What would you do?

[wiredit]

So I hire this guy about 4 years ago and about 2 months after starting, I let him go because he was worthless. About 1 year after I let him go, he becomes a county building inspector. Now every time I get him on a job, he hammers me on stuff that is total BS. For instance, I am wiring an apartment complex and the super called for inspection on the switchgear and metering so we could have meters installed, and this guy fails me saying that all the meter stacks have to be individually grounded to the ufer ground. I am using GE modular metering, and so I refer him to NEC 250.142(b) exception 2 and he tells me that the code book is open to interpretation and that he interprets it differently than I do. He even goes so far as to call the Owner of the complex and tells them that the electrical contractor on the job is not properly grounding the meters and they immediatley call the GC and tell them to fix it immediately. Try explaining the code book to a GC it doesn't work, they tell me to do what the inspector wants. So I run a #6 green ground wire from each meter stack to the ufer and he finally passes it. Now today, the super calls for inspection on the light pole bases and he fails it saying that my conduit is not deep enough. All my conduit is installed underneath the 6" sidewalk and the pole bases butt up to the edge of the sidewalk, so that no conduit is not under concrete. I do all my trenching before they pour and I trench 6 to 8 inches deep. At first he tells me that I have to be 18 inches deep, and then after I politely refer him to Table 300.5 saying that as long as the sidewalk is 4" thick, I only have to be 4" deep, he tells me that I have to be 12" deep because he cannot verify that the sidewalk is at least 4" thick everywhere. Then I flip my lid and scream how in the hell am I going to lower my conduit another 4 to 6 inches under already poured sidewalks. He tells me that is my problem and that he won't sign off until it is done. Now this GC is thinking I'm screwing everything up because it's obviously delaying the job and I am doing nothing wrong. I have not wanted to go over his head up until now for fear that it may get worse, but now I feel that I have no choice, what would you do?

 

[peter d]

You have no choice but to go over his head. This guy is abusing his power.

 

[quogueelectric]

You must learn diplomacy. Wait till someone tells him what you wrote on Mike Holt about him you havent seen anything yet.

 

[220/221]

Go over his head and rationally present your case.

If you can show that he worked for you, there is an obvious conflict of interest.

 

[wiredit]

I am even contemplating contacting my attorney, thinking that if I go over his head that the repurcussions may get even worse. I honestly think that over the last 3 years this guy has cost me a lot of money and if his boss tells me to kick rocks and do what he asks, it will cost me thousands. I would think a potential lawsuit would not make the taxpayers very happy if I was awarded damages of some sort. I don't know I'm so furious right now because I'm worried that the GC will be very skeptical of using me again because of these problems. I have done 7 apartment complexes for this GC in the past and have never had these problems before because I haven't had him as an inspector on those projects.

 

[Fulthrotl]

and then after I politely refer him to Table 300.5 saying that as long as the sidewalk is 4" thick, I only have to be 4" deep, he tells me that I have to be 12" deep because he cannot verify that the sidewalk is at least 4" thick everywhere. Then I flip my lid and scream how in the hell am I going to lower my conduit another 4 to 6 inches under already poured sidewalks. He tells me that is my problem and that he won't sign off until it is done. Now this GC is thinking I'm screwing everything up because it's obviously delaying the job and I am doing nothing wrong. I have not wanted to go over his head up until now for fear that it may get worse, but now I feel that I have no choice, what would you do?

you haven't mentioned what area you are working in, and if there is another
inspector in that area who can inspect the work instead.

you have a serious problem, and there may not be a resolution to it.

who signed off the underground? he can't say anything if it was already
signed off.

but the plain truth is that he has the power to cost you a ton of money,
and there isn't a lot you can do about it... he's gonna get even with you,
and if his boss backs him up, which is common, there may not be anything
you *can* do, except document what he tells you, and get him to put every
thing in writing.

i've seen an inspector, on a single job, cost the EC so much money that it
closed the doors on a 125 man shop. this isn't the time to rear on your hind
legs and charge. you'll end up having your performance bond used to finish
the job by someone else.

