jar546
Forum Coordinator
As a Building Official who managed Building Departments in two different states, I've grappled with a persistent issue: a chronic shortage of building inspectors. This is not a unique situation, as many building departments nationwide face similar challenges. Reflecting on my nearly two decades of experience, one striking statistic stood out: approximately 50% of our inspections were actually reinspections following a failed inspection.
This revelation came as a shock. We spent half of our inspector payroll on reinspections, a considerable financial strain on our resources. This inefficiency was largely due to contractors' failure to meet minimum standards, leading to repeated inspections. It was clear that a solution was needed to address this inefficient cycle.
In response, I spearheaded the implementation of a $75 reinspection fee, which contractors must pay before a reinspection of a failed inspection could occur. This decision, though initially met with resistance and chaos, was crucial for several reasons.
Firstly, it's a matter of fairness and efficiency. The concept is simple: when a contractor’s work fails to pass an inspection, it shouldn’t be the department's burden to bear the cost of repeated inspections. Just as a contractor wouldn’t want to pay their workers to redo a job due to initial incompetence, the department shouldn't foot the bill for repeated inspections caused by a contractor’s failure to meet minimum code requirements.
Secondly, the fee serves as an incentive for contractors to ensure their work meets the required standards the first time around. Without such a fee, some contractors might view the inspection process as an educational tool, at the expense of the department's time and resources. The reinspection fee helps to shift this mindset, encouraging contractors to be more diligent and prepared for initial inspections.
In examining practices across various jurisdictions, the implementation of reinspection fees is a common and necessary approach. For example, departments in different areas have adopted varied fee structures, ranging from $45 to $110, depending on the specifics of the reinspection. Some jurisdictions, like Mecklenburg County, base their reinspection fee structure on a project's overall compliance rate, applying charges or credits at the project's completion or issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
It’s important to note that reinspection fees are not about generating revenue but about accountability and efficiency. Permit fees cover a certain number of inspections, and additional inspections due to non-compliance or unpreparedness should incur additional costs.
In summary, reinspection fees are a necessary tool for building departments. They ensure that contractors are held accountable for their work quality, improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary reinspections, and help maintain the integrity of the building code enforcement process. It’s a policy that not only benefits the department in terms of resource allocation but also reinforces the importance of code compliance in the building industry.
This perspective, while it may be contentious to some, is essential for advancing the conversation around building code enforcement and the efficient use of department resources. It’s about encouraging a culture of accountability and excellence in the construction industry, which ultimately benefits everyone involved, from building officials to contractors, and the communities they serve.
References:
This revelation came as a shock. We spent half of our inspector payroll on reinspections, a considerable financial strain on our resources. This inefficiency was largely due to contractors' failure to meet minimum standards, leading to repeated inspections. It was clear that a solution was needed to address this inefficient cycle.
In response, I spearheaded the implementation of a $75 reinspection fee, which contractors must pay before a reinspection of a failed inspection could occur. This decision, though initially met with resistance and chaos, was crucial for several reasons.
Firstly, it's a matter of fairness and efficiency. The concept is simple: when a contractor’s work fails to pass an inspection, it shouldn’t be the department's burden to bear the cost of repeated inspections. Just as a contractor wouldn’t want to pay their workers to redo a job due to initial incompetence, the department shouldn't foot the bill for repeated inspections caused by a contractor’s failure to meet minimum code requirements.
Secondly, the fee serves as an incentive for contractors to ensure their work meets the required standards the first time around. Without such a fee, some contractors might view the inspection process as an educational tool, at the expense of the department's time and resources. The reinspection fee helps to shift this mindset, encouraging contractors to be more diligent and prepared for initial inspections.
In examining practices across various jurisdictions, the implementation of reinspection fees is a common and necessary approach. For example, departments in different areas have adopted varied fee structures, ranging from $45 to $110, depending on the specifics of the reinspection. Some jurisdictions, like Mecklenburg County, base their reinspection fee structure on a project's overall compliance rate, applying charges or credits at the project's completion or issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
It’s important to note that reinspection fees are not about generating revenue but about accountability and efficiency. Permit fees cover a certain number of inspections, and additional inspections due to non-compliance or unpreparedness should incur additional costs.
In summary, reinspection fees are a necessary tool for building departments. They ensure that contractors are held accountable for their work quality, improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary reinspections, and help maintain the integrity of the building code enforcement process. It’s a policy that not only benefits the department in terms of resource allocation but also reinforces the importance of code compliance in the building industry.
This perspective, while it may be contentious to some, is essential for advancing the conversation around building code enforcement and the efficient use of department resources. It’s about encouraging a culture of accountability and excellence in the construction industry, which ultimately benefits everyone involved, from building officials to contractors, and the communities they serve.
References:
- Discussions from The Building Code Forum about reinspection fees, including various fee structures used in different jurisdictions and scenarios where reinspection fees are applied. (The Building Code Forum)
- Information on the Re-inspection Fee Program from the Code Enforcement Department of Mecklenburg County, detailing their reinspection fee structure based on the project code defect rate. (Code Enforcement, Mecklenburg County)
- Insights from a forum for Electrical Professionals, highlighting different perspectives on reinspection fees, the rationale behind them, and their implementation in various jurisdictions. (Forums by Mike Holt Enterprises)
