Inspector Insights

Inspector Insights by Mark Puppe, Communications & Public Affairs Strategist

The International Codes do more than establish measurements, they allow building officials to accept inspection reports from approved agencies or individuals.

Mike Blevins of Midwest Inspection Services is among those approved individuals. He supports the building industry and officials by providing residential and commercial building inspection services to four of the hottest housing markets in North Dakota: Casselton, Kindred, Mapleton and Oxbow.

Our area is experiencing unprecedented growth, but rapid growth often creates frustrating ambiguities, unreasonable expectations and preventable costs for inspectors and builders. Blevins shares ideas below to ensure the inspection process is timely, coherent and cost-effective.

“One conflict I see on projects is the perception that a building inspector is a know-it-all, or they are there to make things difficult for the builder. Our main concern as an inspector should be building and life safety. If the builder and the inspector make every effort to use the building code as a tool for providing safe homes for families to enjoy, then we can approach each project on the same level.

“The inspection process works best when expectations align with the codes and circumstances that apply at the time of inspection. Standards such as ‘The last inspector did not require this,’ ‘We have been doing it this way for 30 years,’ or ‘Contractor X didn't have to do this on his build last year ’ can muddy the waters. As a general rule, we can look back at past projects to learn from our mistakes, identify concerns, or items missed by a previous inspector (self-included), but we should never use this past deficiency as a standard.

“The code is a living document. It is constantly being improved on, changed and updated as new technologies emerge. As designers, builders and inspectors we need to embrace changes, learn from every experience and hopefully grow in our understanding.

"The codes establish standards that include requirements to assist in the construction of safe homes. Inspectors do not have all of the answers and most of us are in a continuous state of learning. We should always be willing to listen and learn. I have learned a lot over the years from conversations with contractors, builders and tradesmen. Our area builders do a great job and I believe they genuinely care about craftsmanship and quality. You don't always find this outside of our region.

“It might go without saying, but as builders and inspectors, we need to remember and apply something that tends to be forgotten in exploding markets: Use open minds, be reasonable, show respect and most of all, be safe.”

"We need to remember and apply something that tends to be forgotten in exploding markets: Use open minds, be reasonable, show respect and most of all, be safe.

MIKE BLEVINS

Mike Blevins provides residential and commercial building inspection services to four of the hottest housing markets in North Dakota.