Building Inspector Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Building Inspector? Well a building inspector decided after a good 8 years or more that we have been living in this house to call the porch outside unfit. So unless we pay the bill I'm sure they are working on evicting us. That's not even half of the story but what I don't get here is that the porch has been in the condition it's been in for quite a while now; is it right for them to do this? In my opinion the deck is not going to kill any one, it's not like a bridge that is on a public highway that needs serious repair (hmm...and I could name a quite a few of those??). Even complaining about the stuff that is in the yard (there is not really much of anything in the yard at all just a can that looks like a bucket wow one thing...??) Any who..what rights do we have and can we file some sort of appeal? seems pretty opressive to go after people like that I could see it if we had a junkyard out in our yard but we don't. I could see it if the porch were in the highway/road nearby but it isn't.. and for the most part we do not even walk on the porch really ..I just find it strange that people who nose around on a persons property get payed and then get to evict them off of it..so who is going to get the property? The bank? and they can afford to sell it ? I'm sure if they did fix it up as it is supposed to be no one would want to buy it as it would be so high priced.. and for the most part we do not even walk on the porch really ..I just find it strange that people who nose around on a persons property get payed and then get to evict them off of it..so who is going to get the property? The bank? and they can afford to sell it ? I'm sure if they did fix it up as it is supposed to be no one would want to buy it as it would be so high priced.. The rent is already nearing 900 right now and the house is in very very poor shape..Who in their right mind is going to pay 2000 or so a month to stay in a house? lol.. Just makes me laugh but seriously that is pathetic.. paying on a mortgage so we don't own it yet..after 30 years or so it will be considered owned.. We live in Rhode Island by the way.

Answer: Are you renting or do you own the house? Why would you care if you are renting for 900? It would be the landlord's issue, not yours. You said: In my opinion the deck is not going to kill any one, it's not like a bridge that is on a public highway that needs serious repair (hmm...and I could name a quite a few of those??). That is irrelevant. If the porch is in bad and shape and doesn't meet code TODAY, then it does not matter it hasn't met code for the past 8 years. You didn't say what state or city you are in. Generally, you can file an appeal. Try posting in Craigslist: Legal

Question: If I get a building inspector to evaluate my rental house, can my landlord evict me? I have been having terrible burnt rubber smells coming through my walls from my neighbour's unit. I rent a town house. The landlord will not do anything and nobody else will help me, even the health dept. So, I am planning on getting a building inspector in to investigate. Do I have the right to do this? And, can my landlord evict me for doing so?

Answer: Dear Tenant, First, your Landlord can ask you to leave through the process of eviction at any time. Whether the reason is legally applied or not. Meaning; If they want to evict you because you are the best Tenant they ever had, and even thou it may not be what you call a, "Legal Reason to Evict" reason. The Landlord has the right to terminate your lease whenever they chose too. But they do have to legally notify you according to the laws in your state, if they want the law on their side. As for the Inspector approach, if you can get one to come out and inspect, then I would say yes. Because it would document it as to making an inquiry as to what the smell could be and what if any health problems there are. As far as the Landlord goes, most responsible Landlords don't care as long as you pay for the inspection, and any costs involved. Whether you would have grounds for submitting the bills/receipts to the Landlord or not and getting your money back is totally up to the state laws. But having insight and a possible way to handle this problem, I would say this. 1. You could go over to your neighbors and ask if they smell anything like rubber burning. And when they open the door take notice if you smell anything funny. 2. If you smell something like burning rubber, do what I call the absolute legal way to get it inspected now approach. Call the Fire Department and tell them you smell burnt rubber coming from your walls. Then wait for them to show up. Yes, they will probably show up light and sirens, but consider the alternative possibilities of whats burning. When they show up, they will inspect every bit of wall for heat, smell for burning rubber and above all, they should go over to the next door neighbors and investigate as well. And they should even look in the attic if any. But definitely tell the fire department that, "there are no open flames that you are aware of, as long as you do not see them yourself". This will solve the problem as far as immediate smell issue and possibly you feeling that your life may be in jeapordy. 3. Be aware of the after effects of your actions. That no matter what you decide to do. The Landlord may have to fix things that might be wrong and by doing so, they may terminate your lease so that they can do remodeling. This could be there way of saying, "That's for causing problems". If you do not have available means to move out of the dwelling you are in now, then I would suggest that you prepare yourself for that emergency move. Just in case. As far as legality isues with your lease, I would suggest that after you get your inspection done privately for your dwelling only, take that information to an Attorney and have it as proof for any further future developments that may arise. I wish you well. If you would like to know how to get an Affordable Attorney, you may contack me via my email address.

Question: How can I become a commercial and residential building or custruction inspector? Building inspectors ensure builders are within construction guidelines set by legislature. I would like to manufacture residential and commercial buildings as a career. With this in mind I believe that becoming a building inspector will help in becoming a successful builder.

