How Many Inspections Does It Take Before We Can Screw In A Light Bulb?

A comment on our previous post got me (Catherine, as usual) thinking, how many inspections does it really take, from start to finish, before we can occupy our home?

I did a little fishing around on my not-so-favorite but most visited website (DPD) and found that it takes 8 construction inspections, 3 electrical inspections, 4 sewer/down spout installation inspections, 1 conference and 1 site visit.  That doesn’t include the extra ECA reviews we did.  The construction inspections typically happen in this order, but not always:

1. PASV :  A pre application site visit is provided to evaluate a site's characteristics and the impacts of proposed development.
2. FIRST GRND : A first ground disturbance inspection is provided to verify conformance with code requirements when earth is moved.
3. PRE CON :  A pre construction conference is provided to advise customers of geotechnical and/or structural code requirements.
4. TESC : A temporary erosion and sediment control monitoring inspection is provided when earth is moved to verify conformance with code requirements.
5. FOUNDATION : A foundation inspection is provided to verify that a structure's underlying support conforms to code requirements.
6. STRUCTURAL : A structural inspection is provided to verify lateral and uplift restraint, diaphragm and other structural code requirements.
7. FRAMING : A framing inspection is provided to verify that a structure's assembly conforms to code requirements.
8. INSULATION : An insulation inspection is provided to verify conformance to code requirements before covering walls, ceilings, floors or underground.
9. SET BACK : A set back inspection is provided to verify an installation's location.
10. FINAL : A final inspection is provided to verify that a completed project conforms to code requirements.

You can be working towards passing multiple inspections simultaneously.  And not all projects will really have to worry about #4. We’re building on a steep slope and that really effected our progress timeline.  Most people don’t have their geotech on speed dial like we do. :)

The other thing about building from scratch or any remodel is just because you have to pass up to 15 inspections doesn’t mean you’ll only have 15 inspections.  I think we’ve had at least 21 already.  You can be issued a PARTIAL PASS which means that you are nearly there, but the inspector has some minor corrections for you to take care of. 

Good inspectors give you all their corrections at once but I’ve heard about a few inspectors that will have you calling for multiple framing, structural or electrical inspections because they didn’t give you a complete list of corrections after their first visit.  Those are your tax dollars (if you live in King County) at work.

In total, you need to pass 15 inspections from start to finish before you can move in and screw in that first light bulb.  This doesn’t include the reviews required just to get a building permit issued.  It took us 2 months to get that.  This is why it takes people 18-24 months to build a house in Seattle.  We’re hoping to keep it to 11 months from start (discussions with architect) to finish (move-in).