the testoserone soaked side of the forum will howl like a mashed cat at what
i'm gonna say, but you've got only a couple choices, and one of them is
having the guy dumped in the river.

the other one is to kiss his mule, till he barks like a fox. homage, groveling,
and mule kissing may appease him, and get you signed off... but it's a lot
like getting stopped by the cop... he can let you go, with some chewing,
or make your life a living hell. it isn't right, but it's what's for dinner.

if you get out of this one, i'd think long and hard about doing any permitted
work in this guy's area again. he has the ability to drive you out of buisness
without even missing a bite in his donut.

good luck......

 

[wiredit]

Fulthrotl wrote


"who signed off the underground? he can't say anything if it was already
signed off. "


Well that's actually the crazy part, you see there are a lot of details that I didn't go into because of the already lengthy post but they change the inspectors zones every January 1st. I actually had the switchgears and meter stack signed off prior to January 1st by the original inspector, and then about 1 week later this inspector was on the job and was looking at the switchgears and meter stacks, and actually reversed the previous inspection. He actually erased the previous inspectors signature on the inspection card. In my opinion these things are obviously intentionally trying to cost me money. I do not agree however that I have to kiss his arse given the circumstances. I think like someone else said that this is a conflict of interest and he should not be allowed to inspect my jobs anymore. It's not like he inspects every job I do but I see him maybe 2 or 3 times a year but it's really starting to add up monetarily.

 

[sgr1]

IMO you don't have much choice but to fight in this situation! Your business and reputation is at stake!
I would go over his head and take as much evidence I could gather up and take with me. But you need to be prepared too go all the way with this once you start this you will have to finish it. I would go ahead a talk to my attorney as he may be able to handle it for you with less recourse on you.
GOOD LUCK

 

[TwinCitySparky]

That guy is a totally vindictive looser in the biggest way. My advice, document absolutely everything. People like this eventually dig thier own grave. If he is abusing his power on your jobs, you know there are others... Take deep breaths and keep on doing the right thing. You are being tested.

 

[jrannis]

Fulthrotl wrote


"who signed off the underground? he can't say anything if it was already
signed off. "


Well that's actually the crazy part, you see there are a lot of details that I didn't go into because of the already lengthy post but they change the inspectors zones every January 1st. I actually had the switchgears and meter stack signed off prior to January 1st by the original inspector, and then about 1 week later this inspector was on the job and was looking at the switchgears and meter stacks, and actually reversed the previous inspection. He actually erased the previous inspectors signature on the inspection card. In my opinion these things are obviously intentionally trying to cost me money. I do not agree however that I have to kiss his arse given the circumstances. I think like someone else said that this is a conflict of interest and he should not be allowed to inspect my jobs anymore. It's not like he inspects every job I do but I see him maybe 2 or 3 times a year but it's really starting to add up monetarily.

I would find out who the building official is and make an appointment to see him. I would bring the information you shared with us. The best part would be him erasing the other inspectors signature.
Show the building official the information about the metercenter and the code section along with the money it cost you to "correct it".
Then show him the light pole project.
You could drill a hole in the sidewalk and show the actual depth unless they had a forming inspection. If they did, bring a copy of that along.
Next stop would be the county or city commission.
I wouldn't put up with harassment like that at all.
File a complaint as soon as you can. Find out who issues inspector licenses and find out the complaint process.
You are dealing with a playground bully. Don't give up!!!

 

[ishium 80439]

Wouldn't there be a record that a previous inspector already signed off? The card on the job is just for reference, the real paper work should get done at the office.

I have no idea where you are or what size bldg dept you are dealing with and that matters a bunch. On a much smaller deal I once had to go over the inspectors head (he wasn't harassing me like your situation but wanted something on final that he did not want on rough). When the chief EI came to the job you could see that he was trying to find a way to agree w/ his guy but just couldn't do it. That situation worked out OK for me.

Assuming we have all the facts here I would definately try to talk to the Chief and explain the situation. You are being singled out and harassed.

