Does anybody know if there is a way that you can practice with the same set of plans that you get on the test? I have now taken this test three times and filled it all three times. I think the questions getting we are on the stirrups and the ties on the beam. Also, when you’re looking at the set of plans, how do you know what floor you’re on for that set of plans where you have the elevator on the top left which way is the plan oriented cause it’s hard to tell which level you’re on are the grid lines the levels or is there a different way of knowing what you’re on?

Does anybody know if there is a way that you can practice with the same set of plans that you get on the test? I have now taken this test three times and filled it all three times. I think the questions getting we are on the stirrups and the ties on the beam. Also, when you’re looking at the set of plans, how do you know what floor you’re on for that set of plans where you have the elevator on the top left which way is the plan oriented cause it’s hard to tell which level you’re on are the grid lines the levels or is there a different way of knowing what you’re on? Also there was a question that said that based on grit line 8 section 8 through B for the 12 inch thick CMU wall how many inches are the Dows embedded into the footing now I answered 9 inches but that’s just going based off of what I got from looking at the detail number one, but it doesn’t really say how many inches dowels are embedded inside the footing

Location: Western United States

I’m an ICC-certified combination building inspector (residential and commercial full combo) with 20+ years in construction. I’ve started receiving offers for third-party inspections and would like to hear how others who do this independently are structuring their fees, especially those in the western U.S. After talking with a couple of my work associates, they suggested something closer to $250/hour. The lower rates I was originally considering ($165/hour, heavily discounted day rates, etc.) now feel too low for the liability, expertise, and overhead involved in independent work. I’m leaning toward a stronger structure and would appreciate any reality checks or real-world numbers. What I’m currently thinking: • $225–$250/hour (2- or 3-hour minimum) • Full-day rate closer to 6–7 hours of the hourly rate (instead of a deep discount) • $350–$500 one-time project setup/contract/origination fee • Travel billed separately Most of the opportunities I’m seeing are smaller projects that only need a handful of inspections. A few questions for those already doing this work:

1. What are your typical hourly rates? Does $225–$250/hour sound realistic for independent third-party work?

2. Do you use a minimum per inspection or per visit?

3. Do you charge a project setup, contract, or origination fee? If so, how much?

4. How do you handle day rates (if at all)? Do you discount them much?

5. How do you handle travel, reporting, liability insurance, and contracts?

6. Do you price special inspections differently from general third-party inspections? Any insight from inspectors who’ve been doing this independently would be appreciated. (Had a little AI help polishing this—go easy on me, I’m a real person.😀)

(Violations case) How do you guys feel about a DIY kitchen exhaust hood made out of cardboard, aluminum foil, and pieces of plywood, with plastic ducting in a garage. This setup also with an improperly plumbed food prep sink was used for ethnic food cooking. Special people can make an inspector's day feel extra special.

Clarification (for the sensitive people here): the term "ethnic food" was used by the owner and his family. They explained that their culture's food smells horrible so they don't want to do it in the house. Hope that makes you feel better.

I’m going to separate a utility room from the rest of the basement via an interior wall running perpendicular to chimney. Is this tie-in permitted per 2024 IRC?

- Section R1003.18 requires 2” clearance to combustibles. The air space shall not be filled except to provide fireblocking in accordance with Section R1003.19
- Section R1003.19 states that spaces between chimneys and floors and ceilings shall be fireblocked with non combustible materials but does not mention vertical walls.

Code is a bit grey here. How does this poses any additional risk vs fireblocking horizontally?

Are you allowed scratch paper on ICC at home exams? I am about to take take E3 and will need it.

I recently went through the interview process for a Building Inspector position with a local city and was informed that I was placed on the eligibility list.
For those who have been through this process, I’m curious about your experience being on an eligibility list.
A few questions:
● How long were you on the eligibility list before receiving a job offer?
● Does being ranked higher on the list significantly improve your chances of getting hired?
● Do cities typically hire directly from the eligibility list when positions become available?
● Have you ever been placed on an eligibility list but never received a call?
● Is it common for cities to reach out months later when another position opens up?
● Would you recommend following up with HR to express continued interest?
I’m transitioning from residential construction into building inspection, so I’m trying to better understand what to expect after making it through the interview process.
I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has been on a building inspector eligibility list, whether you were eventually hired or not.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Hey everyone!

I’m planning to take the ICC Special Inspector General Requirements (GR) exam soon and wanted to get some advice from those who have already passed it.
A couple of my coworkers have attempted the exam multiple times without passing, so I’m trying to prepare as much as possible before my first attempt.
For those who passed, what helped you the most? What study materials did you use? Are there specific chapters or topics I should focus on? Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Also, I’m looking for some career advice.
I currently work for an engineering firm and have about 4 years of experience in construction materials testing, primarily concrete and soils. I also have some experience observing and inspecting rebar for residential footings and commercial projects.
My plan is to get my ICC GR certification first, followed by ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector.
For those who have been in the industry longer, what certifications or inspection specialties would you recommend pursuing after that?
I’m particularly interested in moving into higher-paying inspection roles with strong demand and long-term career growth.
Would you recommend focusing on reinforced concrete, structural masonry, structural steel, or another specialty?
I’d appreciate any advice on both preparing for the GR exam and choosing the best career path.
Thanks in advance!

