Author: Advanced Home Inspections

Thinking about skipping that final inspection on your recent home project?

You’re not alone. Maybe you’re tired of the whole process, eager to enjoy your renovated space, or just looking to save some time and money. I get it.

But before you decide to skip this last step, you need to know what you’re potentially getting into.

In this post, I’ll give you a quick rundown of what happens if you don’t get a final inspection.

#1 Open Permit Status

First up, we’ve got the issue of an open permit. 

If you don’t get that final inspection, your building permit stays open. This might not sound like a big deal at first, but it can cause real problems down the line.

Most local governments need all old permits to be closed before they issue new ones. 

So, if you want to do more renovations or improvements, you will have to deal with the final inspection from your last project first.

Also Read: Will a federal pacific panel pass inspection?

#2 Legal And Financial Penalties

Skipping a final inspection isn’t just about paperwork – it can hit you in the wallet too. 

Depending on where you live, you could be looking at some serious fines and penalties.

For big companies, these fines can go up to $500,000 for a first offense. Even for regular homeowners, while it might not be that high, it’s still enough to cause some real financial stress.

And here’s the thing – these fines often increase over time. 

So the longer you wait to address the issue, the more expensive it becomes.

#3 Insurance Issues

We all know how important home insurance is. It’s your safety net if something goes wrong. But did you know that skipping your final inspection could put that safety net at risk too?

Insurance companies aren’t fans of work that hasn’t been properly inspected. 

If they find out you’ve had work done without the necessary final inspections, they might refuse to cover you or deny claims related to the uninspected work.

Even if they don’t completely drop you, they might increase your premiums or add a bunch of exclusions to your policy.

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#4 Harder To Sell The Property

Planning to sell your place someday? Well, not having that final inspection could really complicate things. 

Potential buyers tend to get nervous about properties with open permits or missing inspections. It’s like a red flag that makes them wonder what other issues might be lurking. 

Plus, banks won’t even consider giving out mortgages for places without proper inspections. 

This could mean you end up with fewer potential buyers, or worse, you might have to lower your asking price significantly. 

It’s definitely not ideal when you’re trying to move on and sell your property.

#5 Potential For Cease Occupancy Orders

This one is pretty serious. 

In some cases, skipping that final inspection could actually result in you being told you can’t live in your own home. 

Authorities might issue what’s called a cease occupancy order, especially if they think the work done is unsafe or violates important regulations. 

Suddenly, you’re in a situation where you need to find another place to stay and rush to fix everything.

#6 Future Compliance Costs

Even if you manage to avoid all the immediate problems we’ve talked about, skipping that final inspection could still lead to extra costs in the future. 

Also Check Out Our Richmond inspections services

Maybe you decide to get that inspection done later on – perhaps because you’re trying to sell, or maybe the local authorities finally catch up with you. 

Either way, you’re looking at additional expenses. 

You might need to pay for new permits, or worse, you could be responsible for bringing everything up to the latest building codes. 

And those small issues that would’ve been easy to fix right after the work was done? 

Well, they might have turned into much bigger, more expensive problems by now. 

Wrapping Up

So there you have it – six pretty good reasons why skipping that final inspection is a bad idea. 

Sure, it might seem like a hassle now, but trust me, it’s nothing compared to the headaches you could face down the road. Do yourself a favor and get that inspection done. 

Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you for it.

FAQs

What Happens If You Move In Before Final Inspection?

If you move in before a final inspection, you may be violating local regulations. This might mean fines or even having to move out again. Plus, your insurance might not cover you if anything goes wrong.

Contractor Failed Inspection, Who Pays?

The contractor is responsible for paying for any work that fails inspection. This includes the cost of corrections and re-inspection fees. However, this should be clearly outlined in your contract.

But heads up – if the failure is because of changes you asked for that weren’t up to code, you might be the one reaching for your wallet.

What Is Required For A Final Building Inspection?

What you need for a final inspection can vary depending on where you live, but generally, it boils down to these main points:

• All the construction work needs to be finished
• Everything has to meet building codes
• You need to have all the required safety features installed
• Electrical and plumbing work needs to be checked and approved by qualified pros.

