Waiting for inspection? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

NICKPAUS · 10-05-2009, 10:00 PM

I have 2 roof jobs this week and the price of permits has gone up and they want to inspect after tearoff and final. Weather is still clear but how do you guy's do it leave roof exposed for a day for inspection? Black paper it after inspection or just roof it and pull permit? They use to driveby after re-roof or inspect sheeting nailing if needed. Never had them want to inspect after tearoff.

One of the roofs could easily be done in a day but the inspector gives a 4 hour window when he will show up. Would you send a crew to tear it off wait for inspection next day and finish roof the third? Hate to leave a roof exposed.

Grumpy · 10-06-2009, 01:24 PM

We tell the inspector to be there at this day and time, we usually give 24 hours notice. If he's not on time we take photographs. If he wants to see the wood he can tear it off and look.

This happened to me the day the planes hit the buildings and I told the inspector he was 3 horus late and I am not paying guys to stand around and wasn't going to leave the roof open because if it rained it's my ass. He said we had to show him the wood, and I told himn to go tell the 5 guys with hammers that, because I wasn't and he decided to pass us.

Although I find the wood inspection to be a great thing since so many hacks will just cover up old wood, reuse felt, not install enough ice shield, what ever than can to save a buck... I dislike the logistics of having to wait around for an inspector. Thus I try to avoid working in those areas which do require a wood or ice shield inspection. I haven't had many problems, but I have had some.

JonM · 10-06-2009, 01:57 PM

Roof inspections around here are non existent...I would make it clear to the inspector about what time to be there and put him on notice about his liability if he wasn't there on time...but I guess you could always tarp the roof if need be...

NICKPAUS · 10-12-2009, 10:15 PM

The one day job I had ended up being 3 partial days with inspection. Detached garage 10 squares. The city of Torrance gives no window when they will show up. He showed up at 1130 am was super cool and did not even go on roof. Had to race to meet him since he claimed the sheeting was upside down. By the time I was there he had read the stamp on an extra sheet sitting there and saw the THIS SIDE DOWN stamped on it. Said to just call in final and he will do a drive by. Permit $102

2nd roof I figured a 3 day job 18 square wood shake tear-off lots of wood repair and re-shingle Presidential. Different City Inspector I know. Permit $400. In out 2 days.

Knowing the inspectors can end up saving $$$$ cause of time.

concretemasonry · 10-12-2009, 10:24 PM

Make sure he knows there will coffee and donuts at the proper time in the morning. He can always shift a schedule for a moment of relaxation and friendship (including "horror stories") after/during a discussion of the job in question.

A contractor has to "sell" to the customer, suppliers and others to keep the costs down.

Grumpy · 10-13-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Make sure he knows there will coffee and donuts at the proper time in the morning. He can always shift a schedule for a moment of relaxation and friendship (including "horror stories") after/during a discussion of the job in question.

A contractor has to "sell" to the customer, suppliers and others to keep the costs down.

This is the best advice I have read. My typical response is agression, but you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

However we seldomm get to speak to the actual inspector, just some gal at the office scheduling his appointments.

concretemasonry · 10-13-2009, 11:55 AM

Grumpy -

The word will get out even if it goes upstream from one inspector to another. Inspectors like it when they are respected and you make their job earlier.

A plant I was in charge of frequently got hit by the state OSHA inspector. Once our plant superintendent got a chance to talk to hime, we found out his routine.

1. Our company name started with and A.
2. Our plant was between his office and his home.
3. He would make a late AM inspection on Friday and then go home or get an early start for the lake afterward.

He became a pleasant fixture every quarter and gave us a good inspection report, but did always find a few minor things to write up, even if he probably knew we left them for him. He made us aware of safety and that is the reason for inspections. Building/code inspectors are no different, so you just have to understand what they are trying to do and make it comfortable.

PA woodbutcher · 10-13-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

This is the best advice I have read. My typical response is agression, but you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

However we seldomm get to speak to the actual inspector, just some gal at the office scheduling his appointments.

Wondered why you chose the handle Grumpy. Always seem fairly amicable to me

spdtrx · 10-13-2009, 06:31 PM

When I see I have a roof inspection work order Contractors will ask most of the time for either AM or PM inspections.
I will usaully call the Contractor to see what time they will be ready for me.
If they know me they will call me.
I always try to work with everyone to help out. Sence I Have been on the
other end of the business like them. The old saying you can't make money
standing around is very true.
I usaully have 15 to 20 single stops a day and its hard to please everyone.
The guys I work with feel the same way about helping out too.
But not all inspectors in the world feel this way. Some are just A-holes
and think there GODS gift.

