Is it possible that the building dept in SO has no ladder?

I scheduled an building final inspection for a new central air system that was recently installed. The condenser is up in my attic, but it's a crawl space attic. The only access is through a closet, no stairs. I called the inspector to let them know to bring a ladder and I was told the department doesn't have a ladder??? Really? Could that be possible? Did anyone ever run into this issue? I now have to try and find a ladder for them to use.

I kind of had the same reaction when I realized that cleaning crews don't have any equipment or cleansers.

It does seem very weird. At the very least, you would expect each individual inspector to have a ladder and other basic tools and equipment, but I guess you'd be wrong.

I had a Comcast guy come once with no tools...I lent him tools. I got them back. I got supervisor back two days later. I am no longer a Comcast customer.

In all fairness, an owner that has equipment installed that they can't even get to could be a red flag. I can easily imagine access to equipment being part of an inspection.

I find it more strange that you don't have one. Cant even change light bulbs in my house without a ladder.

Gotta go with judy3x on this. Using the homeowner's ladder would require that he inspect each and every ladder that he "borrows" - or doesn't inspect it and potentially opens the homeowner to liability. An inspector supplies his own inspection tools.

qrysdonnell said:
In all fairness, an owner that has equipment installed that they can't even get to could be a red flag. I can easily imagine access to equipment being part of an inspection.

This makes sense as well.

it makes sense to me to provide access to whatever the inspector has to inspect. I don't think that's out of line

I think the contractor should be responsible for making the work accessible. The inspector should not need a pile of ladders just in case.

House inspectors carry around a reasonable set of tools, ladders, etc. Town inspectors expect to be given access to the work. Whether or not it makes sense, don't do anything to irritate or inconvenience a town inspector. They can make you regret it.

The last time I had a town inspector out, he was driving around in a retired police car -- no way to strap a ladder to the roof, although I guess they could keep a small foldable ladder in the trunk.

A couple years ago after bathroom remodels, don't think any of the inspectors that came were town employees, think they freelance. Some came in pickups, other sedans. One man was disabled, for him getting into the crawlspace to check (not sure if it was plumbing or electric) was painful for me to watch.

Well, freelance inspectors hired by the town are town employees.

Bee said:
Well, freelance inspectors hired by the town are town employees.

Techincally, no. They are agents of the town, working on its behalf but they are not employees.

So they came yesterday and one of the inspectors told me that they don't bring ladders because they don't want the liability of carrying it through the house where it might bump a wall and cause damage. Anyway they didn't need to access the attic so alls well that ends well.

judy3x said:
So they came yesterday and one of the inspectors told me that they don't bring ladders because they don't want the liability of carrying it through the house where it might bump a wall and cause damage. Anyway they didn't need to access the attic so alls well that ends well.

Well, (a) that makes perfect sense and (b) YAY!