Got a Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panel in your home? Or maybe you’re thinking about buying a house that has one?

If so, you’re probably wondering how this might affect a home inspection.

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one asking these questions. A lot of homeowners and potential buyers are in the same boat, trying to figure out what to do about these FPE panels.

In this post, I’ll explain if a Federal Pacific Panel will pass inspection, and answer some FAQs. 

Will A Federal Pacific Electric Panel Pass Inspection?

A Federal Pacific panel won’t pass an inspection. These panels have a high failure rate and pose serious fire risks, which many inspectors and insurance companies consider unacceptable.

That said, home inspections don’t really work on a simple “pass” or “fail” system.

Home inspections are meant to give the buyer a detailed look at the condition of the home, including its systems and components.

The inspector’s job is to point out issues and give you some advice. 

Now, when it comes to FPE panels, most inspectors will raise a red flag. They’ll tell you it’s a big safety concern and strongly suggest you get it replaced because, well, these panels are known fire hazards.

Also Check Out Our Richmond inspection services

On the other hand, a home appraisal is for the mortgage company. It assesses the property’s value and checks if it meets safety and livability standards for a loan. 

Many mortgage companies have strict rules about electrical systems, and will refuse to approve a loan if the house has an FPE panel until it’s replaced. 

So in a way, this could make the house “fail” the appraisal process.

Why Are FPE Panels Considered A Safety Hazard?

Okay, so why all the fuss about Federal Pacific Electric panels? Well, in the world of electrical stuff and home inspections, these panels are seen as pretty dangerous. 

There are two main reasons for this:

Defective Breakers

The biggest problem with Federal Pacific panels is in their circuit breakers. 

These breakers have a bad reputation for not doing their job when they need to. 

Here’s what’s supposed to happen: when too much electricity flows through a circuit, the breaker should trip and cut off the power. This prevents overheating and potential fires. 

But FPE breakers? They have a high failure rate at this crucial task. 

This means there’s a much higher chance of electrical fires in homes with these panels.

Also Read: What happens if you don’t get a final inspection

Brittle Materials

Another issue with FPE panels is the quality of materials used in their construction. 

Over time, these materials can get brittle and start to break. As they degrade, it makes the panel even less safe and reliable. 

This just adds to the problems caused by those faulty breakers.

What Should You Do If You Have A Federal Pacific?

So, you’ve found out your home has a Federal Pacific Electric panel. What now? 

Your best bet is to call up a licensed electrician. They can take a look at your specific panel and give you expert advice on what to do next.

Most of the time, they’ll probably tell you to replace the whole FPE panel. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking – that sounds expensive, right? It can be. But think about it this way: weigh that cost against the risk of keeping an unsafe electrical panel in your home. 

There’s real value in knowing your electrical system is up to current safety standards. It’s hard to put a price on that kind of peace of mind.

Bottom Line

So, while an FPE panel might not technically “fail” a home inspection in the usual sense, it’s almost certain to be flagged as a major problem.

More importantly, it could prevent a mortgage from being approved during the appraisal process.

If you’re a homeowner and you’ve got an FPE panel, the safest thing to do is to start planning to replace it as soon as you can.

Better safe than sorry, right?

FAQs

Do All Federal Pacific Panels Need To Be Replaced?

Not every Federal Pacific panel will fail, but many have a higher chance of failing. Because of the safety risks, it’s a good idea to have an electrician check your panel. 

If your panel is found to be defective, you should replace it.

What Is The Failure Rate Of Federal Pacific Panels?

The failure rate of Federal Pacific electrical panels with Stab-Lok breakers is estimated to be around 33%, meaning that 1 out of 3 breakers in these panels is defective. 

This is due to a design flaw in the breakers, which can cause them to overheat and fail.

Are Federal Pacific Panels Illegal?

No, Federal Pacific panels are not illegal. However, many insurance companies and building codes now require them to be replaced due to the safety risks they pose.