Why do City Inspectors let some Homeowners and Contractors get away with the codes?

Question

Small town in the South. Remodling an older home. Asked around for a Contractor that would level a Pier & Beam house. We were told by numerous people of a guy that was registered with the City. So we decided we would use him. I went to the city & tried to obtain the permit because I also am going to re-wire and re-plumb this house. The Secretary told me that I would have to obtain a Survey of the house. I left thinking this was the norm. My contractor showed up and said that is crazy and went to the city and obtained the permit. House leveling permit. He leveled the house. Inspection was failed. He has been doing this work for years in this town and has had no problem. They said because he had added extra cement blocks to the structure that it would have to completely re-done as a new foundation. Costing $$$$ However this same City allows certain Contractors to get a Building permit and remodel Including Foundations. But they are never inspected. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

sounds like your contractor is blowing smoke up your *** , some contractors get permits easier and pass inspections because they have worked in a particular jurisdiction for many years they have a reputation and know what the codes are, it sounds to me that your contractor did something that he didn't have a permit for and now the building dept wants engineering to prove that this fix will hold your house up, you may save a bunch of money by going to a local engineer and have him draw something up for you saying that what he did was ok.

Answer 2

Most of the time it has to do with who you know.  If you just moved to the small town, then most of the people do not know you, therefore they will not allow you to do what you want.  If you were a doctor, teacher, etc..., then the town would probably be more apt to help you out with getting whatever permits you needed or wanted.

Answer 3

Only a couple of things you can do.

#1. Hire an attorney from another county and be prepared to pay a couple thousand dollars or more.You may be able to just have that attorney send a letter asking for a detailed list of what areas will not pass code and the specific paragrah in the code book that refers to the violation. This may be just enough to let them know they better be right! This should cost a couple hundred dollars.It's called calling their bluff!!!!

#2. Ask the inspector yourself, what the specific violations are. Also contact any of your friends that are figure heads in the community or know someone who is. Sometimes you have to do whatever it takes.

Get the names of your local county,city commisioners, building inspectors and other locals - you might in fact know some of these people.

Not much else you can do

Answer 4

First of all, you don't KNOW the other homes are never inspected - generally if there was a permit issued, there was an inspection.  If this guy has been doing this work for years without problems like this, then the city building codes may have recently changed, the inspector is new, or he ticked him off and the guy is being an *** about it.   I'm assuming this "guy" is a licensed & bonded contractor and has liability insurance - this is what that is for...to protect you against goof-ups like this.   He needs to make it right since he took on the job and presumably knows the codes and what he's doing - this is what a contract is for.  Assuming there is a signed contract and this guy is a legitimate contractor, you shouldn't have any problems getting him to make it right.  If he's not, you may be out of luck.  I hope you didn't already pay him....