How to Deal with a Building Inspector

Schedule your visit from the building inspector 24 to 72 hours in advance of when you need him to arrive by calling your state or local Department of Inspections. Remember, your inspector may arrive within the next hour so make sure that you are far enough along to be inspected before you call.

Have your permit numbers and other required information ready to give the call center. They will need the permit number, the name of the project, the address and the type of inspection required. This could be a foundation inspection, electrical, plumbing, wall or masonry. The call center will then confirm your scheduled inspection and give you the name of the inspector. Ask for a cell phone number for the inspector. If they give it to you, call the inspector and leave a brief message identifying yourself, your project, the inspection you called in and a realistic time frame for when you will be ready for an actual inspection. Save this number and if for any reason you will not be ready for your inspection, call the building inspector immediately; she will appreciate the courtesy.

Open your permit drawings (this is the set of blueprints you submitted for permits and have red stamps on them stating the permit for construction has been issued) to the page that represents what will be inspected. If your drawings reference details on other pages, put a pencil or post-it on those pages so they can be quickly located.

Walk your inspector immediately to the area to be seen and present him with the permit drawings. Explain any changes and offer proof of architectural or structural approval for the change. (A fax from the architect or structural engineer registered on the job will be enough.) When your inspector is done, have him initial the permit drawings with their name, date and "OK" and also, fill out your inspection log book (which can be as simple as a spiral notebook reserved for that purpose).