As a side note (and w/ all due respect to the good, quality inspectors out there) this may be this guy's MO. I have seen and heard of more than one instance when a person could not cut it in the field they turn into a beast of an inspector.

 

[Rewire]

I would go over is head,but just barely.Everybody has a boss in government and most don't want to deal with unhappy constituants.Make sure you have your ducks in a row.Be prepared to go to the top if needed.Be polite but firm.Remember you are the electrician.Base your argument on code and don't play the "he's getting even "card until the very end and be careful how you phrase it.

 

[LarryFine]

I have not wanted to go over his head up until now for fear that it may get worse, but now I feel that I have no choice, what would you do?

I would have gone up the food chain on day one of this guy's B.S. He can only make your life worse if he's left alone.

Don't tread lightly; carry a big honking stick and use it well.

 

[growler]

Wouldn't there be a record that a previous inspector already signed off? The card on the job is just for reference, the real paper work should get done at the office.

That doesn't mean anything, one inspector can reverse a decision make by another inspector "if" he finds an actual code violation.

I agree with Rewire on this one, most of the time the county will have a policy in place ( say on grounding of meters) and that policy will be controlled first by the head electrical inspector and then the building code official.

If some inspector wanted me to run a seperate ground to each meter of a meter pack I would want to see another one that he made someone do that way and even then I would contact the head electrical inspector to make sure that he feels the same way about it before going any further.

Electrical inspectors get hired and fired every day just like other workers in the electrical field. Unless he is the only inspector for the area it's real hard for him to abuse his authority because he has a boss like everyone and that boss doesn't like to hear a bunch of complaints about the same person over and over.

One thing to do would be to check with other contractors in the area and find out if they have had similar problems with this inspector.

You really can't compare an electrical inspector to a cop, a cop can arrest you, take you to jail or even shoot you, all an electrical inspector can do is look for and write up code violations ( national & local) and once fired he no longer has all his brother inspectors watching his back so he is fair game. This holding a grudge thing can be a two way street if you know what I mean.

 

[growler]

So I hire this guy about 4 years ago and about 2 months after starting, I let him go because he was worthless. About 1 year after I let him go, he becomes a county building inspector.

I have to ask. Did he use you as a reference when he got the job as an electrical inspector?

 

[Loffgren]

re

re

I have to ask. Did he use you as a reference when he got the job as an electrical inspector?

AWESOME question!

 

[luckyshadow]

Depending how large the area and how much work is being done- it might be worth it to findS out his exact area and cruise around looking for the other EC's and speak calmly with them. It would be great if you could find a meter stack like yours that he inspected for another EC to see what he made them do. Same for the tench work.

Gather your facts, put your emotions on the shelf, keep the personnel side of the issue away and schedule a meeting with his superior on the job site. Remain calm when showing him/her the issues and present your side with code references CALMLY. If you are screaming and saying how much a piece of poop the inspector is you will just look like a fool who is crying about your violations. If your calm and speak in a normal professional manner with the facts and the code book at hand you will come accross as a professional and not a jerk.

The thing to remember is the boss most likely played a large part in hiring this guy so when your insulting the inspector you may very well be insulting the guy who made the call to hire him.

 

[Jhaney]

I would have gone up the food chain on day one of this guy's B.S. He can only make your life worse if he's left alone.

Don't tread lightly; carry a big honking stick and use it well.

I agree, he sounds like a very childish person who needs to be put in his place either by his supervisor (if you find enough evidence and he agrees with you) or with a stick which if your wife is anything like mine would take from you.

 

[Mr. Wizard]

you've got a couple choices, and one of them is having the guy dumped in the river.

...if only it were legal...

 

[wiredit]

UPDATE!!!!


I decided to go to the chief inspector and tell him the situation and to my surprise he totally agreed with me and has removed that inspector from this job, and in future projects all I have to do is call the chief and he will make sure that this inspector does not inspect my jobs. I came out of that meeting thinking Holy Crap there is a God.