Inspector leaves company

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mjf

mjf

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The incredible, yet very expensive, Hudson Valley,
My buddy buys his grandmothers house (erected about 1860). I completely rewire it. I call inspector "A", who works for inspection company "XXXXX". Inspector "A" does rough-in inspection, gives me my sticker, and recieves payment for company "XXXXX". (Payment covers rough-in and final inspections.)

I finish, I call inspector "A" for final. Inspector "A" says, I no longer work for company "XXXXX", I've started my own company but I'll still do the final inspection (at no additional cost). He does inspection.

HERE'S THE PROBLEM-

Inspector "A"'s new company is not on the towns list of acceptable inspection agency's, therefor his inspection, and sticker, is of no use to me.

Call to company "XXXXX". they say they'll send out inspector "B", BUT since inspector "B" didn't do rough-in, he'll have to go through everything (which took about five minutes) with a fine tooth comb and the fee is going to be twice the original fee!!

Final electric is only thing holding up C of O, and friends who are tearing thier house down to rebuild are waiting to rent, so I pay fee, get inspected, get sticker, get C of O.

My buddy paid all inspection fee's (original $75, and then $150) so I'm not out any money, but he is. It's not a whole lot of money, but it's the principal. It doesn't seem right. It's not our fault that inspector "A" left company "XXXXX".


Sorry about the ramblin'. Just had to relate this experience.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

Take the inspection company to the State board, or small claims court.

You will do everyone who is ethical a favor.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

That's the rub when you pay for rough and finish up front.

It's bad enough when you pay for rough up front and they flake on rough. Of course most will take excess on rough so even if they do rough and not finish they're on the fat side.

So sorry :)
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

If you paid rough and final to company xxxxx it is them that owes the final inspection.Was the check not payable to xxxxx.The fact that inspector A quit is not your problem or the home owners.Now if company xxxxx went out of buisness then your had.Report and or sue them if the facts are as stated.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

Mike,

Do they not have a building department in your area that performs inspections as a function of community development?

I've certainly heard of private inspection agencies, but not those that supersede the government body. :confused:
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

My brother's company does trenchless piping replacements. Since it's like rough and finish on same day they need an inspector and/or engineer to certify the compaction, etc.

When they relied on City inspectors they had to pay a fee to the city engineers and the city engineers gave them a huge window of when they would do the inspection. This meant the crew was idle waiting for inspection, or they had to go to another job then come right back when the job was good for closure.

Turns out for the same price a private engineer/inspector will come out and sit on the job for a specified 2-hour window. That way when it's ready for closure the crew can keep going without stopping for an inspection.

It's a win/win.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

I can understand getting engineering approval for complex installations or for special circumstances, but not private inspector for typical electrical installtions.

I believe here in Florida, private building / home inspectors are not recognized or certified by the Department of Professional Regulation. Home owners and realtors are free to use private inspectors for the purposes of appraisal and insurance issues, but certainly not for work performed.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

I was a State Certified A Class Electrical Inspector. I used my own equipment, car, computer, cameras, tools and office.

I contracted with private individuals, Federal Government Agencies, like BPA Bonneyville. Cities and Counties. School Districts, Housing projects.

Essentially the overload from other jurisdictions.

I had to carry high insurance and charged from 50 to 65 dollars per hour. I averaged a thousand hours per year.
 
Re: Inspector leaves company

Originally posted by bphgravity:
Mike,

Do they not have a building department in your area that performs inspections as a function of community development?

I've certainly heard of private inspection agencies, but not those that supersede the government body. :confused:
Click to expand...
In my area, the town building inspectors will inspect footings, framing, insulation, drywall, roofing, etc. Some towns have a seperate town plumbing inspector. The town building departments DO NOT inspect electric. Each town will provide a list of accepted electrical inspection agencies.

Prior to this (bad) experience, I had always used the same inspector/agency(YYYYY) that has been accepted in every town I've ever worked in. When I write check at completion of rough-in and inspector hands me rough-in sticker, the fee I paid has always covered my final inspection. The only thing it wouldn't cover is if I failed inspection and inspector has to return to inspect again(hasn't happened).

Unfortunately, I didn't do the service upgrade(which company XXXXX got paid for seperately), just the internal wiring, and I used the other electricians inspection agency(XXXXX) since he was coming to inspect service anyway.


Keep in mind, I do stricktly residential, and payment procedures may be different on larger jobs. I worked for a few different companies before starting my own business and one payment always paid for everything.

I've got to talk to my builder buddy and see if he wants to pursue this situation.

And, thanks for the replies gentlemen.

[ May 14, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: mjf ]
 
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