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Inspection philosophy

MASSDRIVER

MASSDRIVER

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Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,532
Location
Esparto, CA
So I was just watching another Mike Holt video, and one of the inspectors on his panel had something interesting to say.

To paraphrase, he said he was inspecting and writing corrections on the BUILDING, not the PERSON.

Many trades take the correction process personally, and I thought this philosophy was helpful regarding the goal we are trying to accomplish.

Also, it's a struggle sometimes for inspectors to not personalize the violations, and can at times the shoddy work can even be insulting. Conversely, they are not there to punish or reprimand but to get the work compliant with code.

Just a good train of thought for both the trades and inspectigators.

Brent.
 
Whether conducting a code compliance inspection for a municipality or a pre-purchase inspection I always tried to be clear about what I was inspecting for. Can't tell you how many times as a home inspector I heard real estate folks say 'that inspector cost me a sale'. With limited exception, it was the conditions of the building and the asking price that cost them the sale, not the inspector (and I am aware that there are a few bad apples in that barrel as well...)
 
Unfortunately there are contractors that you will need a sharp pencil for and they get upset when I write the same corrections over and over. They either just don't care or don't remember from job to job. It is like everyday is the first day on the job. One jokingly says, " I do it nice 'cuz I do it twice."
 
It gets difficult at times but every inspection is a new start and every day is a new day! I am not saying that I do not keep a mental note of recurring problems but I strive to take the approach, treat others as you want to be treated.
 
I try to think customer service first and regulation second....Not so much as to overlook a violation, but so as to tell people that they suck and the reasoning as to why it is wrong and leave them smiling....Always a challenge.
 
Philosophy, I thought dictatorship

Yes treat them nice, maybe kick the dog on the trouble makers
 
I am writing corrections on the work that has been done. That reflects on the person. The work is presented as that person's best effort and it came up short. There's no way to take the person out of the equation. If they don't take it personally they might have disassociation issues.

I don't take it personally if I have to write a correction.... Even if it is the twentieth time that I have given the company the same correction. I do take it personally when you tell me that you didn't know it was going to be me and that's why it is wrong yet again.

You don't provide a ladder....nobody is there for the third time in a row....I'm surrounded by dog shlt....you are never ready, by a long shot....you pi$$ and moan about every correction, loudly....you call the office and ask for a different inspector....you tell the HO that I'm full of crap....you demand this or that because you pay my salary....I have to step over and around trash....you tell big fat lies.............ya I don't take any of that personally and I get a steady diet of all of that.

Look at the work that I show you folks. Do you suppose that the people that do that work don't do all of what I have just written....and more.

But hey now, it's the building doing it, not the person. As many corrections as I write, I would have gone nuts long ago if it took that part of the job personally. All the rest of it doesn't get to me because at the end of my shift I get to flee the jungle. I go home to a nice quiet, safe place where the people love me. I'm so thankful that I don't have to live in the jungle that instead of being offended by the way I am treated there, I feel sorry for the people that have to stay there at the end of their shift.

It's not all like that. But Brent mentioned being insulted and personalizing corrections. Lots of jobs are fine and I am treated with the same respect that I show others. On a bad day it's 50/50. On a good day it's 50/50.
 
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I agree with ICE, in as much as, the correction did not create itself, someone caused it, and they need to own up to it and correct it. So, yes, it needs to be personal.

Now, having said that, it is how you present the violation that makes a difference. I have always tried to exercise extreme patience with everyone I deal with. Yes, there are the ones, that leave you wondering why they haven't got it after twenty times, but you smile, write the correction, and move along.

It's part of the job.

Just my .02 worth........
 
If you are paying attention to your staff and listening to the in office banter of what has occurred in the field during the day or what is being said before about a specific job or contractor before they head out for the day you should be able to tell if "personalities" might start to affect the inspection. I have worked with contractors who have been honest about having a personality conflict with a specific inspector and the way he inspects. Usually through an explanation of the inspection process and suggesting they allow the inspector to complete his inspection, then ask the inspector what needs to be corrected works the best. I have pulled inspectors from going to specific jobs because of their attitude towards the job or the contractor. Sometimes an inspector just needs a break and a chance to step back and regroup in order to "clear" the mind of the negativity that can accumulate during the course of doing our jobs. Lets face it our jobs are to look for what is wrong or deficient all the time and that can eventually affect our attitudes.
 
