took longer than planned was I bought the wrong conduit (schedule 80 would not work) and finding schedule 40 2.5" conduit in stock in late 2020 was a challenge.

 

[Spud McGee]

Our town hires an outside company to do inspections. If it's a minor outdoor project, the owner doesn't have to be there. I got my shed inspected and passed while I was at work.

My inspector inspected my pole barn footings over text message by having me txt him some pictures. Then i didnt see him till he showed up to sign off on the framing and final inspection all at once. He was there in my dark building for 5 mins and signed me offp

 

[Beau Nugget]

When we built our house, an eight month long project, the inspector never once came by. My builder kept saying he hoped the inspector would come by so he could talk to him. As far as I’m concerned, the permitting/fees was nothing more than a shakedown/revenue generating scam run by the city.

 

[JRC3]

First thing I'd do is call the office and or inspector and let them know who pays their salaries.

 

[MushCreek]

It amazes me how much difference there is from one jurisdiction to another, which means that for the OP, he's just going to have to get the answers straight from the horse's mouth. A buddy of mine built in rural TN, and the only permit and inspection required was for septic. Here in rural SC, the permit for the barn was $80, and for the house it was $400. Fill out a one page form, write a check, and you're good to go in about 15 minutes.

 

[reader2580]

My first house was a custom build and a large part of the second floor was left unfinished to save money. I later finished that area. I called for an inspection on the rough electrical. The inspector showed up and was finished with his inspection in less than 30 seconds. He said it looks like you know what you are doing and headed back to his car. He spent more time walking from his car and back than doing the inspection.

 

[tipsy]

OP please let us now the final outcome if the inspector ever shows up

 

[PoorUB]

My first house was a custom build and a large part of the second floor was left unfinished to save money. I later finished that area. I called for an inspection on the rough electrical. The inspector showed up and was finished with his inspection in less than 30 seconds. He said it looks like you know what you are doing and headed back to his car. He spent more time walking from his car and back than doing the inspection.

Rough inspection for electrical? He probably only needed 30 seconds to take a quick look. Seriously, how much was there to see?

I used to have HVAC inspections that lasted that long! But I can tell you I can walk into a mechanical room and in 2 seconds figure out the installer is a hack or has some merit. A quick look will tell me if a longer look was required.

 

[dogdog]

Bigger bribe from someone else.

There is some truth to this, not just in Texas. I have an upgrade inspection in both electrical meters and oil to gas steam heating... The inspector showed up. but refused to sign off, never sighted any violation on the installs or failed it. 6 months later the contractor finally got the permit signed off... what ever they did, probably the guy was unhappy with his payoff.. different city inspectors different scenarios. POS corrupted system.

 

[BFBOB]

I still fail to see what applying for a permit even does other than take my money. I'm hoping one day we will sway back the other direction and do away with this nonsense. It wasn't that long ago most things didn't need a permit

Case in point - my house: HVAC guy came out to check the compressor/condensor unit. I told him have at it; I'll go turn off the breaker. As I was coming back up from the basement, he came boiling at me cussing up a storm and holding a singed finger. but, but, but, I really did turn off the breaker- and it's not like I could get the wrong one, there's only one 220 breaker in the box!! He calmed down a bit when he saw that was right. Okay, let's pull the front off. And there it was -- the wires firmly attached to the main breaker ON THE STREET SIDE!!

I was getting ready to replace the breaker box anyway, but dawdling because I can't do that myself- county regs. That accelerated the job, and a couple of weeks later I had him back out to do the AC job.

OKAY? That's the kind of **** that can kill people and burn down buildings.

 

[jkuro]

Case in point - my house: HVAC guy came out to check the compressor/condensor unit. I told him have at it; I'll go turn off the breaker. As I was coming back up from the basement,

There should have been a disconnect switch next to the outside unit. If the only one is in the basement it's wired wrong. Your HVAC guy should have known this.

 

[beemerphile]

First thing I'd do is call the office and or inspector and let them know who pays their salaries.

 

[PCustoms]

There should have been a disconnect switch next to the outside unit. If the only one is in the basement it's wired wrong. Your HVAC guy should have known this.

And he should have metered it to check it was off before shocking himself

 

[beemerphile]

And he should have metered it to check it was off before shocking himself

And he shouldn't have cursed. That's rude.

 

[reader2580]

Rough inspection for electrical? He probably only needed 30 seconds to take a quick look. Seriously, how much was there to see?