Grumpy · 10-14-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA woodbutcher

Wondered why you chose the handle Grumpy. Always seem fairly amicable to me

I have my moments. You should see me pissing and whining on complaining constantly on The National Roof Group Forum. Let's just say it's ben a bad year, and they all know about it. Poor guys. Sorry!

Grumpy · 10-14-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretemasonry

Grumpy -

The word will get out even if it goes upstream from one inspector to another. Inspectors like it when they are respected and you make their job earlier.

A plant I was in charge of frequently got hit by the state OSHA inspector. Once our plant superintendent got a chance to talk to hime, we found out his routine.

1. Our company name started with and A.
2. Our plant was between his office and his home.
3. He would make a late AM inspection on Friday and then go home or get an early start for the lake afterward.

He became a pleasant fixture every quarter and gave us a good inspection report, but did always find a few minor things to write up, even if he probably knew we left them for him. He made us aware of safety and that is the reason for inspections. Building/code inspectors are no different, so you just have to understand what they are trying to do and make it comfortable.

we don't really do enough work for the inspectors to remember us, although have gotten compliments on our work (specifically proper wall flashings) from inspectors on a few occasions.

I am totally and 100% all for inspections, but hey those inspections shouldn't make my job and life any more difficult than it already is. My only complaint about inspections is the timelyness of those inspections. Some inspectors have major ego/power trips but overall I find the majority of them to be fair. If they show up on time and I don't have a crew of men standing around with an open roof and a huge liability while waiting for him to show... I'm happy. If I have that open roof, huge liability, and zero production waiting, well I am "Grumpy".

MJW · 10-14-2009, 07:21 PM

It's easiest just to do what they ask. It gets old allowing an inspector to look over a professional's work though. We are supposed to know what we are doing, but some people just hire any hack to sub their work to. Our inspections got much tighter since the storm chasers were in town. We actually re-roofed the head inspector's house, but all the inspections were still mandatory. Sheathing inspect, and final, including lifting tabs to look at nailing.

I've heard stories about a Contractor who's job didn't pass inspection, so he went down off the roof and took his ladder also....leaving the inspector on the roof with no way down.
Also seen groups of Hispanics coming back after inspections and having to renail entire roofs. One I heard that is was done so poorly they had to tear off again and re-shingle at their cost.

The worst I seen was a group of Mexi's tore off a roof with a storm coming in that day. They were waiting for sheathing inspection, and it started to rain and thunder. One of the workers was actually struck by lightning trying to dry the house in. It was all over the news, but nothing was said why they were caught in the storm. We found that out later from one of the inspectors.

In the end.....it's a pain in the a$$ with these guys, but the hacks brought it on for all of us.

spdtrx · 10-15-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJW

It's easiest just to do what they ask. It gets old allowing an inspector to look over a professional's work though. We are supposed to know what we are doing, but some people just hire any hack to sub their work to. Our inspections got much tighter since the storm chasers were in town. We actually re-roofed the head inspector's house, but all the inspections were still mandatory. Sheathing inspect, and final, including lifting tabs to look at nailing.

I've heard stories about a Contractor who's job didn't pass inspection, so he went down off the roof and took his ladder also....leaving the inspector on the roof with no way down.
Also seen groups of Hispanics coming back after inspections and having to renail entire roofs. One I heard that is was done so poorly they had to tear off again and re-shingle at their cost.

The worst I seen was a group of Mexi's tore off a roof with a storm coming in that day. They were waiting for sheathing inspection, and it started to rain and thunder. One of the workers was actually struck by lightning trying to dry the house in. It was all over the news, but nothing was said why they were caught in the storm. We found that out later from one of the inspectors.

In the end.....it's a pain in the a$$ with these guys, but the hacks brought it on for all of us.

Thats pretty funny.

hope that dosn't happen to me.

Inspectors have a job to do and that is to protect the H.O. or owner.
After the roof is tore off we need to inspect for any rotted materials
and flashing around the required areas that need them ect ect ect.
In the fall and winter times when it looks like it's going to rain.
Like this week. WOW big storms here.
We allow the roofs to be dryed in if we can't make the inspection at
that time.
There is a trust factor with the roofing contractors that you have
that they will do a proper and professional job. When you have that rapport with those contractors and seen enought of there work it does
make it easyer to make a decision.
I like to think I'm there to help. NOT to hender.

But you can't please everyone.