Answer: or going back to school or working for a builder for awhile might also work. Check out the schools that are licensed by the state to teach these courses. Some of the learning may be found online but, this is probably one situation where you might want to SEE what they have to teach! Good Luck.

Question: Is a construction and or building inspector a good career choice? I am wanting to know if a construction and or building inspector would be a good career choice? What does it take to get into this field in the state on Indiana? Do you know of any schools that teach this in the Fort Wayne IN area? I have 4 years as a drywall hanger and 2 years as a plumbers apprentice, would any of this help me?

Answer: Sure, it's a good career. It doesn't pay a whole lot, but you get to work for a local government, and they have great benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. You could probably get hired on a probationary period, and then get sent to take some courses on becoming state certified. Go for it!

Question: what is the probability that a building inspector? If 6 of 18 new buildings in a city violate the building code, what is the probability that a building inspector, who randomly selects 4 of the new buildings for inspection, will catch (a) none of the buildings that violate the building code; (b) 1 of the new buildings that violate the building code; (c) 2 of the new buildings that violate the building code; (d) at least 3 of the new buildings that violate the building code? PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer: This is a BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION problem. The probability of exactly x successes is n trials is: P(X=x)=b(x;n,p) = (nCx)(p^x)((1-p)^(n-x)) where nCx is number of combinations of n things taken x at a time, and "^" means exponentiation. n = 4 p = 6/18 = .3333 For x = 0,P(X=0) = (4C0)(0.3333^0)(0.6667^4) = 0.1976 xp(X=x) 00.197570373 10.395081479 20.29627 30.098740742 40.012340741 At least 3 means 3 or 4: 0.098740742 + 0.012340741 = .1108

Question: Is it OK to have a building inspector evaluate my rental unit? What does a building inspector charge & how do I chose one? My rental unit has MANY questionable problems that I think may be illegal & NOT up to code. My Landlord is unconcerned & unresponsive to most of these problems. So should I call a building inspector? If they find problems or violations - what happens from there? Can a landlord retaliate after a tenent does this? Thanks:)

Answer: There are people that work for the city that will come out and do this for free. Call your local city/county office and get the number of the building inspector in your area. Alot of times they will give you the time and date the last inspection was done. Landlord are usually only required to do this every couple of years. You can also report your landlord to the same. A landlord can try and evict you or retaliate in some way, but you will ultimately never be at fault as long as your doing everything you agreed to do as a tenant. If you do end up paying for a private inspector, and problems are found, the landlord would aslo ultimately be responsible for these charges.

Question: What can be done about corrupt building inspector? We just moved into a new construction home & I am certain that the building inspector "looked the other way" on some issues in our home. I have no hard proof, just common sense. There are two major safety issues, one of which amounts to a 10 ft concrete hole in the ground in our backyard. (Actually, it's an outside stairwell that runs parallel to an exterior wall. No railing from preventing anyone from just walking off the lawn into the side of the stairwell. We are getting a railing installed, to the tune of $1000.) The other one is a laundry chute which is simply a hole in the floor behind a closet door. Again, a safety issue, which we have addressed. I have 2 small children and it angers me that our builder was probably involved in paying off an inspector in order to save money himself, at the risk of my kids' lives. Any ideas?

Answer: find out what the actual building code are and go from that stand point. You may be able to sue the contractor or file a claim at the BBB about the contractor. You may not be able to do anything about the building inspector. Remember, you may need a building permit one day to build a storage shed or a gazebo or something. Making that guy mad would end up undermining your plans. Ppl are vindictive.

Question: how long does it take to get a occupancy permit from the building inspector? i live in indiana and we had a house fire and we have gotten a new home on the old foundation and everything is finished except we are waiting on the building inspector to to the inspection for the occupancy permit. how long does this usually take?

Answer: When I built my house, I had no problems, worked with the inspector at all the steps, corrected everything he pointed out, discussed points we didn't agree on and agreed on a direction before he left. When he came out for the final inspection, he brought the occupancy permit with him so I had no wait time. It was about 3 days from setting the appointment until I could get the inspection. I was lucky though, the guy I had, had been a builder and had also built his own house. He had a lot of good suggestions I incorporated into mine. I was building mine from a book, the wife had no faith, HA... I will say the permit process was O...M...G.... I had built pig sheds, but who wants their house to look like a pig shed :-)

Question: Does a DWI have a big effect on you chance of becoming a Building inspector? I'm thinking about becoming a building inspector and I have a DWI. Will I still be able to take the OR state building inspection licence test?

Answer: One shouldn't effect it that much i wouldn't think...just dont get anymore!

Question: How to become a Home/Building Inspector? I am looking into the career of possibly becoming a home/building inspector. I understand that there is training involved. I would like to be licensed and not just take a class. I have a BA degree in English. But, I am looking more into a career that has some type of license to it. Anyone familiar with the process?

Answer: of course there are licenses, and you can probably check with your state with the types of licenses they recognize