[Joe Fairplay]

What do you think would be in your best long-term interest to do? Keep on this path with a lawyer or maybe get a hold of the guy and make nice with the inspector.

That ship sailed once the lawyer got involved.
He overplayed his hand and now he has to see it to the river and show the cards.

 

[KAP]

That ship sailed once the lawyer got involved.
He overplayed his hand and now he has to see it to the river and show the cards.

He could always go back to that route if going back to the inspector to work it out doesn't work... sometimes clearing the air, a little humility and some humor can go along way... only one way to find out...

 

[Pounder]

He could always go back to that route if going back to the inspector to work it out doesn't work... sometimes clearing the air, a little humility and some humor can go along way... only one way to find out...

This is good advice.
Escalation is easy, and we always assume that we'll win a huge victory at the end. That's not always the case, and when emotion steps in front of logic and clear thinking it's most often a losing proposition. Even when you're in the right you have to ask yourself if winning is worth the price. I've watched people throw away vast amounts of money and opportunity's that most of us can only wish for over a hundred bucks.

 

[Joe Fairplay]

The one with the most resources, power and control is the one who is always right.
Once that is understood, life and business gets much easier.

 

[KAP]

The one with the most resources, power and control is the one who is always right.
Once that is understood, life and business gets much easier.

That may be BUT for $66 and a little humble pie, it all likely could have been avoided WITHOUT having to expend the time, resources, power and control... now, resources and time will be needed to exercise that power and control... and at the end, you have an adversary going forward on other projects no matter the outcome on this one...

But who knows... maybe not...

 

[Joe Fairplay]

That what I meant, the horse is out of the barn.
I agree it never should have gotten here. Do what they want or have a respectful conversation with the supervisor but never start a fight with an underpaid government worker with more power than their paycheck. That's just dumb.

 

[rrk]

made a mountain out of a mole hill

 

[G&Co.]

You guys are funny...
The first dozen+ responses all egged him on to sue or worse. So he hires a lawyer and gets ready to sue. Then everybody tells him how that's the dumbest thing in the world.
That's what happens when you solicit advice on a forum

 

[hdavis]

I think many said get a lawyer. Suing is something a lawyer would advise on.

I got a speeding ticket when I knew for a fact I was more than 5 mph under the speed limit.

I just paid the ticket....

 

[Kingcarpenter1]

I sometimes spend $66. on lunch for the boys



Mike

 

[Half-fast Eddie]

That may be BUT for $66 and a little humble pie, it all likely could have been avoided

Maybe. But the re-inspection could have resulted in the inspector bringing up a lot of uncovering and “prove it” demands. Maybe not. It will now ...

 

[rrk]

Remember in most places inspectors are "held harmless"

 

[Rio]

Remember in most places inspectors are "held harmless"

The twist on this one is the dude signed off on it earlier so what he's doing now looks like what it is, something being done out of spite.

 

[Fishindude]

I can't believe a little HVAC and 100SF of drywall work require permitting?
I'd move to someplace less communist.

 

[rrk]

The twist on this one is the dude signed off on it earlier so what he's doing now looks like what it is, something being done out of spite.

does not matter, he could be fired over it but thats all. Most I have ever seen was a reprimand and the BO told me he spoke to the inspector

I have worked on job where inspector missed things that became an issue severl years later and also on jobs that were signed off on and I had to open ceilings in areas where I was not even working. Its like they are covered in teflon, nothing is their fault or their problem. Had one where inspector wanted railings on deck redone 4 days before sale closing on a deck they passed 5 or 6 years ago because a 6" ball could fit between riser, tread, bottom rail triangle. Delayed closing 2 days until I talked to BO who let it go.

 

[G&Co.]

Had one where inspector wanted railings on deck redone 4 days before sale closing on a deck they passed 5 or 6 years ago because a 6" ball could fit between riser, tread, bottom rail triangle.

Why was an inspector looking at a job that was closed 5 years prior?
If that city mandates a city inspection prior to a sale, that is legit and it doesn't matter that it passed before. They are inspecting the current condition, not the work done 5 years ago. If the city does not require an inspection prior to a sale, don't allow the inspector on the property.

 

[rrk]

All homes get inspected before sale, supposed to be a life safety inspection, carbon monoxide and smoke detctors
But towns see it as a way to get more money in if they find other things. Most of the time its illegal basements, bedrooms etc. Some dig up lots of stuff

In NJ if inspector has a "reasonable suspicion" of unpermitted work they can just walk in. I only had it happen once and surprised the crap out of me. I was replacing cabinets and no permit was needed but he thought I was doing much more.

 

[G&Co.]

Ok, that's a different issue. I once had the city of Detroit flag a cracked garage slab on an inspection for a sale. Detroit is the only city with a sale inspection here. No suburb has it.
But that has nothing to do with what we're talking about here. Whether something passed an inspection before has no bearing on a sale inspection. The OP is not having a sale inspection, he claims they are reopening a closed permit.

As to inspector walking in, we have just the opposite. I cannot get an inspector to go inspect a house I just leave unlocked. They are instructed not to go in without somebody on the premises actually escorting them in. Apparently there is some kind of legal precedent. Lots of regional differences.

That's pretty dumb actually. If I were an inspector I sure wouldn't walk into somebody's house unannounced. What if the HO mistakes me for a burglar?