Inspection Process

At each stage of your project, you (the contractor or agent authorized by the contractor) must by law call in an inspection. Typically, inspections follow this order:

1. Footings (exception: new residences)

   Pole structures and decks include two examples of projects that require a footing inspection. For this inspection, DO NOT fill in at least half of the holes; the inspector must see the depth and diameter of the hole before you pour concrete. The inspector should also be able to see the materials you will use to fill the holes on the job site.

2. Forms (exception: pole barns, garages, decks, sunrooms, etc)

   New buildings require an inspection on the forms with visible rebar before the builder fills the forms with concrete.

3. Wall (exception: pole barns, garages, decks, sunrooms, etc)

   New buildings require an inspection on the concrete walls after the builder has pulled away the forms. This inspection is often called a “pre-backfill” inspection, but our office simply calls it a wall inspection.

4. Subtrade rough-in (exception: projects without electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work)

   At this stage, the subtrade inspectors must see electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work BEFORE the builder installs insulation and drywall. These subtrade inspections must be completed and called in before the building inspection to ensure a subcontractor has not unintentionally altered the building framework against code.

5. Building rough-in (exception: pole barns and garages that will not have interior completion)

   The building inspector must see the framing, trusses, rafters, and fire stopping BEFORE the builder adds insulation and drywall. The building permit holder must call in this inspection after all trades have finished rough-ins. Windows must be installed at this stage.

6. Subtrade finals (exception: projects without electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work)

   When all subcontractors have completed their work, the inspectors can review the finished project. This stage will begin after adding insulation and drywall.

7. Building final (exception: subtrade projects without building permits, e.g., furnance installs)

   After the subcontractors have finished and called in their inspections, the building inspector can review the finished construction and finalize the project.

After you have passed your subtrade and building finals, we (or the township/city hall, depending on your community) will close your permit file. For new residences, we will issue a certificate of occupancy, which we will mail to the applicant’s address unless specified otherwise.

If you feel unclear concerning certificate of occupancy requirements, click here.

The permit fee covers the permit and required inspections. Multiple re-inspects, however, may accrue extra charges. It’s frustrating for an inspector to travel all the way to your project to find out no one is home, he is locked out or the project is not ready for inspection. If this becomes a habit there will be fees for extra inspections.