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Redding starts offering virtual building inspections
http://www.redding.com/business/local/redding-starts-offering-virtual-building-inspections-271be40a-66de-2ae6-e053-0100007fb46d-362877641.html
For contractors like Mike MacFarland of Energy Docs, a quick-check detail like making certain a hot water heater is secured by a seismic strap can delay a final sign-off as the project waits for an inspector to make the trip out to the site.
And time is money.
That's why MacFarland is encouraged that Redding has started utilizing virtual inspections.
The new service allows contractors to email a photo to the building inspector or conduct an inspection via Skype or FaceTime instead of scheduling an on-site inspection.
Development Services Director Larry Vaupel said these inspections will benefit contractors and the city.
MacFarland, the first client to take advantage of the new program, agrees.
"Sometimes when you get an inspection, one minor detail needs to be taken care of," MacFarland said. "For things like punch-list items and some simple permits, I think there is a lot of application for it."
MacFarland needed an inspector to make sure the grounding screw had been attached for a new electric panel that he had installed in a house. He took a picture and emailed it to the city. Energy Docs is a home performance contractor that specializes in helping homeowners save on their energy bills. The company also works with private businesses and government agencies
"We see this as a better way to better serve our clients and make use of the technology that we have," Vaupel said.
MacFarland believes the virtual inspections will free up more time for inspectors to check and sign off on more complicated building issues.
"We will always need inspectors to visit projects," he said.
Redding City Councilman Brent Weaver, also a building contractor, said the feedback he's received about virtual inspections is "incredibly positive."
"I think it's going to make for more timely inspections and also save the building department more time to go out and do inspections," Weaver said.
Weaver also is impressed with the job Vaupel has done since he took over the building department in October. Vaupel came from San Bernardino, where he was the county's Economic Development Agency administrator.
"I am encouraged by the quick pace and tone that Larry Vaupel, our development services director, has brought with him in his new position," Weaver said.
Virtual inspections will be used for residential inspections and depending on how it goes, the city may expand to the commercial side, Vaupel said.
He added it's also a workload issue.
"We have three building inspectors who are doing 20 to 25 inspections a day," Vaupel said. "So they are driving all over the city. We are pretty much at capacity.
"For a tiny inspection or re-inspection, to make somebody wait 24 hours to get back in the queue, it doesn't seem right when they can just send a picture."
http://www.redding.com/business/local/redding-starts-offering-virtual-building-inspections-271be40a-66de-2ae6-e053-0100007fb46d-362877641.html
For contractors like Mike MacFarland of Energy Docs, a quick-check detail like making certain a hot water heater is secured by a seismic strap can delay a final sign-off as the project waits for an inspector to make the trip out to the site.
And time is money.
That's why MacFarland is encouraged that Redding has started utilizing virtual inspections.
The new service allows contractors to email a photo to the building inspector or conduct an inspection via Skype or FaceTime instead of scheduling an on-site inspection.
Development Services Director Larry Vaupel said these inspections will benefit contractors and the city.
MacFarland, the first client to take advantage of the new program, agrees.
"Sometimes when you get an inspection, one minor detail needs to be taken care of," MacFarland said. "For things like punch-list items and some simple permits, I think there is a lot of application for it."
MacFarland needed an inspector to make sure the grounding screw had been attached for a new electric panel that he had installed in a house. He took a picture and emailed it to the city. Energy Docs is a home performance contractor that specializes in helping homeowners save on their energy bills. The company also works with private businesses and government agencies
"We see this as a better way to better serve our clients and make use of the technology that we have," Vaupel said.
MacFarland believes the virtual inspections will free up more time for inspectors to check and sign off on more complicated building issues.
"We will always need inspectors to visit projects," he said.
Redding City Councilman Brent Weaver, also a building contractor, said the feedback he's received about virtual inspections is "incredibly positive."
"I think it's going to make for more timely inspections and also save the building department more time to go out and do inspections," Weaver said.
Weaver also is impressed with the job Vaupel has done since he took over the building department in October. Vaupel came from San Bernardino, where he was the county's Economic Development Agency administrator.
"I am encouraged by the quick pace and tone that Larry Vaupel, our development services director, has brought with him in his new position," Weaver said.
Virtual inspections will be used for residential inspections and depending on how it goes, the city may expand to the commercial side, Vaupel said.
He added it's also a workload issue.
"We have three building inspectors who are doing 20 to 25 inspections a day," Vaupel said. "So they are driving all over the city. We are pretty much at capacity.
"For a tiny inspection or re-inspection, to make somebody wait 24 hours to get back in the queue, it doesn't seem right when they can just send a picture."