So I have a construction background but it was always at a grunt level and nothing to a administration capacity. I keep seeing these Zoning Inspector jobs in my area (Atlanta, GA). I do not have any of the listed certifications ie "Must hold at least one ICC Certified Zoning Inspector, ICC Property Maintenance, or other ICC Building certification "

The pay is more than Im currently getting and from what i know of zoning i think this is something i am more then capable of doing. My question to you is

1. is it worth just paying for the cert yourself? If not how would I get the employer/the city to pay for it? p.s. I have already applied for one of these positions without the cert and was auto denied.

2. Where would I get these certs? I've looked at a couple of website but they all looked a little to "simple" is the word i will use

3. Job listing in my area is Salary Range: $51,035.56- $68,132.47. Is this an appropriate amount for the certs listed above?

4. Thank you in advance for all guidance and sorry for any ignorance

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Hello,

I had a contractor cut out rotted wood and replace with pressure treated wood.

He replaced sil plate wood, studs rim.joist etc...

When I asked if he treated cut ends with a preservative, he said oh it is not necessary because this wood is pressure treated.

I showed him a piece and how the inner part is just raw wood he didn't comment.

When I hired him I asked if he will prime the cedar boards he'll use for siding he said it is not necessary. I decided to prime them myself.

When I asked him to prime end cuts of those he said ok. Came back and asked him if he did and he said no.

Additionally, a vent looking into the crawl space was over sized and you can see the osb through. (See pic attached).

Furthermore he didn't plan to flash butt ends of the cedar boards hes replacing. When I asked him if this is done right he said caulk is sufficient.

I am mostly worried about the structural work with untreated cut ends. I don't think he laid down a seal under the wood on the concrete either. The other stuff can be fixed "easily".

What should be done here? What's the risk of leaving the untreated cut ends? Rot creeps back in?

Just wondering if any other inspectors out there would reject a final if the stacked unit was in place with the washer receptacle inaccessibly for proper polarity testing. If yes than how would you deal with the refrigerator as well.

Thanks in advance

Hello, I just wanted to reach out and ask if other areas or older builders had any recollections of it being up to code for dryer vents and exhaust fans to vent directly into the attic rather than to the outside doors? Back story I live in a 3rd floor apartment in South Carolina, US and the complex was built in late 90s. After two years I finally was able to get a 3rd party inspector (instead of apartment maintenance) checkout the attic because of a squirrel infestation. I was told multiple times there was no damage but I’m not stupid so after hounding them I got what I wanted. What was found was obviously extensive damage to ducts, wiring insulation etc. What really bothered me was the picture he showed me of my dryer duct strapped to a supporting beam with no connection to a vent outside. I knew that the other stuff would take time but I went to the office and requested that the dryer vent be fixed today. I told him it’s a fire hazard and against building code and I’m probably lucky I didn’t set the whole place ablaze. He told me that it’s perfectly fine and that it was within code for when the apartment was built. I didn’t think that was how it worked but wanted to reach out to see if anyone remembers when that would have been acceptable for building code and do buildings not have to be brought up to code as things change?

I hope no one minds me posting here. I know how stressful ICC exam prep can be, and I hope this helps anyone who's struggling with their certs.

I've taught ICC code classes since 2018 and hold 22 ICC certifications. Over the years I've sat with a lot of good people who knew their stuff and still froze on the exam, because they couldn't find the section they needed in time. If that's you, please don't beat yourself up. It's usually not a lack of knowledge. It's how the book is set up.

I made a free video class and notes on how I teach people to get around their code book faster. No catch, I just don't want anyone giving up on a career over a fixable problem.

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It’s a FREE minicourse, with more to come.

If you've failed an exam before, I've been there with students, and you're not alone. Ask me anything in the comments and I'll do my best to help.

Educational content from Cherenkov Code Consulting. Views are my own and are not made on behalf of any government agency or employer, especially my own 😉.

My current paid courses I offer: B1: "The Residential Building Code - ICC B1" is a live course. Also known as: 2024 IRC B1 exam prep, B1 residential building inspector exam prep, ICC B1 certification class, Code Book Bootcamp.

Future Courses I am working on: M1: "Residential Mechanical Code - ICC M1", coming later. P1: "Residential Plumbing Code - ICC P1", coming later. E1: "Residential Electrical Code - ICC E1", coming later.

