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An average day

mtlogcabin said:
And you went in anyway? Sounds like trespass, I believe the code is pretty specific about what an inspector is to do when refused entry.Maybe California is different
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As soon as he said it, I stopped and went back the way I came. You mention the code "what to do" when this happens but I have never done that. I'm sorry but I can't tell you how I handle that because...well then anybody could do it and you really shouldn't try it at home.

I don't know about California being different but I'm pretty sure that I am.....different that is.
 
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Getting this job through the foundation was no small feat.

I spent ten minutes trying to explain a ufer when the owner showed up.

So I had to start over and explain it to her so that she could explain it to them.

I was 15 minutes into it when one of the men asked if they could install the ufer after they pour the concrete.

I said that the language barrier is proving to be a problem.

She said "You are the problem"...."If you would just keep on driving and leave us alone it will go a lot faster"

They asked for raised floor framing today. The joists are waaaaay out of square to the foundation.

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This job should produce some great pictures. We are in-store for mistakes that none of us have ever seen.
 
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The pool has no permits. The company that built it seldom gets a permit. I am but one inspector and I've run into their mistakes a half dozen times. They shout at me when I call them. The home owners are sometimes left on their own to deal with problems like electrical service drops too close to the pool, safety glazing in windows that are too close to the pool, etc. They don't give a thought to a barrier and won't even discuss it with the owners.

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Does your jurisdiction have a process for revoking the contractor's license? Oregon does, and the resultes are posted on the Construction Contractor Board.
 
fireguy,

California does have a process but to get it started with a company of this size, the company would have to first, screw the Governor.
 
mtlogcabin said:
And you went in anyway? Sounds like trespass, I believe the code is pretty specific about what an inspector is to do when refused entry.Maybe California is different
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California Code of Civil Procedure Section

RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR INSPECTION

".........whenever there is reasonable cause to believe there exists a state or municipal code violation in any building or upon any premises within the jurisdiction of the city, any authorized official of the city may, upon presentation of proper credentials, enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon him or her by ordinance....."

http://www.codepublishing.com/ca/chulavista/html/chulavista01/ChulaVista0116.html
 
I think I screwed up. The job is a re-roof with asphalt shingles. The rolls are a product named Therma Sheet. It is a foil adhered to a closed cell foam. It is a radiant barrier. I questioned having a soft substrate over the plywood. The contractor assured me (from his office) that he has a document from the shingle manufacturer allowing the material under their shingles. I gave him a proceed at your own risk approval pending the proof of acceptance by the shingle manufacturer.

When I got home I checked out Therma Sheet on the net and found that it is made for metal and tile roofs but there is no mention of asphalt shingles.

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mark handler said:
California Code of Civil Procedure Section RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR INSPECTION

".........whenever there is reasonable cause to believe there exists a state or municipal code violation in any building or upon any premises within the jurisdiction of the city, any authorized official of the city may, upon presentation of proper credentials, enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon him or her by ordinance....."

http://www.codepublishing.com/ca/chulavista/html/chulavista01/ChulaVista0116.html
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When people tell me to get off of the property, I do. They are usually pretty wound up and I want out of there anyway. After they settle down and understand that they can't win, I get in. Now and then it takes a little coaxing like shutting off the electricity and I haven't been to see a judge yet.
 
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Thanks Pete,

I noticed that the Owens Corning letter that you provided says that Therma Sheet can be used in place of 15# felt. The info I found at Therma Sheet's web site "recommends" that Therma Sheet be used in addition to underlayment.
 
I was there to inspect a water heater replacement. It is located in a closet which is located in a hallway. The hallway also includes this wall furnace. The hallway can be closed off by doors.

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ICE said:
fireguy,California does have a process but to get it started with a company of this size, the company would have to first, screw the Governor.
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Hey Tiger,

What's the difference? You've been there a thousand times before, perhaps you've even had to step in to share the workload! Not advocating, just speculating about your endurance.

Foggy
 
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Placebo effect. The owner thought that the floor was too springy so a 4"x6" was added.

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And if they cut the 4 x 6 a bit longer than needed, the spongy floor would be pushed down. No more spongy, problem fixed. And if they cut a hole in the floor, floor sweepings and mop water would disappear into the crawl space. The contractor should get points for creativity. But, NO. You pesky inspectors will just find some other minor thing to complain about.
 
How could it be that the contractor didn't know that this equipment was meant for an indoor installation, as in, all the way indoors. The chain-link gate can't close because the boiler is larger than the trash enclosure.

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This was set up by the contractor.

I had no idea until I showed up at the door.

I don't know about the rest of you but I don't enter an occupied property without the occupant or designated adult present.

Several times a week I need a ladder that's not there to access an attic.

Invariably the occupant will say "Wait here, I have a ladder in the garage."

I say, "I'll wait outside, let me know when the ladder is set up."

It may occur to some of you that I should accompany the occupant to fetch the ladder.

Well if it's a little old lady, I do the fetching.

Otherwise, I respect the fact that most people do not want me traipsing through their domicile.

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The two 2x that hold up the top of the stair stringers didn't get a hanger.

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Everywhere that there was hardware, the bolts were too short and these look to be the wrong diameter. It's gonna take some work to hide all of this metal with drywall.

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If I didn't know better I'd think I make up a lot of this stuff.

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The superintendent on this job is only half there.

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"The plans specified 5/8" Titan anchors with 5" into concrete at 8" on center. The contractor opted for 3/4" with 7.5" into concrete."

That's because we all know that more and bigger is better ... now if we could just convince the concrete of that ... hmmmm.
 
"This was on the wall next to the job card on a re-roof final inspection. It is a self declaration that there are smoke detectors installed per the code. I am being asked to accept this in lieu of seeing the detectors because it's a hassle for the owner to arrange an inspection."

Wow, what an easy job you have, now just teach ALL the construction folks to leave a nice letter like this and you should be able to breeze through what, 50 or 100 inspections a day. Now we know, all those photos are either staged or photoshopped.
 
mark handler said:
California Code of Civil Procedure Section RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR INSPECTION

".........whenever there is reasonable cause to believe there exists a state or municipal code violation in any building or upon any premises within the jurisdiction of the city, any authorized official of the city may, upon presentation of proper credentials, enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon him or her by ordinance....."

http://www.codepublishing.com/ca/chulavista/html/chulavista01/ChulaVista0116.html
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I was thinking more along the lines of the rest of the section

In the event the owner and/or occupant refuses entry after such request has been made, the official is hereby empowered to seek assistance from any court of competent jurisdiction in obtaining an inspection warrant for such entry. It is a misdemeanor to willfully refuse access after an inspection warrant has been duly issued. (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1822.57). The
 
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