What would you say to this inspector

[roger]

My beef is with the inspector putting this upon me (or us)

We do not own the property.

When I get a permit for work, it is for work I am doing. That is what I am responsible for. I do not take responsibility for issues on some property just by taking out a permit. That is just crazy talk.

I think if you read my post (the one you quoted) you will see I said the same thing.

Roger

 

[mpd]

mike

very well said

 

[electricmanscott]

But my friend, the truth will set you free.

I agree with your statement completely. There some contractors that will be so afraid that they wont get a job that they bid the job based on only what is to be achieved for a particular part and not look at the entire picture and then cry when things are pointed out that needs addressing.

I also agree that when doing a kitchen remodel that the entire system is not required to conform with the current standards but the entire system will have to conform with the standards that were in place when the original installation was made.

To do a bid for a few hundred dollars to install a couple of circuits knowing that there are open junction boxes and dangling cables all over the place is asking the inspector to nail you to the cross.
Just include these items with your bid and be done.

This is such an unrealistic view it's almost comical.

Why am I responsible for property I don't own? I don't get it.

 

[emahler]

there is no right answer here, it depends on what is enforced in that area and the situation, many contractors wait for the inspector to point out unsafe situations, why? they have been working on that job and have seen the violations and said nothing to the homeowner, and then the homeowner asks the same question to me how come the contractor did not see it, it feel like saying because he is a does not have a clue and is trying to get you for extras, but I can't say that,

conversely, how many times will an EC point out these deficiencies, only to have the HO say "No" with the thought that the EC was only looking for extras....then add to that the inspector essentially making the EC do the work for free in some cases....

or worse yet....the EC points out problems, legitimate problems, HO says "No", then the inspector comes out and inspects the job, and completely dismisses any of the issues that the EC pointed out...making the EC look like a shyster....

When we did resi, I would only point out problems on jobs in towns that I knew the inspector was consistent. Too many inspectors are hit or miss, depending on the day. In those towns, I would advise the HO to 'let's wait for the inspector', because I couldn't be sure what they would say.

 

[M. D.]

In Ma., I believe the E.C. can only be held responsible for the work performed .. If the inspector sees something that is an eminent threat to life/health there are steps in place for him to follow,.. I would try to work with the inspector to convince the owner that the work should be,. and why it should be,.. done. I do not believe he can compel me to do it nor should he/she try.

 

[jwelectric]

I am the professional electrician on the job so who else would the inspector address an electrical problem with?

The person that actually owns the property.

Why would an electrical inspector talk with the homeowner when you are the one who pulled the permit?

Are you saying that the inspector should first look at your contract with the homeowner to see just what was included in your bid?

I think that what has happened here is you did not do a very good bid and want everyone to agree with you that the inspector should put on blinders and only look at what you did while you were there.

I?m sorry son but the mistake was on your part not on the part of the inspector. Learn from your mistake and be sure to include any existing violations in your next bid or just stay away from work that the homeowner doesn?t want to pay for.

 

[electricmanscott]

In Ma., I believe the E.C. can only be held responsible for the work performed .. If the inspector sees something that is an eminent threat to life/health there are steps in place for him to follow,.. I would try to work with the inspector to convince the owner that the work should be,. and why it should be,.. done. I do not believe he can compel me to do it nor should he/she try.

True. It is all spelled out by law and it is a good one that makes sense and protects us from overzealous inspectors and liability issues.

Of course not everybody follows the rules.

I've been speaking in general terms not what our specific area requires.

 

[roger]

This is such an unrealistic view it's almost comical.

Well one of these, "IMO", "IMHO, or "IMSO" should be inserted before the sentence. :grin:

Roger

 

[electricmanscott]

Why would an electrical inspector talk with the homeowner when you are the one who pulled the permit?

Are you saying that the inspector should first look at your contract with the homeowner to see just what was included in your bid?

I think that what has happened here is you did not do a very good bid and want everyone to agree with you that the inspector should put on blinders and only look at what you did while you were there.

I’m sorry son but the mistake was on your part not on the part of the inspector. Learn from your mistake and be sure to include any existing violations in your next bid or just stay away from work that the homeowner doesn’t want to pay for.

You are wrong on all counts not IMO but factually.

My permit spells out the work that I am doing. You inspect THAT work. If YOU see other problems then YOU inform the OWNER of those problems. They can then decide if, when, and who will correct them.

AND I AM NOT YOUR SON

 

[infinity]

Why would an electrical inspector talk with the homeowner when you are the one who pulled the permit?

Are you saying that the inspector should first look at your contract with the homeowner to see just what was included in your bid?

I think that what has happened here is you did not do a very good bid and want everyone to agree with you that the inspector should put on blinders and only look at what you did while you were there.

I?m sorry son but the mistake was on your part not on the part of the inspector. Learn from your mistake and be sure to include any existing violations in your next bid or just stay away from work that the homeowner doesn?t want to pay for.

I'm with Scott on this one, inspect the stuff on the permit. Anything beyond that it between the building department and the building owner.

Why would an EC bid work that the HO didn't want in the first place?

