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Remodeling Other

Homeowner present during construction inspection?

last month

I am going through a major home remodel and my contractor will need to schedule a series of home inspections. I said I would like to be present at future home inspections (he did a few already without me and some inspections did not immediately pass). He said this:

"I’ve been doing this for 20 years and this is the first time I hear about such a request from clients very unusual. " then he advised against me being at the inspections.

Any insight into this? If it's "very unusual", why? Seems a homeowner should be there, although not necessary.

Thank you.

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Comments (5)

3onthetree
last month
Attend only if you can dress like a tradesperson and be a fly on the wall. Be prepared to witness negotiation, a realization it is much quicker and less thorough than you imagined, and your tax dollars may be paying for the inspector's nap at 3:30 in your driveway because he doesn't want to drive back to the office prior to going home at 5:00.
Susan W thanked 3onthetree
Trudy P
last month
last modified: last month
"She's the homeowner, she's allowed to be at inspections."

That's what the inspector told my contractor when I showed up unannounced to the first inspection and my contractor did not seem happy.

As long as you don't get in the way or slow things down there shouldn't be any issues.

By the end of the project, my contractor wasn't even coming to the inspections and I was the only person meeting with the inspector and telling the inspector what was done in the parts he couldn't see. So yeah, I recommend going.
Susan W thanked Trudy P
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MDLN
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Charles Ross Homes
last month
"Be prepared to witness negotiation, a realization it is much quicker and less thorough than you imagined" Calibrating your expectations is important. Inspections by building dept. inspectors are not a comprehensive review of the home's construction versus local building code requirements. They are more like an audit; a sampling. Don't expect any part to focus on quality (e.g., plumb, level, square, etc.) or aesthetics.

In the municipalities in which we build, inspectors have a pretty full plate every day. They do not have time to educate home owners. If you become a drag on inspectors' time, that word will get around the office and they'll look for opportunities to inspect the work when you're not there.
Susan W thanked Charles Ross Homes
julesnbuttons
last month
I'm with Trudy P on this one, as long as you don't get in the way, it shouldn't be a problem. If it makes a difference to you, you can be there, why not.
Susan W thanked julesnbuttons

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