So, we started on the deck and to kick things off we dug the holes and called for a footing inspection. The code for footers are 8″ wide X 16″ long X 6″ deep. Since we were going to use anchor bolts and base brackets for the posts we just needed to dig holes that were at least 12″ deep since footers have to be 6″ deep but have to be 12″ below grade to pass. The holes we dug were on average about 16″ X 24″ X 15″, so we figured we’d have no problem.
WRONG! They failed inspection. And why you may ask? Because the genius that inspected it said our holes needed to be 16 X 16 and I didn’t show where my 4 to 6″ of precast concrete footers would be. Well, this is what happens when you assume how a deck is going to be built. If I were putting my posts directly into my concrete, not using anchor bolts and brackets to protect against moisture transfer, he would be right. Now, had he done the intelligent thing and called the phone number provided we could have cleared this up and avoided his need to fail the holes, then have me call in a early morning, coca cola fueled rage – as these supergeniuses known as Mecklenburg County building inspectors often do – and ask how I was going to build the deck would have been substantially easier. His response to my asking him why he didn’t call to check with me when he was onsite – he’s too busy to call. Right, so, wasting both of our time, driving me insane at the stupidity of the situation and doubling the amount of time spent on one issue makes so much more sense.
Anyway, after that delightful call he passed the holes and the concrete was poured. We immediately began framing out the deck so we could proceed to our next inspection point. Two days later we were ready for inspection and the dreaded call to the inspection line was made.
Now, when we framed the deck out we put at least double the amount of nails and carriage bolts required in addition to using larger lumber than required for the task should have put us in good position to pass inspection. Again, WRONG! We failed. Fortunately, we were there when the inspector came - also fortunate that he wasn’t the same guy that checked the footer holes - and he was able to point out the deficiencies (perceived or real, take your pick) in the deck. While I was ok with a few of the changes he required, a few were unncessary, but as I am painfully learning you can’t fight city hall.
So, with changes made and about $100 of unnecessary lumber added to the deck we called for the follow up framing inspection. The next day I get to the house ready to get going on the hardwood flooring and this is love note from the aforementioned supergenius that failed my footer holes.
That’s right – he failed us! And why did he fail us? No entry. NO ENTRY! Its a flipping deck? Why on earth did he need access to inside the freaking house? To top it off he had to walk across the deck to put this sticker on the back doors of the house.
Now, I’ll admit it must be confusing for him given that there are two building permits for the work going on at the house. All those crazy numbers must be really difficult for him to figure out why he was supposed to be at the house other than the inspection confirmation I get faxed to me from the county lists the task at the very top of the form and it says DECK!
So, yet again I have the pleasure of calling Mr. Supergenius Inspector and he proceeds to tell me that he didn’t realize that he was supposed to be checking the deck. (Note to self, buy him hooked on phonics for Christmas) Then he continued to say that according to his records the framing on the inside of the house hasn’t passed inspection yet. Well, that would be the case because the framing for the inside of the house would not be listed on the building permit for the DECK! After “learning him” that the interior upfit plans are on a separate permit – as required by the rules of his very employer – and that I need him to come back and check the deck so I can get on with finishing it he tells me that he isn’t coming back to the house to look at the deck.
Biting my tongue to avoid a battle royale, I prepared myself to hang up and call some supervisor at the county – who probably could care less either – to get him back out here and do the job that I called him to do. Instead, he proceeds to say that he looked at the deck when he was there, that everything is fine and that he’ll change the inspection to pass.
WHAT!
If he didn’t know he was supposed to be there to inspect the deck, then how the hell did he know that I fixed the three issues that the deck failed for in the first place? All I can say is inagaddadavida! Granted the deck has a joist nearly every 12″ and considering a code plus deck per the county is a joist every 16″ I knew we were well above code and then some. Still, what if I wasn’t overly diligent in making the changes? Is this how this supergenius always does his job? Doesn’t know how to read and then passes something over the phone when he probably didn’t really check what he was called to inspect.
This is beyond unbelieveable and a little unnerving. And again, a simple phone call would have remedied the situation. He could have called the contact number I am required to provide at the time I call for an inspection and when he said that he couldn’t get in the house I could have politely informed him that he was standing on the damn thing he was supposed to inspect. He could have looked to see that I made the changes required and went on his merry way.
Several professionals involved with the construction on the inside like to tell me that this is just how the construction business works. My thing is why do we accept this and just take it for what it is? Why does ignorance, stupidity or just outright laziness rule the roost? It may be funny to relay these stories when having a beer at the end of the day, but the reality of the situation is that this inefficiency caused by laziness or stupidity causes unnecessary delays and increases the cost of construction. In the case of our deck it added $100 to the cost of the deck, but that added roughly 10% to the cost to build. To avoid causing an increase in my blood pressure I’m going to avoid calculating the cost of the nearly four weeks of delays over the inefficiency of the inspection system.
