Building Inspections: What Inspectors Check and How to Prepare

A building inspection is an independent review of construction work by a certified government inspector who confirms the work meets local building codes. Inspections happen at specific stages of a project before the work is covered — because once drywall goes up, no one can verify the wiring or plumbing without tearing it down. Understanding what inspectors check and how to prepare helps your project move through the process smoothly.

Inspections protect you, not the contractor. They are the one independent check on quality in a process where you otherwise rely entirely on your contractor's competence and honesty.

What do building inspectors actually check?

The scope of each inspection depends on the type and stage of work. Foundation inspections verify soil preparation, footings, and concrete pour quality. Framing inspections check structural members, header sizing, sheathing, and connection hardware. Rough-in inspections examine electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, and HVAC ductwork before they're concealed. Final inspections confirm that all work is complete, all components function, and the building is safe for occupancy.

Inspectors do not evaluate aesthetics — they check code compliance. A beautifully finished basement with dangerously undersized wiring will pass inspection on appearance and fail on safety. Inspectors focus on life-safety and structural issues: proper wire gauge, ground fault protection, water heater pressure relief, structural connections, and similar code-required items.

How do I schedule a building inspection?

Your contractor schedules inspections by contacting the local building department and requesting an inspection for the appropriate phase of work. In most jurisdictions, inspection requests are made online or by phone 24–48 hours in advance. The building department assigns a date and time window (usually a half-day window like “morning” or “afternoon”). The contractor should be present during the inspection.

As the homeowner, you have the right to be present during any inspection. This is often worth doing, especially for complex projects — you can hear directly from the inspector what passed, what failed, and what the correction involves.

What happens when an inspection fails?

A failed inspection results in a correction notice specifying the code violations and required corrections. Work must be corrected before proceeding to the next phase. The contractor schedules a re-inspection after corrections are made. Multiple failed inspections on the same phase are a yellow flag about contractor competence or shortcuts.

Failed inspections add time and sometimes cost to a project. A reputable, experienced contractor in your jurisdiction knows what the local building department looks for and submits work that passes the first time. Frequent failures may indicate the contractor isn't keeping up with current code requirements in your area.

Can I look up inspection history for my home?

Yes. Inspection records are typically public records. Your local building department maintains inspection history by property address. You can request this history to understand what permits were pulled for work on your home, whether inspections were completed, and whether any corrections were issued and resolved. This is particularly valuable when buying a home or investigating work done by a prior owner.

In many jurisdictions, permit and inspection records are available online through the building department's web portal. Search by address to see the complete permit and inspection history.

What should I do if my contractor refuses to schedule required inspections?

A contractor who proceeds past inspection-required stages without scheduling inspections is violating the terms of the permit and potentially your contract. Do not allow work to proceed to a stage where the previous work would be concealed without a passed inspection. This is a firm line.

If your contractor refuses to schedule inspections, contact your local building department directly. Explain the situation. The building department has enforcement authority and can issue stop-work orders. You can also file a complaint with your state's contractor licensing board if the contractor holds a license.

Verify your contractor's license before hiring at CheckLicensed.comfor $0.99. A licensed contractor understands that inspections are non-negotiable and will schedule them appropriately — because their license depends on it.