I have had conflicts and have asked my boss to do the next inspection,

Normally they are even less happy with my boss showing up,

He likes to write
 
fatboy said:
I agree with ICE, in as much as, the correction did not create itself, someone caused it, and they need to own up to it and correct it. So, yes, it needs to be personal. Now, having said that, it is how you present the violation that makes a difference. I have always tried to exercise extreme patience with everyone I deal with. Yes, there are the ones, that leave you wondering why they haven't got it after twenty times, but you smile, write the correction, and move along.

It's part of the job.

Just my .02 worth........
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But I have had jobs where another trade has caused problems for the person I am inspecting, and the person gets unhappy with me, even though it is someone else's fault
 
Good concept Brent;

The less personal a Contractor takes the correction(s), the easier work flows on both sides.

Ideal personal attitudes are the rarity, not the norm. And to counteract the difficulties I have seen some quite novel approaches in my 39 years doing code compliance.

Giving difficulty ratings for known problem builders is helpful for a scheduling tool and keeps the inspection crew involved with the BO or supervisors so the numerous "dips***" problems common to the company are known and the crew is more consistent.

Drawing straws for who gets the alphabet hole contractor today can be fun, especially when the loser is willing to pay someone to take the inspection.

Photocopying the corrections from the prior tract home model plan then redline out the address & put in the current job address saves time in the field; but warn the BO as a gun shot won't beat the call in to the office.

If you are really really tired of hearing the same old story like "I just built the same building across the river and they didn't make me do that" among numerous others; print them up, photocopy and carry with you. Hand them out and offer $5.00 if they have something different or original for a lame excuse.

This one actually helped a bunch: Quarterly code update Q&A sessions with the Builders/Contractors. Have a short agenda and go over some common to everyone issues like "what the eff is weather resistant covering installed "shingle fashion"? You get a great turnout if it is early morning and you have a hot breakfast.

For the true dunderheads; compile a database of similar corrections and how many times they have been written compared to the number of projects the dipsti** has done. Ask them to improve their score so they can make more money by saving work time/costs.

I know there are others...
 
JBI said:
Whether conducting a code compliance inspection for a municipality or a pre-purchase inspection I always tried to be clear about what I was inspecting for. Can't tell you how many times as a home inspector I heard real estate folks say 'that inspector cost me a sale'. With limited exception, it was the conditions of the building and the asking price that cost them the sale, not the inspector (and I am aware that there are a few bad apples in that barrel as well...)
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"Deal Killers"; I didn't kill the sale, the house committed suicide.I use steveray's philosophy, no matter what line of work people want to feel appreciated without being degraded. It seems easier to raise the bar with small talk even if you are hard of hearing.
 
I have to agree with fatboy it's not we do its how we do it. That being said some contractors do take it personal I try to explain why not just write and leave,
 
David Henderson said:
I have to agree with fatboy it's not what we do its how we do it......I try to explain why not just write and leave
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How I am treated sets the tone. Today I spent 25 minutes explaining a bunch of stuff to a solar crew. It was their second attempt to pass a rough inspection. I could sense the frustration but they treated me with respect. I get a different response quite often. I am laughed at and told that I am ridiculous.

So how much time should I spend "getting to know " them. These are people that I wouldn't associate with under any other circumstances.

I should care if they understand why they are doing what they are doing? It is bad enough that I have to explain what to do but now I should turn the Dick Head into an educated Dick Head?
 
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Agree with keystone... it's not as much what you say as how you say it.

My residential inspectors gave "Code Check" to the residential contractors who do work in our jurisdiction... as a holiday gift from us to them. In my experience, most contractors want to do a good job for the owner and appreciate the guidance.

The rest.... well, they call a different agency next time.
 
Keystone said:
They May Forget What You Said, But They Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel
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I hear you...and that's one reason why I don't say a whole lot.

50% of the workmen that I encounter don't speak enough English to carry on a conversation.
 
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