I used to have HVAC inspections that lasted that long! But I can tell you I can walk into a mechanical room and in 2 seconds figure out the installer is a hack or has some merit. A quick look will tell me if a longer look was required.

I expected more than the inspector looking into a 600 square foot space and declaring everything fine from the entrance way without even being able to see everything. I expected he might actually walk through the space before he declared it good. I wasn't expecting a half an hour inspection, but I was figuring it might take a couple of minutes rather than thirty seconds.

 

[bigdav160]

40 years ago I had small framing/cornice crew and we worked as subs building everything from multi unit apartments, quad/duplexes and even large custom homes. In that 5 year period I never saw an inspector once. AFAIK, all those buildings are still standing, and nobody has been injured or killed by the workmanship. I think the statements that trades are intentionally going to cut corners must be a cultural thing.

I know things have changed. Even in Texas. Money corrupts everywhere.

My rural county has no inspection department and does not require inspection (some larger towns might). Some counties flood control has become a big thing and there has been focus on building elevations and rainwater retention. IIRC, Harris County, one of the largest home building inspection is provided by independent contractors and not by the county. So if you're building a new custom home and want it inspected you have to seek out your own.

 

[JRC3]

What? You gotta let cops know that too when they pull you over. LOL

 

[Hobby_Man22]

OP please let us now the final outcome if the inspector ever shows up

Well he closed out the permit. I think he may have came the next day or maybe already passed by while inspecting something else. Maybe they drive by periodically just to check things even though you didn't schedule for them to come out. who knows.

 

[BFBOB]

There should have been a disconnect switch next to the outside unit. If the only one is in the basement it's wired wrong. Your HVAC guy should have known this.

There was NO disconnect in the basement. NONE> it was wired straight to the meter, the street, the POCO!!!
Get it now? Yes, the HVAC guy should have been more careful- but as it happens it's a good thing since he just barely got a knuckle nipped - that led to finding the potentially killing error and getting it fixed.

 

[dcg9381]

I waited all day for this guy, because they don't give you a heads up before they show up. Why do they schedule you for a certain day of they don't show?

You gonna file a complaint with his employer? I'm not. Ever.
I'm gonna buy him a case of beer and be happy about it.
And hope I never see him again.

 

[dcg9381]

I still fail to see what applying for a permit even does other than take my money. I'm hoping one day we will sway back the other direction and do away with this nonsense. It wasn't that long ago most things didn't need a permit

I would definitely agree that permits that are required (and fees) paid without a required inspection are simply "taxation" in disguise.

Is a permit that has an inspection taxation? In my experience, I'd say that's not the case most of the time.

History has shown that our ability to simply and untangle government regulation is near zero.

I've paid "substantially more" money for property that is not subject to (most) inspections and will continue to do so.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

You gonna file a complaint with his employer? I'm not. Ever.
I'm gonna buy him a case of beer and be happy about it.
And hope I never see him again.

Not since he passed me lmao.

 

[ScottsGT]

I’ll go one better. I live on a lake owned by a power company. For obvious reasons any dock has to be permitted, inspected and gets a permit plate to attach to the front of the dock.

Modifications are being done on the dam due to adding flood gates so the lake has been lowered about 5’ below normal levels. Power company knows everyone will be wanting to do repairs so they enacted a $350 permit fee even if you simply replace one board.
Don’t get the permit? They double the cost and tell you to remove the offending board and they will come back out when they have time.
It’s all a money grab. I have a dock stringer that runs from one anchored post to the other I have to replace. I’ll be aging and staining the board before it goes in.
I did install a temporary set of stairs to get from the fixed dock to the floater around the pontoon boat so we can get grand kids down safely.

 

[dogdog]

“First thing I'd do is call the office and or inspector and let them know who pays their salaries.”

You really don’t want to pissed inspectors off especially in small or medium towns. Chances are, you might be dealing with their cousins/brother lover. Well you get the drift. It’s corrupted as fak.

 

[JRC3]

“First thing I'd do is call the office and or inspector and let them know who pays their salaries.”


You really don’t want to pissed inspectors off especially in small or medium towns. Chances are, you might be dealing with their cousins/brother lover. Well you get the drift. It’s corrupted as fak.

I'd let him know I'd have his job or I'll call my lawyer and sew. I pay my taxes!

 

[dogdog]

I'd let him know I'd have his job or I'll call my lawyer and sew. I pay my taxes!

