Final Inspections

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JoeNorm

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I live in a rural area, inspections are performed once a week. But no final is required and never has been as long as I've been aware. Is this the case elsewhere?

For example on new construction we get a rough-in inspection but that's it. It has always seems strange to me because there is a lot of screw ups to make between rough-in and trim. But inspectors generally fly here so I understand why they want to minimize trips.
 
As you might expect, NJ is a little more regular about this sort of thing. Municipalities often publish on their web sites a list of the sorts of things that require permits, and the schedule of what needs a rough and what doesn't. Surprisingly, the state is very strict about keeping local AHJ's in line. We have one state-wide code, no shirt-pocket rules allowed. And the DCA will come down on inspectors who get out of line.
 
I live in a rural area too. We have NO inspections. You can build a house or building they recently started making you get a building permit.
They make you get a soil sample for a septic system. But that's it.

They never come back out unless it's something to do about taxes.
 
In the areas I have worked a final is mandatory before the POCO will provide permanent service to the building.

Roger
 
Most usually we have rough-in and final for every trade at the same time

But a growing number of municipalities in the area are even requiring a screw inspection on the drywall before it gets mud and tape.
 
We can certainly request a final, I think a lot of high-end builds will do so for liability reasons. But it is not required.
 
JoeNorm said:
I live in a rural area, inspections are performed once a week. But no final is required and never has been as long as I've been aware. Is this the case elsewhere?

For example on new construction we get a rough-in inspection but that's it. It has always seems strange to me because there is a lot of screw ups to make between rough-in and trim. But inspectors generally fly here so I understand why they want to minimize trips.
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Not much different than receiving a final before permanent power is installed. Our area was giving finals before permenant power a few years ago until the light bulb finally lit up in someones head. Oh and yes ,the screw ups you mentioned definitely reared their heads.😳
 
Safety is secondary to what inspections are actually for, number one is tax revenue. If you build something, they want to know about it so taxes can be adjusted. That’s probably what the OP’s area is doing.
 
There is a guy here that does work in New York City. He posted some pictures of his work to illustrate his question. Nothing to do with his question but I noticed several violations like cables not stapled or fastened. When I mentioned it he said he doesn't worry about things like that, there are no rough inspections because the inspectors are too busy. New York City!

-Hal
 
Here, we have a rough-in inspection. After rough-in, you either provide power through a generator or sometimes an extension cord (depending on what's connected), or we get what is called a "service release". The SR allows power to be turned on to finish the building and also for final inspection. The SR is only good for 45 days. They will allow extensions (with additional permits) a few times but if a final is not done after the SR expires the POCO will remove power. So we HAVE to get a final inspection or no power!
 
Greentagger said:
Not much different than receiving a final before permanent power is installed. Our area was giving finals before permenant power a few years ago until the light bulb finally lit up in someones head. Oh and yes ,the screw ups you mentioned definitely reared their heads.😳
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Our local inspector wants the panel covers on for the final, he will take them off. The local poco will sometimes connect before he gets out there, and he doesn’t want an open, possibly live panel.
 
hbiss said:
There is a guy here that does work in New York City. He posted some pictures of his work to illustrate his question. Nothing to do with his question but I noticed several violations like cables not stapled or fastened. When I mentioned it he said he doesn't worry about things like that, there are no rough inspections because the inspectors are too busy. New York City!

-Hal
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That's correct NYC does not have rough-in inspections. You should see some of the shoddy work that goes on with MC cable.
 
gadfly56 said:
Surprisingly, the state is very strict about keeping local AHJ's in line. We have one state-wide code, no shirt-pocket rules allowed. And the DCA will come down on inspectors who get out of line.
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I wish this was true in my area. I have to deal with 13 different permitting authorities (in three counties). They each do the job a little differently. Some of these have a chief electrical inspector I can complain to, but there is no higher authority to help me out when he goes off the reservation. Some of the offices just have one guy who's word is law. I would love a statewide permitting and inspection system.

My area pretty much requires a permit for anything other than a light switch, light fixture, or ceiling fan install (existing box). Roughs and finals for almost everything. I would love no inspections for MY work. I know it's NEC compliant. But there are so many trunk slammers around here that I hesitate to wish for no inspections. Every once in a while they get caught and an inspection proves the work sucks and must be redone by someone qualified. Licensing and inspections are a financial advantage for my business.

On the plus side, I can do most permitting and inspection requests online. Inspections are generally the next day. I don't have to be present most of the time.
 
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Coppersmith said:
I wish this was true in my area. I have to deal with 13 different permitting authorities (in three counties).
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😅😅😅😅😅
Kansas City Metro has 167 cities in 14 counties, 2 states.

The oldest code adoption I know of is 2002
The newest I know of is 2017
Most seem to be on 2011 but they are updating rapidly because of some kind of federal money involved

The aforementioned municipality that's still on 2002 will remain that way until this fall, when they are slated to update all the way to the 2017

I've almost completely giving up on trying to keep track of who's doing what. If I don't work there at least a few times every month, I call and ask what code cycle they are on and if they have any amendments

Add in the various requirements for smoke detectors from one municipality to another and it's impossible to keep track
 

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Mass requires a rough inspection with no service, a service inspection and a final.

MA has always been fairly strict and has 1 state wide code but some towns flout the rules

Every town is supposed to issue a paper permit but some don't give you a thing. Your only proof is a cancelled check and if the inspector leaves a tag

A lot o town only take applications on line and issue permits on line, there still supposed to give you a paper permit if you wan't but they don't
 
hillbilly1 said:
Safety is secondary to what inspections are actually for, number one is tax revenue. If you build something, they want to know about it so taxes can be adjusted. That’s probably what the OP’s area is doing.
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Not the case here where State inspectors have jurisdiction. They have no affiliation whatsoever with the city/county taxing authorities or other building code officials for that matter. Their operating budget doesn't come from taxpayers either, it it entirely from the fees they charge for permits, licensing, and reinspections (when needed) or other penalties they are legally allowed to charge for. Their funds do get processed through state treasurer but do not originate from any taxes.
 
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