Coming soon to So Cali...A new inspector

Status
Not open for further replies.
mxslick

mxslick

Senior Member
Location
SE Idaho
After over 26 years in the cinema biz, I'm contemplating the idea of becoming an (building) electrical inspector...

I have a good friend who is an inspector and he is always amazed at how I can pull up Code references (I admit I'm a geek and will read the NEC as a bedtime book... :D ) and spot violations..so he suggested I take the tests and get my certification.

I am currently looking into the costs and what classes I will need to take. I want to do it right, so it may take a while, but I feel it will be worth it and a new challenge.

Anyone who has taken this path and would like to offer comments or advice, I'd love to hear from you.
 
Pierre C Belarge

Pierre C Belarge

Senior Member
Location
Westchester County, New York
The Electrical Inspection portion of the industry is not much different than any other job/career.

There are good days and bad days.
You will not only deal with the contractors/their men.

You will run into building officials, insurance people, engineers, building owners, property owners, political types, Fire marshals, Home Inspectors, realtors and others who pop out of the woodwork when the install is not as some think it should be.

You will also run into installers who know more about the install than you may have imagined...those are the good days, as they will teach you more in 15 minutes than a day in class can.

Hearing "stories" can be the best part of the day and the worst part of the day.

All in All, it can be rewarding if you decide to take the job to help the people who need you.
 
mxslick

mxslick

Senior Member
Location
SE Idaho
Why did I know this question was coming?...

Why did I know this question was coming?...

iwire said:
You will have to accept MWBCs .... can you do that? :grin:
Click to expand...


LOL did I just feel my chain being pulled? :grin:

(For those who don't know, Bob and I have had some very spirited discussions on the use of MWBC's.)

To answer iwire's question, absolutely. I really have no problem with MWBC's in the right applications. I even used them in the past on some projects which did not have audio equipment involved.

It's only on my sound racks that I have the spec that prohibits them. :wink:

Infinity:
My last stint as an electrician was back in 1995. My current job has me working closely with electrical contractors and I do all my own HV (120 and 208v) wiring for my projectors and sound systems (in the racks and projector unit that is.) I thankfully have never been "red-tagged" and have had only a few minor corrections issued over the last 12 years or so. On the install I'm wrapping now, the EC was very impressed with my work and knowledge and offered me a job with them. :grin:

Pierre:
Thank you for the kind words and input on what to expect. My friend has also related many stories and it is the great variety of things that happen that made me get interested in this idea.

I do aspire to be firm but fair and willing to not just spit out Code references but also offer helpful information on how to correct any issues, and I especially look forward to gaining more knowledge from those in the trades. My own dealings in my current job with inspectors have always been very pleasant and resulted in a lot of learning on both sides.

Russ:

LOL thank you and I hope my paduan learner follows in my footsteps. :D
 
Last edited:
mxslick

mxslick

Senior Member
Location
SE Idaho
Bob, I sincerely thank you for you support. I have always found our exchanges very informative, I have learned a lot from you and the other fine folks here. :cool:

I currently have a lot of work in my current trade right now, so as I'd said in my first post, it may be a while before I actually do get things in order, but it is something I'm really looking forward to. :D
 
sandsnow

sandsnow

Senior Member
Location
Southern California
mxslick said:
After over 26 years in the cinema biz, I'm contemplating the idea of becoming an (building) electrical inspector...

I have a good friend who is an inspector and he is always amazed at how I can pull up Code references (I admit I'm a geek and will read the NEC as a bedtime book... :D ) and spot violations..so he suggested I take the tests and get my certification.
Click to expand...

That should be re-written (electrical) building inspector. Depending on the AHJ you work for, you will more than likely be doing combination inspection even in commercial. Maybe not at first, but that is the way of the future.

I'll give you a scenario: You write a correction that is clear cut. The correction will cause the owner to miss his move in date.

Question: Can you handle your boss letting the owner get away with not fixing the correction so the owner can keep his move in date?

Answer:
Yes - then go for it
No - Think hard about it. That is the reality. It may not happen on every job, but it will happen. From little things up to big things.

There was recently an entry level inspector position in Huntington Beach. Over 100 applicants.

Get every certification in every discipline known to man. Not kidding here. Gotta set yourself above the rest. Lots of people have the big four, building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical. Get more than that.

Find out about all written and unwritten policies and procedures for the AHJ you apply to. You will sometimes be competing against a "ringer" who already has a temp spot.

You are going to need 3 to 5 years journey level experience as an inspector or equivalent in the trades.

Take some "dealing with problem people classes".
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top