I was having an inspection for something else, and the inspectors eye was caught by a piece of plywood that was coming off of a porch. As he moved the piece around without unscrewing it he could see some wood underneath that looked deteriorated. He suggested I take off the sheathing so he could see underneath it. I already, since I fixed it in the winter that , that piece is deteriorated on that end. If he see that he would probably tell me to replace the whole main beam, and footers, which will be a lot of work. Do I have to unsheathe more for him, and if so where does it stop.

Ally NJ -- well why not just look at everything that way-- the "what if this" and "what if that"? is covered for life?

Tell him to get lost. They really need blinders on when they come in and look at stuff and not go poking around.

I would not open something for them to see if they are there for something else. They are supposed to be inspecting the work that you have a permit for, not the building.

Of course overall government inspectors think they know more than they do and love the power they have to make you do things. I realized this when I was very young and foolish enough to get a permit on something. They told me all I had to do was finish xx and I would be done. Well, when I called them for xx, they also wanted me to do yy before I would be finished. NOPE, you said xx, and where exactly does it say I need yy. Well he couldn't tell me, and I would not give in so he closed the permit.

It's a slippery slope with inspectors. I had one add stuff to the repair list one time. I could have fought it, but they would have opened a new case (like they are supposed to do anyway). At the end of the day, it was easier to keep in their good graces and just fix the couple simple things they added upon re-inspection. They can make your life hell if they want to. Have to weigh cost vs. benefit on that one.

Most of the time the "code enforcement" knows what they are doing, except in my case -- like all of the time. I am a Licensed Building Contractor with specialty Trades and many Accreditation. Around a dozen times they were dead wrong. Their method of detection and their solutions were just plain dumb. Like they had no idea about construction.

From thee 1970's through the late 1990's Code Enforcement didn't care or deal with dangerous substances and only wanted things fixed and couldn't care less of the tenants or workers got exposed to "Lead", "Mold" or "Asbestos". I had to educate them. And there were many other issues. So I spent more time fighting city hall than looking for more property. This issue cost me big time.

John,

Renters and contractors come and go but inspectors live forever.

Be the easiest guy he's dealt with all day. That will win you favor in the future. Some actually DO help with suggestions. If so make their feel like the smartest guy in town!

Some are PITAs but they live forever too and can make your life miserable for years. Just roll with it and learn to play their game their way.

Back to your porch, it sounds like you know it has problems. So fix the problem before an MBA shows up!

BRAD

If you dont say what the inspection was about then advice is moot.

oops - just re-read the title of post - Never mind

I still dont understand why you people elect people to punish you.

Sounds to me like you didn't really "fixed it in the winter" or did a poor job fixing it.

Now that it's been seen by the inspector, you need to make a proper repair ASAP. Otherwise if something happens it will be entirely on you.

I normally don't like any government official poking their nose into my business. However in this case it seems to me that since you obviously didn't do the right thing last winter someone needs to prod you into doing it now.

The inspector is being your friend. Fix the porch correctly.

I have a love/hate relationship. Because I am a high visibility person in my town, if I pick my nose with my left hand someone is "on" me. People who live in glass houses... and I throw a lot of rocks. I also work with code frequently to clean up blighted properties that affect my property values.

I met our first inspector by cursing her out in her truck from a roof because she gave my name to a slum owner I'd turned in. We became friends after that. I've gone to bat for the department at the council for funding and staffing. And because I've been a city commissioner, and my spouse still is, I need to set the example.

So I'd say, fix it. The inspector may save you a lawsuit.

brad is right on this one. most inspectors are looking at the topic of their visit only, but some of 'em have a real bug up their ace and take their job far too seriously. it's up to you to gauge the ego of the inspector. do what you can to placate him but tell him that you were not working on that spot and do not have time or tools for the reveal and inspecto AT THAT TIME so he will need to reschedule and come back.

he will likely give a time at a later date and if he uses a range of say 2-4 be sure you are there at 3:50 with tools and ready. do not disassemble the building until he is on site

at some point you might just have to make a repair they bless...even if they are wrong. i've been dealing in inspections for 40 years and the path of least resistance is often just soothing their tender ego.

Just to join the chorus I also have an MBA.