Are you present for inspections?

[stevebea]

I prefer to be present.

Not to distract the person from the task at hand, but to make sure I know what is needed to be corrected. 99-44/100% of the time, it's something so simple & basic that it can be corrected before the inspector leaves. Missing 4S cover, or loose recep in the wall... little stuff like that.

I agree with 480sparky. Like you said many times its something simple and can be corrected while the inspector is there. If there is a problem it is going to require a return trip anyways, and maybe I'm old fashioned but I would prefer to have a face to face conversation with the inspector versus a phone conversation. I respect the fact that he has a job to do and I dont attempt to make small talk with him while he is inspecting but I make myself available if he does have a question.

 

[ivsenroute]

This question and poll was sparked by a recent situation where the EC called to schedule the inspection but when I arrived on time for the appointment, he nor any employees were present as this small service job was already completed.

The only person present was the homeowner who let me in to see the interior work.

The job failed for 2 reasons and it was put in writing and left with the homeowner who was the only one present.

The EC called to complain that I should have never left the paperwork with the homeowner and should have called him to let him know about the problems.

My position in this particular case ( I will call if asked ahead of time) was that if I was present when I was suppose to be and I took the time to inspect and put everything in writing, you should be there and not have the expectations that it is my job to call you when you fail an inspection.

If you are not present, the paperwork gets left on the jobsite with the homeowner, GC (if applicable) or your workers 9 (if present).

 

[ptonsparky]

If there is a problem I, or any EC, gets a letter from the SED stating the violation and given the time it must be corrected as well as the reinspection fee. Why leave the report with the GC, owner or anyone but the responsible party?

Is this a SOP for your area?

 

[jmellc]

Most of my jobs, I get paid after passing inspection. So I can get my check immediately afterward or later that day.

If the inspector has questions, I am there to answer them. If he finds a violation, I can usually fix it while he's there. If he sees a potential problem with my methods, etc. I am there to either defend my methods or get the point & know to do future projects differently. If he finds a violation & I'm not there, it means another inspection later.

Often the HO isn't home & I have keys to open the project for the inspector.

 

[electricguy61]

I like to be there for many of the reasons listed above, plus one: I'm proud of the work my guys and I do, and I like to put a face on the work. It buys respect and mutual trust between the inspector and my company, allowing us to fix small difficulties without re-inspection.

It can also keep the inspector honest when a less professional one attempts to invent a code requirement, and I can pull out my code book to prove my point.

 

[ivsenroute]

If there is a problem I, or any EC, gets a letter from the SED stating the violation and given the time it must be corrected as well as the reinspection fee. Why leave the report with the GC, owner or anyone but the responsible party?

Is this a SOP for your area?

No particular SOP but I think that the method you describe is a very slow method that is not conducive to business. If I had to go back at the end of every day and put together letters for every inspection then the EC had to wait to receive the letter and act on it, ......................wow, that would be very counter productive.

I am not saying that is a bad method but I don't think it is good for business.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I will respond as an inspector.

It is not required in my area for the electrician to be present for the inspection. It is the responsibility of the electrician to provide access to the project and provide lifts and ladders if necessary for the inspection.

If the electrician is present it is fine by me and it can be a benefit for the electrician as they can fix any minor violations that may be present so that they may not have to have a re-inspect.

If the electrician is not present I will write up a list of any violations and leave it on the job site.

Chris

I would pretty much agree that I do it this way too.

 

[cowboyjwc]

This question and poll was sparked by a recent situation where the EC called to schedule the inspection but when I arrived on time for the appointment, he nor any employees were present as this small service job was already completed.

The only person present was the homeowner who let me in to see the interior work.

The job failed for 2 reasons and it was put in writing and left with the homeowner who was the only one present.

The EC called to complain that I should have never left the paperwork with the homeowner and should have called him to let him know about the problems.

My position in this particular case ( I will call if asked ahead of time) was that if I was present when I was suppose to be and I took the time to inspect and put everything in writing, you should be there and not have the expectations that it is my job to call you when you fail an inspection.

If you are not present, the paperwork gets left on the jobsite with the homeowner, GC (if applicable) or your workers 9 (if present).

Of course the reason he did'nt want you to leave it with the HO is because he didn't want the HO to know that anything was wrong. I walked through a job awhile back with the HO and left a two page correction notice, (two pages isn't actually a lot as we use 6x9 correction notices that don't have a lot of room) don't remember what they all were, but I'm sure many could have been corrected on the spot, but the EC was to busy to meet with me. The HO fired the EC because he was convinced that he didn't know what he was doing. It was an EC that I've known for years so I knew that most of it was just over site, but the HO didn't see it that way.

 

[Buck Parrish]

In a large master bath I had all the lights on one circuit and labled it in the panel.
I had just got thier when the GC told me the inspector said the bath lights had to have afci protection.
Luckily I had just arrived, I was able to show the inspector that it was not required.

 

[jmellc]

Of course the reason he did'nt want you to leave it with the HO is because he didn't want the HO to know that anything was wrong. I walked through a job awhile back with the HO and left a two page correction notice, (two pages isn't actually a lot as we use 6x9 correction notices that don't have a lot of room) don't remember what they all were, but I'm sure many could have been corrected on the spot, but the EC was to busy to meet with me. The HO fired the EC because he was convinced that he didn't know what he was doing. It was an EC that I've known for years so I knew that most of it was just over site, but the HO didn't see it that way.

That's my thinking too. Some customers may understand a code oversight, some will not. If I meet with the inspector, I may be able to correct everything & the HO not even know about it. Or if he listens in, he can at least see these are quick & easy things to fix, minor stuff.

 

[ivsenroute]

Well it seems as though the majority is present and only a very small minority expect to be catered to, which prompted this poll. Thank you folks.