A new home or remodeling project can’t be started or completed in Minnesota without a building permit and the proper inspections. Many contractors and home owners try to avoid the inspector at all costs. You should happily invite them in. The inspectors are there for one reason, and that is to make sure your home is a safe place to live.
You will have rough-in and final inspections. Before the drywall can be installed the framing and all of the mechanicals must be inspected. The mechanical inspector will look at how the heating, plumbing, fireplace and electrical was installed according to each manufactures specific installation instructions. The framing inspector will look at how the walls, headers, flooring and trusses were installed. Also looking for mistakes that were caused by subcontractors who may have damaged the wood products during their installation.
Each city will have their own building department or they will contract it out to an inspection company. There is a building code book that each inspector will follow when conducting their inspections. Sometimes you will find an inspector from one city will interpret a specific code differently than another city. This can be frustrating and possibly slow the process down.
Believe it or not, not all city inspectors are created equal. There are cities like Blaine, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Rogers, Chaska and others that know the code and enforce it. These cities want only the best for the homeowner and the contractor. Remodeling and building is serious business and the safety and well being of the homeowner should never be taken for granted. Let us all work together.