Electric Inspections - what is your experience?

[TiredDude]

What is the general process in your area/experience when getting an electric permit/inspection for a fairly small job - say grabbing power for a garage outlet, running emt and and adding 2 to 4 additional outlets.

Does the inspector generally just come and look over a job like this when you are done, or do they want to see the before/rough in/after?

I assume just come after you are done and look at the boxes?

What about something a little more complex but still basic - like adding a circuit for a run of recessed lights and related switches?

 

[IHI]

If new construct there's a process, and yes they need to check rough in to be sure wires are nailed off at certain intervals to code relating to that area. After rough in electrical, plumbing, hvac are passed, insulation installed and inspection called for that, if that passes drywall is hung and inspection is called in for that-to make sure nailing/screw schedule is adhered to on walls/ceilings and that proper thickness rock is installed where needed. yada yada then once everything is done they come back for final inspection (electrical) and that is where they stab every outlet to make sure they're wired/grounded correctly.

If your extending a circuit typically for us when we'd call them in, I'd permit the entire job, then my subs had to pull their specific field of permits (in this/your case electrical) and the work would be performed assuming there's ample space in the breaker box to add another circuit/circuit itself is not going to be overloaded if tieing into existing circuit, and work is completed. Then we call in inspector...depending on scope of work (if a bunch of small jobs were performed) they would send out a multi faceted inspector that could look at electrical, framing, etc...

Your best bet to keep your **** out of the ringer and possibly being forced to remove plaster/drywall to prove things were done right...call the city hall and ask before you start, explain what your doing and get an answer before you start...could save you a ton of time and material if worse case scenario happens.

 

[Rookie2]

call an inspection service and ask. google it for your town.

 

[TiredDude]

This would not be new construction. I can't imagine they would want to send someone out more than once for a simple addition of a couple outlets through EMT.

The adding a circuit maybe.

I just got a new load center installed and thinking of all I can do with the empty breaker slots.........

 

[Thumper68]

Here we don't need a inspection for anything under $500 or a permit either and adding what you stated would be way under that limit.

When I built the shop I called for a framing/ elec rough in inspection, and they just told me it's a garage that is not attached go ahead and close it in. When I was all done I called for the final inspection and they told me the same thing. Through out the whole process the only inspection that was done was the set back inspection before I even started the concrete forms.

PS I love the county my shop is in!!

Go pull a permit and build away, once the cash is in their pocket and if sewer is not involved they don't give a ****.

 

[Aceman]

If all you're doing is running circuits through emt surface mount, call them for a final when you're finished.

If you're running romex or pipe through studs before the sheetrock goes up, then you would need a rough-in inspection before it's covered up. Then a final inspection after sheetrock is up and painted, and all receps/devices are installed.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Usually 2 steps. Rough and final.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

call an inspection service and ask. google it for your town.

Huh? Hes not buying a house. He needs an electrical inspection from the building department!!

 

[2Big2Ride]

Huh? Hes not buying a house. He needs an electrical inspection from the building department!!

My town doesn't have a building department, they outsource everything to a private inspection firm. ...expect for collecting the money for the permit. Perhaps that was the reference. ...course, that also means there may not be anyone to call for assistance and guidance, as is my case.

 

[Highbeam]

We have a state agency that inspects electrical only.

For small stuff I call when I'm done with the work before drywall goes up IF it will be under drywall. No outlets installed. Only the GFCI outlet if it is needed to show the man that I know the rules. He does not come back for any sort of final.