Last Updated on February 5, 2025 by teamobn
When you build a home or an extension to your existing home, from scratch, it (usually) feels really rewarding. But, with the pleasure, there’s also the risk of pain (and we don’t mean a hammered thumb)!
Every single nail, wire, and pipe, every piece of structural material and every tool has to meet strict codes and regulations. If you’re a pro, you already know what you’re in for and you’re mentally prepared for everything that comes with the less-than-pleasant part of the work.
But that doesn’t mean you can guarantee that everything will go according to your plan. Building inspections are completely unpredictable and inspectors don’t miss much.
So how do you get an approval instead of a delay? Let’s find out!
Contents
Owner-Builders vs. Professional Contractors
You both want the same thing – a successful, high-quality project. But a pro will never go about it the same way an owner-builder would.
Owner-Builders’ Strengths
As an owner-builder, you can add a personal touch and inject creativity into every detail of the project. A less emotional (or not), but very important item is also budget management. The good thing is that you save on contractors which means you can buy more materials for the project.
And on the other hand, you gain experience and understanding of the materials, techniques, and difficulty of this work, which will be very useful in future projects.
Owner-Builders’ Challenges
If you are embarking on these kinds of projects, take them really seriously because even though it may look relatively easy at the outset, you will likely encounter some hurdles along the way.
A lack of basic knowledge about the processes themselves can run up additional costs and can take a lot of time to resolve. Before starting your project, it is necessary to know both general and local building regulations and codes.
Failure to comply with local codes and regulations can lead to you failing to pass inspections or worse, possible legal problems. You also need to balance time and resources well so that you don’t exceed the budget altogether.
And beyond law and regulation, also think about safety. Working with power tools, ladders or with utilities such as electricity, water and gas, can be extremely dangerous if not handled correctly. You need to have some level of skill in what you’re doing. Ideally, also some experience.
How the Pros Do It
When professionals take the stage, there is no maybe this or maybe that. They know exactly what to do and that the project must comply with all legal regulations, and for this, they’ll use all their knowledge of construction-related codes and regulations.
And since they are good with construction, they are also good with inspections, so it is easier to get faster approvals.
If you know what inspectors are looking for or looking at, you can easily make all the preparatory steps in the planning stage of the project. Also, once the project is finished, you’ll be able to do a self-inspection to ensure you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. If something is amiss, you’ll easily be able to spot the issue on time and correct it to avoid a penalty or fine.
Imagine professionals as well-established machines that have their own working principles so that nothing gets stuck. This enables them to manage deadlines, and budgets and to work with maximum efficiency.
What You Need to Focus on To Pass Inspections
Passing the inspection or not, depends a lot on how well you’re prepared; let’s take a closer look.
Foundation and Structural Integrity
Certain depth, drainage, and reinforcement must be respected so familiarize yourself with local regulations on proper excavation and quality requirements. If this is messed up, the structure and stability are threatened and everything else falls into the water (sometimes literally).
Keep in mind that, when working in construction, in some U.S. states it’s mandated by law to have a contractor license in order to work (regardless of whether you’re an owner-builder or a professional).
Electrical Systems
This part is perhaps even the most questioned because safety is put first, because of the extra danger electricity presents. Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) according to which all wires, sockets, and switches must be properly installed.
If you aren’t experienced, knowledgeable, or confident enough to fiddle with electricity, it’s best to hire a professional to do it for you.
And if you’re still unsure about electricity, it might be best to simply hire a licensed electrician.
Plumbing
Which one is worse – when the water supply or drainage is not working properly? The answer is – neither. Check for leaky connections, correct pipe size, and proper pressure as these are traps you can fall into. Look after local regulations and be sure to pressure test the system before the inspection.
Code Compliance
Owner-builders are allowed to do projects without supervision and licensed contractors, but – they have to follow all the rules like them and pass all inspections. This ensures quality and responsibility.
Everything seems like it goes towards passing the inspection, that’s only half the battle. For the project to succeed and for you to become an owner-builder, it is important to follow all codes throughout the process – for you, not for the inspection.
If you’re doing everything yourself, make sure to check the state’s (or local) regulations in regard to licensing, so that you don’t risk a possible fine. If you do have to own a valid license in order to legally operate, it’s never a bad idea to prepare for the contractor license exam well, so that you increase your chance of passing it on your first try.
Research is your friend and you’re in for a good deal of it because every municipality has its own building codes. Once you have all the permits you need, review your plans again to ensure you didn’t miss anything.
And stay open-minded with inspectors. There’s a chance something will be confusing or unclear, so ask them to explain.
Conclusion
Home projects are exciting; in theory. But get ready to work hard and be exhausted for a while. Do your homework – watch tutorials, research regulations, and ask as many annoying questions as you need.
You only have one life. While this statement might be grim, it’s also very true. Think of safety. Don’t cut corners. Safety should always be at the top of your list of priorities. All the other things come after you’ve ensured a safe working environment.
And if you find ever yourself being bested by a challenge, or if push comes to shove, do yourself a favor and hire a pro.