Day: March 13, 2026

 My contractor says he will take care of all inspections and observations during construction. Is this a good idea?

March 13, 2026 Leave a comment admin Uncategorized

The short answer is that for some inspections, yes—but for others, definitely not. To understand why, it helps to look at the three most common types of inspections involved in a construction project.

1. Building Inspector

The first type of inspection is performed by the building inspector from the local jurisdiction. Their primary responsibility is to verify that construction is proceeding in accordance with the approved plans and that the work complies with the applicable provisions of all relevant building codes. These inspections are typically provided at no charge by the responsible jurisdiction as part of the permitting process.

2. Deputy Inspector (Special Inspection)

The second type of inspection is known as special inspection, often performed by a deputy inspector. Special inspections are required for certain critical or specialized construction activities, particularly those related to seismic performance. Examples include welding, anchor installation, high-strength bolting, and other structural components.

The role of the special inspector is to verify that materials and installation—including nails, bolts, hardware, and other structural elements—are installed in accordance with the approved plans, the applicable code requirements, and the manufacturer’s specifications.

Section 1704.2 of the California Building Code requires that special inspectors be retained by the owner or the owner’s representative. The intent of this requirement is to maintain independence and avoid potential conflicts of interest. For example, if a special inspector identifies work that requires costly corrections, a contractor might otherwise be reluctant to continue working with that inspector. Having the inspector retained by the owner helps ensure objectivity and integrity in the inspection process.

3. Engineer of Record (Structural Observation)

The third type of inspection is performed by the engineer of record and is formally referred to as structural observation. The purpose of structural observation is to confirm that the structural system is being constructed in general conformance with the approved structural plans and design intent.

Similar to special inspectors, structural observers are retained by the owner, and their primary responsibility is to represent the interests of the project owner and verify that the structural design intent is being followed.

California Building Code – 1704.2 Special Inspections and Tests
Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in Section 105, or 1.8.4, as applicable, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall employ one or more approved agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in Section 1705 and identify the approved agencies to the building official. These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the building official that are identified in Section 110.

My contractor says the inspector wants something that isn’t on the plans and that it will be an extra cost. Can this happen?

March 13, 2026 Leave a comment admin Inspection

When this situation occurs, it is generally because the required work is something the contractor should have known and completed, or it is the result of incomplete or unclear plans.

Inspectors cannot require additional work that is not supported by the approved plans or the applicable building codes. Their job is to verify that the project is being built in accordance with the approved plans and the applicable codes. If an inspector identifies an error in the plans or determines that something required by the code is missing, they may issue a correction notice. That correction should reference the specific code section that applies.

Once issued, the correction must be addressed by the design team—typically the architect or engineer—and then resubmitted to the building department for review and approval.

It is also important to understand that not every code requirement is explicitly written on the plans. If every provision of the building codes were reproduced on the drawings, the plan set would be hundreds of pages long. For this reason, construction documents typically include a general note similar to the following:

“All work must comply with the applicable local, county, state, and federal laws and regulations having jurisdiction over the project.”

The contractor is responsible for constructing the project in compliance with all applicable codes, whether or not every detail is explicitly shown on the drawings.

In short, inspectors do not create new requirements in the field. Their role is to enforce the approved plans and the applicable building codes. If a legitimate change is required, it must go through the proper design and approval process rather than being introduced informally during construction.

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Will My House Survive an Earthquake?

March 13, 2026 Leave a comment admin Uncategorized
We are often asked whether a new house will be earthquake‑proof. It’s an understandable question. Homeowners want reassurance that their investment and their family will be safe. But the honest answer is no, your house is not earthquake proof. Modern building codes are not intended to guarantee that a structure will remain undamaged or fully functional after a major earthquake. Instead, the primary goal is life safety.
 
Seismic design requirements focus on preventing collapse. A properly engineered home should remain standing even during a severe earthquake, giving you the ability to survive the shaking and safely exit the building. Damage may still occur—cracked walls, broken finishes, or shifted contents—but the structure itself should not fail. A well‑designed, code‑compliant house is intended to keep you safe, avoid catastrophic structural failure, and remain standing afterward. It may still require repairs depending on the severity of the event, but its primary purpose is to protect the people inside. A helpful way to think about it is to compare it to a car’s crumple zones: the vehicle may deform during a collision, but that controlled deformation is what protects the occupants.
 
Designing a structure that could withstand every possible earthquake without any damage would be extraordinarily expensive and may not even be possible. Instead, buildings are designed to perform well under code‑defined seismic forces.