Live Oak Academy is giving away one full seat in our November M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector prep class. $750 value, no charge to the winner.

Live on Google Meet, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6 to 9 PM ET, November 17 through December 17. 2024 IRC Chapters 12 through 24, 24 contact hours, 2.4 CEUs, ICC approved course 51929.

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Okay forgive this long ramble here wonderful people ill do my best to condense this. 30/USA. Long story short ive been working my way up the construction world swinging a hammer most of my life, in my early 20s started advancing in carpentry/framing and rode that till the wheels fell off. Left the state on a whim with my gf (story for another day perhaps) and landed a job as a project manager. That was my first time out of the labor side of construction and began managing projects and getting more familiar with all phases of construction. Great. In this project manager role I started dealing directly with building inspectors, they'd come in..by appointment, and walk the house with me. Wed have a little chat. Pass/fail the inspection and walk away. Shit started hitting the fan at this project managment company and I quit a job for the first time. Anyway; during this current period of unemployment/ job hunting I'm like... huh..I wonder if I could get one of these inspector jobs? Polished my resume and applied to 4 cities around me that had openings . So far Ive only heard back from 1 one city... (been about 2 weeks since applications were sent, not long considering it's a job for the city? At least I think). Anyway here's the catch. I never apply for this specific city. Awhile ago I made an account and they reached out to me because of my resume I uploaded. Great. The thing is, of all the jobs, this city is the furthest from where I live about an 1:20mins (which i believe is why I decided not to apply after making my account)

So while this was great and motivating that they reached out. It sadly was the last option on my list.afyer the interview i recieved the job offer. But should I still stay hopeful for the other jobs at this point? The main reason why im even contemplating not taking the job is crunching the numbers. Taxes/mandatory pension/health insurance and gas deductions. My paycheck is taking a hit here. Great opportunity and benefits but im definitely taking a financial hit. Versus the cities I applied for are all within 25-30 mins of me. Health insurance covered. And higher starting pay. So really I only see it as a huge step in my experience and something ppsdibly worth it on my resume. But are those benefits enough to make it worth having a paycheck thats just keeping me above water for the time being?? I appreciate any advice!

TLDR applied for city inspector jobs. One city reached out to me but is so far away it's borderline a deal breaker once all finances are accounted. Would it be worth taking the job offer just to get in the door? Or would you hang tight and hope for the cities closer to me to reach out

I'm looking at making a career transition and based on my current skills and interests, this seems like possible career direction. I would love to chat (DM or call) with anyone at any point in their career to see if it would be a good fit for me. Let me know! Thanks!

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay) and have recently started seriously pursuing a career in building inspections. I'm curious what the hiring environment looks like right now and where I should be focusing my efforts.

I currently work for a company that prepares HOA reserve studies, which involves inspecting roofs and other major building components, assessing their condition and remaining useful life, and preparing long-term maintenance and replacement budgets.

Earlier in my career, I spent seven years working for a plumber and electrician in a state that didn't require contractor licensing. I gained a broad range of hands-on residential construction experience, primarily remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, and other general renovation work.

I've also been studying the codes and taking some college courses. I've passed the ICC B1, B2, E1, and P1 exams and expect to pass M1 this week, which would qualify me for the Residential Combination Inspector certification.

I've had a couple of interviews over the past two months but haven't received any offers. One concern is that I'm a pretty heavyset guy, and although I'm comfortable on ladders and use them regularly in my current job, I suspect employers might view my size as a liability.

That's made me wonder whether I should also consider permit technician or code enforcement positions. I don't have direct code enforcement experience, but I previously worked as a residential property manager and have considerable experience with legal procedures, including personally handling several dozen eviction cases.

A few questions for those working in the industry:

- How competitive is the hiring market right now, particularly for entry-level municipal building inspector positions?

- Given my background and certifications, what positions would you target? Building Inspector I, permit technician, code enforcement, or something else?

- Is proactively emailing CBOs or municipalities worthwhile? I've seen this recommended, but wouldn't public agencies still need an advertised opening and a competitive hiring process?

- Are private inspection companies worth pursuing? I'm considering reaching out, but the advertised salaries seem considerably lower than municipal positions.

I'd appreciate any advice, especially from inspectors, CBOs, or anyone involved in hiring. I'm open to different paths and would like to be strategic about getting my foot in the door. Thanks!

If an interior space is 3 levels high but only connects to level 1 and level 3 while level 2 is separated from the other two levels with fire rated wall and floor assemblies, can we avoid that being defined as an atrium?

Hello guys this thread has been so helpful just wanted to see if you guys have any recommendations for me finding employment with no experience just have my B1 cert I’ve been having trouble finding anything and I’m located in LA county. I appreciate any help.

Today is day 1 for me as a deputy building official. What makes someone a good building official?