Do all building code inspectors inspect the same?

Question

Remodeling an old house. Had the foundation leveled by a contractor that has been leveling and passing inspections for 25 years. Our city hired a consulting service from out of town. He failed this inspection. He said the pier & beam foundation must meet requirements for footing, in the 2003 IRC or provide an engineer letter stating structure is secure.. He stated that the cement blocks ( and there are a lot of them) or not sufficient. All of this towns pier & beams are either sitting on cement blocks or old cedar stumps. I contacted my contractor and he is also puzzled. He stated that he has never had a problem with this.

So are all inspectors on the same page?? Or can I request a second inspection. And hopefully get the inspector that has been passing all of the rest of these inspections. I really can't afford to spend anymore money on this foundation.... Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You would think that all inspectors would inspect the same, but it's been my experience that they're all over the board.  It can depend on what mood they're in.  Arguing with them is almost never profitable.  Keep in mind that you're dealing with a bureaucracy.

If push comes to shove, call the inspector's boss.

Answer 2

Unbelievable!

If your city/county/municipality has adopted the 2003 IRC, without exception, than the corrections stand.

Call the senior building official for the answer.

Answer 3

Sorry young lady.....they are like us.......look the same but all different........and some quite nasty I might add. If you can find out when he goes on vacation........try another. I hope you mean concrete pier pads about 12 to 14" square and at least 6 to 8" thick.   No cedar stumps . Other wise the inspector might be right.....would be nice if all piers were the same and the posts were all treated on the bottom with some wood preservative....that way everything looks clean and square away.........that sells the inspector also.  Sorry and good luck.

Answer 4

USA   Not enough description of the work that was performed to determine if it meets the IRC.  The IRC does require a footing below a foundation.  The footing can be continuous concrete, ie 12" x 24" all around the perimeter, or it can be piers.  The footing (or piers) must be installed below the frost line.  In northern PA, the frost line is 42" below grade.  The beam must be supported by the footing piers, and the lumber or concrete grade beam must not exceed the allowable span between supports.

Not all inspectors interpret the code the exact same way.  I am not sure if you can request a second inspection, but you are entitled to and can request an explanation of why the installation does not meet the code, and specifically what section of the code is not met.

Most states require permits be obtained PRIOR to starting the work.  To get a permit, a sketch and/or description of the work to be done would have had to be supplied.  If you had a description of the work ahead of time, what remarks did the building inspector have when the permit was issued?  If the plan was approved ahead of time, and you followed the plan, they should not come back at you now and fail it.

If you did not check with the local building inspection dept prior to starting work, shame on you.  If permits are required and you failed to get one, bigger shame on you.  I have dealt with many contractors who said their work never failed inspection before, only to find out they usually do not have their work inspected.  The inspector is on YOUR SIDE.  The inspector only wants a safe installation that is adequate and will last.  The inspector does not make a commission, or have any other reason to fail your work other than it does not meet code.

Ask the inspector to provide you with the section of the code you are not in compliance with, and why the installation does not comply.  Be professional - ask nicely.

As a side note, any foundation sitting on old stumps is in for trouble.  If not now, then later.  And not too much later.  Shifting walls, cracked drywall, unlevel floors, doors and windows that do not open / close properly, all kinds of problems.

You can buy a copy of the IRC at Barnes& Noble, or maybe another book store.  Read sections 3 and 4.

If you are able to get another inspection, and the second one passes the installation, you need to ask:  Who was right?  If the first inspector was right, and you ignore the warning, you might be in for even larger headaches.  Beside the fact you were ripped off.

Contact the inspector.  Be professional and find out exactly what the problem is and how to correct it.  It will save a lot of headaches and money.