Dependents if you have any further inspections you need them in the future. It’s dark and corrupted gobernment. Some are are ok, some not so much. I have lived in enough towns to say yeah that’s fak up

 

[JRC3]

Dependents if you have any further inspections you need them in the future. It’s dark and corrupted gobernment. Some are are ok, some not so much. I have lived in enough towns to say yeah that’s fak up

...Next step...Bang Inspector's wife.

 

[dogdog]

...Next step...Bang Inspector's wife.

Sometimes some of them sobs, yes.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

...Next step...Bang Inspector's wife.

If he's really a ****, she's probably already banging the pool boy.

 

[reader2580]

You really don’t want to pissed inspectors off especially in small or medium towns. Chances are, you might be dealing with their cousins/brother lover. Well you get the drift. It’s corrupted as fak.

In Minnesota, electrical inspections are a state function. Electrical inspectors need some sort of certification from the state. Large cities may have electrical inspectors on staff, but most cities contract with a private electrical inspector for electrical inspections. There is a state website to sign up for an electrical permit and the state sends the information to the electrical inspector for your city.

The electrical inspector for my city said he would not allow homeowners to install their own solar because it cost him too much time educating homeowners on solar systems and they always failed. I talked to the state and they said he can't stop me from doing my own solar installation. I decided not to pursue the matter any further because I didn't want the electrical inspector mad at me. He could nitpick every electrical project I did from then on and find a silly reason to fail me every time. They normally are not measuring everything, but he could and fail me because I was an 1/8" off which no reasonable inspector would fail anyone for.

The local inspector retired and the new inspector said no issue with homeowner solar installations. Yes, I failed the first inspection, but it was not bad wiring. (First, and only, electrical inspection I have failed.) I had conduit runs that were not supported every three feet. I had been running the solar for a good nine months by the time I got the final inspection done. I had to have a rough-in inspection done because of the 150 foot trench I dug and I passed that just fine.

 

[KEH]

Sometimes I have trouble with medical appointments, having to climb the telephone tree, prescriptions, etc. I have found that a trip to the office and a talk with the woman that knows what's going on, I. E., the receptionist, works wonders. Perhaps a personal visit to the office would work with the bureaucrats.

KEH

 

[Toolfool]

I just started as a building Inspector in a small town and am looking to learn as much as possible while here to eventually move up into bigger cities/areas. I've been looking at the ICC website and some others to try and figure out how to best get certified and just confused the hell out of myself...any advice you guys could give, do I need to buy ALL the Code Books, or not really? The city will pay for training and books/materials, just got to figure out where and how to get started. Thanks in advance for any advice!

IMO, experience in a related field is (or should be) necessary to be an inspector. I've come across several inspectors who have never framed, but try to dictate how something should have been done.

 

[PCustoms]

I just started as a building Inspector in a small town and am looking to learn as much as possible while here to eventually move up into bigger cities/areas. I've been looking at the ICC website and some others to try and figure out how to best get certified and just confused the hell out of myself...any advice you guys could give, do I need to buy ALL the Code Books, or not really? The city will pay for training and books/materials, just got to figure out where and how to get started. Thanks in advance for any advice!

How did you start as a building inspector for a town without any certifications?

Do you work for the town, or are you doing home inspections for private contracts?

 

[bb29510]

i got a ICC master special inspector cert

 

[Mike65]

Here in southern Virginia we have been fortunate, the women who work in the inspection department have been great to deal with, & even the inspectors have been good.

 

[billconner]

I just started as a building Inspector in a small town and am looking to learn as much as possible while here to eventually move up into bigger cities/areas. I've been looking at the ICC website and some others to try and figure out how to best get certified and just confused the hell out of myself...any advice you guys could give, do I need to buy ALL the Code Books, or not really? The city will pay for training and books/materials, just got to figure out where and how to get started. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I think you'll find the subscription - web based - to all the documents very useful. There is also a lot of education that comes with committee work and attending hearings. You'll be exposed to concepts and ideas that aren't published and have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the best and brightest code geeks.

 

[NDJ]

40 years ago I had small framing/cornice crew and we worked as subs building everything from multi unit apartments, quad/duplexes and even large custom homes. In that 5 year period I never saw an inspector once. AFAIK, all those buildings are still standing, and nobody has been injured or killed by the workmanship. I think the statements that trades are intentionally going to cut corners must be a cultural thing.

UH OH !. rancherbill will be along shortly to tell you those buildings are dangerously unsafe.