Presenting Your Interpretation

              There are times when the plans and the procedures which we are to follow are not clear when constructing a structure. When you are stuck by one you need to present your interpretation of the plans and remind them of you right to deviate from structure, which has been designed, to improve the structure. I have been given instruction to stop working on the project because of material logistic problem since COVID 19. There are many methods use and many preferences to follow to achieve that goal. As long as you do not cover up what need to be inspected and you present a logical method for the inspections then you should be permitted to proceed in moving your project forward. The key here is “should be.” You need to contact the authority and present your view to the head of the inspections from time to time.

              When you call in to make you appointment be professional. If you have difficulty in some matter, announce it upfront so it doesn’t become an issue. Take the time to walk the inspector through the steps you wish to take to bring about your goal and how your steps will not interfere with their ability to inspect your craftsmanship.

If you wish to add a feature which is not on the plans but improves the overall project then explain to the inspector why you wish to perform the extra steps and how it improves the overall project. The blueprints and the laws and ordinances are a minimum standard. You can build a better, or more efficient structure. It is important that you let the inspector know that you know they are part of your team which has the goal of building the best structure possible.

Be prepared to answer questions and have drawing which show the details of what you are attempting to do. I like reading and watching other methods for achieving the steps to build structures. As materials change, and are created the method we use to construct building also need to change. When you show that your new desired method doesn’t weaken the structure and that the owner is in line with your thought process then the inspector often times will tell you it’s a gray matter. Thank them for agreeing, inspectors interpret the laws and ordinances. Those laws and ordinances are black and white; all gray matters belong to the public. If you remain polite and respectful you should be permitted to proceed, providing no step you desire to take hides from view some item that need to be inspected in the future.

Do not take this matter personally, but life is not fair, there is no justice. There are laws and procedures and sometimes authorities hide behind them to try to protect the majority. Still there are those with authority who hide behind these laws and ordinances to shield themselves from public view to manipulate the system. You have the right to voice you opinion but it is better to build a bridge than to burn one down. You never know when you may need to cross again.

Note: Images on this blog site are from a free source or taken by the author. No image or group of photos is intended to represent the people the author serves. The author does not care about Race (that is a politically correct term that he does not like because we are all of the same Race, the Human Race. He prefers the term ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, marital status, disability, genetic information, national origin, source of income, Veteran or military status, ancestry, citizenship, primary language or immigration status.) He is a service provider for all people. We will all rise together when we band together and help one another. Joseph Erwin is a Real Estate Broker, DRE # O2131799, and a CA general contractor # B 696662.  He resides in Southern California.