 

[mpd]

infinity

that makes no sense, you are the licensed professional, if you see an unsafe situation, why not bring it to the attention of the owner?

 

[jwelectric]

You are wrong on all counts not IMO but factually.

My permit spells out the work that I am doing. You inspect THAT work. If YOU see other problems then YOU inform the OWNER of those problems. They can then decide if, when, and who will correct them.

AND I AM NOT YOUR SON

I am not sure just how the administrative rules are in exile but in the places where I have worked along the eastern seaboard the inspector will address the issues found on an inspection with the person who bought the permit and no one else.

Once again I say that it was a miscalculation on your part and not the inspectors. I don?t think that the inspector has put any more of a burden on you than the one you accepted when you did your bid. It is and was on you to ensure that the entire system was safe when you entered the contract with the homeowner.

Now that the inspector has found items that needs addressing on the inspection does not relieve you form you obligation to have done the same thing on your original contract with the homeowner.
It does not make the inspector anything less than an inspector just because you choose not to address these issues with the homeowner when you did your original bid.

 

[EBFD6]

Why would an electrical inspector talk with the homeowner when you are the one who pulled the permit?

Because they own the property, and are financially and legally liable for the property!

Are you saying that the inspector should first look at your contract with the homeowner to see just what was included in your bid?

Yes!

The HO hires an EC to do a specific job, kitchen remodel, addition, etc...

The EC should have a clear, defined scope of work which should be spelled out in a contract with the HO and also in detail on the permit.

If, through the course of the job the EC comes across existing violations, I believe he has an obligation to bring them to the attention of the HO, but it is not part of the contract to fix said violations and the decision still resides with the HO. If the HO wants to pay to have the violations fixed, great. If not the EC has done his part to make the HO aware of the situation.

If the Inspector sees these violations on inspection, and they are clearly outside the EC's scope of work, then these issues need to be brought up with the HO.

The real problem is that the EC's and inspectors should be working together to convince the HO to correct violations, the inspectors should not be putting the EC's into a position of having to work for free to correct a violation that was not their problem in the first place.

To expect an EC to bid a job and figure in every possible violation that could possibly be pre-existing, is absolutely ridiculous!

 

[electricmanscott]

I am not sure just how the administrative rules are in exile but in the places where I have worked along the eastern seaboard the inspector will address the issues found on an inspection with the person who bought the permit and no one else.

Once again I say that it was a miscalculation on your part and not the inspectors. I don’t think that the inspector has put any more of a burden on you than the one you accepted when you did your bid. It is and was on you to ensure that the entire system was safe when you entered the contract with the homeowner.

Now that the inspector has found items that needs addressing on the inspection does not relieve you form you obligation to have done the same thing on your original contract with the homeowner.
It does not make the inspector anything less than an inspector just because you choose not to address these issues with the homeowner when you did your original bid.

Again, wrong. This is based on another thread and is strictly hypothetical.


How am I obligated to be the ruler of all things electrical in somebodys property? What nonsense

 

[jwelectric]

Again, wrong. This is based on another thread and is strictly hypothetical.

How am I obligated to be the ruler of all things electrical in somebodys property? What nonsense

You do so with a clause in your bid that any thing cited by the code enforcement official outside the scope of the work being done will be at an extra charge.

Signed by your favorite person the -----------, or is that two different words instead of a compound word.

 

[480sparky]

Not to throw a monkey wrench into this thread, but this soulds a lot like a discussion I had elsewhere about ECs being held responsible by OSHA for all the other trades electric cords.

 

[electricmanscott]

You do so with a clause in your bid that any thing cited by the code enforcement official outside the scope of the work being done will be at an extra charge.

Signed by your favorite person the douchebag, or is that two different words instead of a compound word.

Well, finally you make a true statement.


My postion is simple. I take out a permit for x job. You inspect x work. If there are other existing issues within the property that you come across while inspectin my x work you notify the property owner. The property owner decides on a course of action.

 

[roger]

You do so with a clause in your bid that any thing cited by the code enforcement official outside the scope of the work being done will be at an extra charge.

Signed by your favorite person the --------, or is that two different words instead of a compound word.

Sounds like Scott may have been sending some PM's. :wink:

Roger

 

[220/221]

I am usually on the opposite side in this discussion but, with the information provided here, I would just do it.


1) It was just a few loose wires or a couple of covers missing.

10 minutes tops and $2 in materials is will come back 10 fold. Developing a repoire with an inspector ia worth the investment.

2) He asked politely for a favor.

If he would have said "you need to take care of these things before I will pass your work" I would be more hesitant. I still would have done it but I would address him about his behavior and suggest he be more polite in the future.

 

[jwelectric]

Well, finally you make a true statement.


My postion is simple. I take out a permit for x job. You inspect x work. If there are other existing issues within the property that you come across while inspectin my x work you notify the property owner. The property owner decides on a course of action.

Why would i notify the property owner when they are not the one that bought the permit.
I am to contact the name on the permit when addressing issues with that job.

It is then up to the name on the premit and who ever they desire to address the problem with not the inspector and the name on the permit and who ever the person on the permit wants to address the issues with.

Chances are the person that owns the property name is not even on the permit nor a contact number.