Those nails aren't going to keep those trusses from flopping.

If construction of your home is subject to inspection by your local building dept. before installation of subfloor, the inspector should reject it as currently constructed, in my opinion. There are some structural "cowboys" here on houzz.com who routinely opine that the code is whatever the inspector says it is at the time of inspection and that if the inspector doesn't flag it, then it meets code. Take your pick.

The concerns are two-fold: first, that the joists adequately support the loads applied from above (i.e., the exterior wall and all loads transmitted by them) and the potential for rotation of the joists. The applicable section of the International Residential Code (which most statewide building codes are based on) is R502.7. In the case of floor trusses, the code defers to manufacturer's instructions for the required lateral support. Blocking between the joists is likely prescribed. It may be that the framer plans to install the blocking but hasn't gotten to it yet.

"and that if the inspector doesn't flag it, then it meets code."

Good thing I've never said that.

Don't rely on code inspectors to point out or flag sub-standard construction. If this is custom design you paid an architect for,run it by the architect.

Yah...that's not going to work out. Someone needs to step up and do something. You have photos which you can send to the GC/Architect/Build Manager. As SOON as they are 'aware' of the situation (officially...as the COURTS would determine them to be 'aware') they are responsible for fixing the issue. If they ignore it after being told about it...they are in some SERIOUS legal hot water. Anyone with a head on their shoulders *should RECOGNISE your 'documentation' as 'legally responsible'.

If you have a COMPLETE idiot working for you, you will find out VERY quickly. As annoying as it is to switch builders in mid-stream, imagine how hard it will be to get your money out of a house that is a complete 'do-over'...after all the documents have been signed and the money transferred.

I recommend you send the photos via email tagged as High Priority, and with 'return as read'. That way you have PROOF they got it...and you have proof someone opened the email. Send it to the HIGHEST PAID person on the job/company.

Oh heck no. That's a fail.

@Charles Ross Homes, OP's q not about blocking. Not about relationship. You appear to be riding a bit high.

@strategery,

My most recent post requires readers to connect the dots between my first post which deals with the OP's question about whether the gaps were normal or acceptable and the post by another poster setting up a legal case. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

It appears the framing of the floor system is not yet complete. I'd suggest deferring the threat of legal action until it is.

@Charles Ross Homes, "threat of legal action?"

Wtf. Maybe I missed something from OP.

For perspective, these joist are not on an outside wall, they form inside walls on either side of a staircase. The outside joists are flush with rimboard. Builder is away for the weekend but texted me and said there’s a reason for it and he’ll explain. Will update with what he says. Maybe I’m missing something. He’s one of our town’s most reputable builders.

@strategery

I suggest you read the various posts in the thread starting with the first. The post suggesting setting up documentation for possible legal action and escalating the question to the highest paid position in the company was by SJ McCarthy. My advice to the OP is that it's a little premature to take that approach when the floor hasn't been completely framed yet, but it's a free country.

For the record, building projects--at least successful ones--are highly collaborative efforts. Relationships are extremely important: between builder and their employees, their trade partners, their suppliers, and their clients. No build is perfect. When issues or questions arise how they are presented can effect the relationship.

The reason for it appear to be that they ordered the floor joists too short.

Politely pose your question to the builder, and check the amount of bearing there is where the end (both ends) of the floor trusses rest on the walls. Even if you get a BS answer, you have brought it to the attention of the builder.

Years ago I had a project where there was two doors leading from the garage into the house in a non-bearing wall. During the rough framing I noticed one door's header was immediately above the door opening and the other door's header was about a foot higher immediately below the garage ceiling; both door openings were the same size. When I asked the builder why the difference, he started explaining about the earth's rotation and the westerly winds and the moon's position and the wood species and the moisture content and snow loads and . . . I stopped him and asked, "It's just because its the way it happened, isn't it?" He replied, "Yes".

@Mark Bischak,

That level of creativity is normally characteristic of architects, not builders. I submit the builder is an outlier.

Outlier and extremely talented in construction. It breaks my heart, but he retired this year.

Make sure they have updated blueprints, if, there have been any recent changes. Move a wall 1/2" and the entire design is off.

@Henk,

What did you learn from your builder?

He said that they wanted to have the gaps for utilities line up perfectly with the other trusses and that there's still 3 inches of bearing. They were planning on installing some blocking on either side of the truss ends.

It appears that these are supported from underneath, not by the screws into the adjacent panel.

Trust are designed for thst purpose. so there are no cutting and drilling into joist, lol.