Owner-builders typically get nervous once the building inspector turns up on their project. I believe they imagine trouble (he's there to find fault, he'll kill the momentum of work in progress, this is going to cost me additional money). These fears are nonsense assuming you have developed a relationship together with your inspector and made her or him section of your building team.

Most inspectors are competent, professional and have spent some years in the building business themselves. They're there to be sure the building adheres to building codes and local rules and ordinances. The structure should be constructed properly for the safety of the inhabitants, both present and future. If you are building in earthquake zones, you will have a lot more seismic devices and precautions than someone performing a project in stable sandy soil.

Foundations for a structure built on the beach will be considerably different than one built on a rocky slope in the mountains. Get more information are aware of the special conditions within their areas and how exactly to best cope with them. If you can look at their services in a positive sense, and also ask their advice or opinion from time to time, you will find they might be a valuable asset in completing assembling your project.

Talk to your inspector. Find out what their major concerns are from the outset? This will go quite a distance to enhance the relationship between you, the inspector and the building department they represent. Remember, it is the on-site inspector who will ultimately approve the completion of your project and sign the final inspection.

So, being an owner-builder, utilize the building inspector to help you move things along and anticipate any issues that could be headed off before they happen. Above all, NEVER develop an adversarial relationship with your inspector! You shouldn't be a know-it-all. Arguing, threatening or attempting to show them that you know more concerning the building business than they do will get you a very long correction list.

Never hide work that should be inspected. I've witnessed numerous people who had to eliminate drywall or roofing since they were too impatient, or forgot to schedule an inspection. According to the circumstances, some inspectors enables you to proceed without a formal inspection, but you must speak to them first and get verbal approval. Communication is everything.

It's best for someone to meet the inspector when she or he arrives for a scheduled inspection. They may have questions, or you might have questions of your. Always have the approved set of plans with you. Some inspectors will leave without considering anything if these plans aren't on-site. The approved plans are the Bible for the project.

Typical phases of work which will require an inspection are:

Footings, grade beams, retaining walls and slabs
Framing and shear walls
Roof and floor sheeting
Rough-ins for electrical, plumbing and HVAC
Insulation
Plaster lath, if applicable
Drywall nailing, especially if shear walls are participating
Final inspection for occupancy


The inspector isn't you to definitely be feared or loathed, but to befriend as a valuable contributor to the quality of your efforts. Those I've seen who consider the building inspector as a supporting person in the building team have experienced few problems or interruptions.