Acknowledging a cool inspector.

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physis

physis

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This is the second time I've encountered this particular inspector, let's call him Mike, in the area I'm working in lately, let's call that South San Francisco.

I've been told he's the meanest there is. I've found it to be the exact contrary.

I left him a message today and received a rather prompt returned call. My message was regarding a specific code question and he said to me that he returns "every" call that references a code or some other specific parameter.

We exchanged a couple more calls and he's sincerely interested in getting it right and trying to see things from the other guy's perspective.

We beat on the bad ones here a lot, but this time I'm acknowledging a good one. 8)

I really don't see why people around here complain about him.
 
We have an inspector here that has a real reputation for being a hard case. While I will admit that he is a stickler, he is fair and consistent. Wonder of wonders! If you stop cussing him under your breath long enough to actually talk to him, you find out he is a nice guy. He genuinely wants to pass inspections so long as they are safe. He doesn't mind questions and gives well thought out answers.
The "nice" inspector here on the other hand, has made me consider becoming a lawyer or the port-a-can man a couple of times.
 
It's good to hear about the good ones. A bad run of inspections can make the whole system seem hopeless, so it's good to hear proper passes and fails are being issued by someone qualified. :)
 
One of the 1st inspectors I had dealings with wrote a violation on 1st job I did in his area. It was on workmanship. I had to go back out to the job and meet him. As it turned out; I had missed installing 1 receptacle. Home owner had boxes stacked in front of opening and I missed it.
But I digress too much. Mostly he just wanted to meet me. He liked to know the people doing work in his area. He said it made his job easier because if he knew them and they would communicate with him; things went more smoothly for him and the EC.

He became 1 of my mentors and on many occasions helped me deal with inspectors in other jurisdictions. There are a lot of great inspectors out there. Unfortunately there are some bad ones too. The bad ones seem to be a lot more noticeable though.

To all you great inspectors. Thanks for a great job!
 
I still think ALL electrical inspectors are jerks... and nobody is going to change my mind. :p

This stuff works both ways. There are a lot of bad electricians out there, but there are plenty of good ones as well. Most of the work I inspect isn't worthy of any special recognition or comment. Every once and awhile, I come across some really nice work that I can really appreciate. I am not opposed to telling a contractor or electrician they have done a good job.
 
I have been fortunate in that I have not yet ran into any inspectors who I would consider an ******* sob type. I get along great with people and with the inspectors. Although I did have one just last week try to brow beat me down on a job, but I just smiled real purty like and told her the truth, as I knew it at the time, and got my job passed. As it turned out later, I found out that she was was right when she pointed to a whole mess of cables that were under my area to demo. I did end up doing the demo after the fact after I talked to the GC on the job. But either way, I got my ceiling cover. :D
 
Nice to hear of a good one. Beats they guy I called the other day. "I'll be there after 11" he says. Can you narrow it down I ask. "Between 11-5" was the reply. Can you be a little more specific so I can make sure I or somebody will be there? I ask. His answer...I'm giving you a five hour window what do want from me?"
Ok what about tomorrow I'll meet you at any time so we can get this done, I say. "I'll be doing inspections either in the morning or the after noon tomorrow" was the answer. UGH :roll:

Useless municipal employee hired soley to serve the public. :x
 
most inspectors in my area treat me pretty good but i ran into couple mean ones but the good one i ran into they show me respect and i did show the respect to them.

I have to laugh on this one one inspector whom i know him very well the funny thing the GC was working on one item when the inspector show up unannouced and ask the GC who is the electrician to work on this one and the GC reply saying it was frenchy guy and the inspector say "ahh a good wise craker guy but need a notepad scribbed in french say "tres bien "

i just laugh when the GC try to read the roit act to me i just 8) be cool that all


Merci, Marc
 
electricmanscott, I am often asked what time I will be at the job for a inspection, It is not easy to give a specific time but I agree that a 5 hr. window is a little much. I find that a cellphone takes care of this problem.
I call the electrician via cellphone and leave a window convieient to both of us.

I am firm believer that there should mutual respect between the electrician and the inspector. I never turn a job down for a NEC violation unless I can site the NEC section that has been violated, and I offer the electrician the oppertunity to find a exception that would make me change my mind.

Show me someone that doesn't make a mistake and I will show you someone that is not doing anything. romeo
 
Some inspectors will bend over backwards to accomodate us while others will go totally out of thier way to create problems.I know one that even if there with him will not allow a nail plate to be added in order to pass.This is in an area that has been 3,4 days out on inspections for almost 2 years.I`m sure Jim W knows who i mean the little chubby fellow with the cookie duster.I have seen him call the pluming inspector when a plumber was replacing a leaking flush valve on a toilet.Screaming they are doing work without a permit.I also know some that will call and say hey you need a receptacle I marked the location it`s signed off git er done.
 
I can usually get an agreed time from an inspector but not before having a liitle history with him or her, and certainly not by going through the office.
 
In a large town the chief inspectors often are building a case to have the inspector terminated so always be quick to complain if you can back it up They need your help.

If the inspector is good & becomes a friend, drop the envelope for them.
Let him have the keys to the beach house for his family for the weekend.
If he likes cigars ... share your Cubans with him.
Nice Lunches Dinners Drinks!
Anything you'd do for any close friend.

We were stoped from "treating" inspectors. But we can call after hours for utility reconnects to the inspectors at home & they get overtime AT THE TAX PAYERS expense!

Actually I have the best inspectors money will buy!
 
77401 said:
In a large town the chief inspectors often are building a case to have the inspector terminated so always be quick to complain if you can back it up They need your help.

If the inspector is good & becomes a friend, drop the envelope for them.
Let him have the keys to the beach house for his family for the weekend.
If he likes cigars ... share your Cubans with him.
Nice Lunches Dinners Drinks!
Anything you'd do for any close friend.

We were stoped from "treating" inspectors. But we can call after hours for utility reconnects to the inspectors at home & they get overtime AT THE TAX PAYERS expense!

Actually I have the best inspectors money will buy!
Click to expand...


This has to be the most disgusting thing I have ever read on this board. Please tell me it is a joke.
 
I agree with you scott, besides disgusting, it has to be one of the most stupid posts ever on this site, congratulations 77401, IMO there is no place in this industry for contractors or inspectors who think that is business as usual, I also hope this is a joke.
 
I've never seen this. Essentially the relationships I've had with inspectors were and are based on mutual respect.
 
It is truly ridiculos but I did have a chance in NYC to actually see this type of conduct happen first hand.True it was almost 25 years ago but it was a common thing that was expected on each and every inspection.If it didn`t happen the job just didn`t pass plain and simple as it was.I can only hope that this day and age this type of behavior still doesn`t occur but like I said it was 25 years ago and I have stayed away from that area since leaving.
The worst part was I watched an inspector get a check from my employer at the time and that was the craziest thing I have ever seen.I am so glad all I have to deal with are inspectors that actually do thier job even though sometimes I curse them for misinterpetting the NEC but I would rather deal with an honest authority than deal with an authority that passes a job on the dollars given rather than the work done.
To the inspectors on this forum this is in no way shape or form a statement against you unless you are the type to act in this manner but I guess there are still the types out there that do act this way and they should be prosecuted and publiclly flogged for this type of conduct :twisted: To the inspectors that actually do there job keep it up ,it does keep the rest of us on our toes :wink:
 
I have met our inspectors on the job and asked them if I should bring the permit and check. NO Mail it or drop it off at the office. We don't take money in the field!

I suspect 77401 is being quite sarcastic. And if he's not...
 
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