Working with Building Inspectors (cont.)

 

A Valuable Process In Your Building

You probably won’t be required to be on site when inspections are performed, but I think it’s a good idea to be there if you have the chance and if you can find out the inspector’s schedule. 

It’s a good opportunity to learn, and if there’s something that needs to be corrected, it’s better to know it immediately.  If something does need correction, I prefer to hear that in person rather than rely on his written description.  That helps to prevent doing more than you actually have to.

Always follow up after an inspection has been requested, either if by you, or by a subcontractor.

I’ve had lost time on jobs because a subcontractor forgot to turn in his inspection request, or had the request lost between the inspector’s office and the inspector himself.

 
Ask the inspector’s office how long it normally takes between request for and performance of the inspection and keep track of it.

 

Your inspector’s office may offer a website which features online records of inspections ─ type, date, status, etc.  It’s a handy tool.  Use it if available.