New build being delayed due to city inspectors, is this legit?

Question

Looking for some opinions/thoughts on a current situation. I have some close friends that purchased a new build town home in Atlanta, GA. The initial communicated timeline had them moving in two weeks ago (Sep. 13th). The timeline has since changed twice, the first delay came back in the spring when they were told the move in would be delayed one month due to weather/rain (which was probably fair as we did get a lot of rain). This past week they received another update saying the completion date is being pushed back again into November because they are waiting on the city inspector. It's been almost a month and appears no work has been done to the town home. To note, there are a bunch of townhomes in the same area being built so my theory is they are trying to get all townhomes to the same point before they request the inspector.

Is it typical for an inspector to take a month to come out?

One suggestion I had for them was to start negotiating upgrades to compensate for the delay (colored paint, ceiling fans, light fixtures, etc..). Any thoughts on this?

Would love the perspective/feedback from people that have been through situations like this before. I'm sure it's fairly common.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Brett

Is it typical for an inspector to take a month to come out?

One suggestion I had for them was to start negotiating upgrades to compensate for the delay (colored paint, ceiling fans, light fixtures, etc..).  Any thoughts on this?

Would love the perspective/feedback from people that have been through situations like this before.  I'm sure it's fairly common.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Brett

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Brett Beaman I have no idea if they’d get info, that probably varies by city and area.  If I call my city and ask they would tell me

Brent Paul · Answer

We had this with the garage my dad built.  My dad made a few comments to the inspector.  Somehow through conversation He was even given their phone numbers.  All inspections were completed within a week.  Granted this is a smaller 20k people town.  My dad even made the guy lunch as a thank you.  No issues after that.

Brett Beaman · Answer

Thanks all.  @Caleb Heimsoth, I thought about telling them to call the city but wasnt sure you'd actually be able to get any info.  I'll suggest they call the city tomorrow, I guess that would allow them to be a little more educated on the status when talking to the builders.

Tim Johnson · Answer

I actually had this happen once.  It was a smaller town and the city inspector would only go to the area when he would spend half a day doing inspections, took almost a month to get the final inspection and another month to get the COO permit. royal pain

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Brett Beaman

There is no reason the delay is with the inspection schedule.  Most inspection departments require a minimum of 24 hours, at the very worst within a week.  Typically a final requires final engineering; this may take an as-built survey of the grading and approval.  You may need final seed or sod of the lot.  If sprinklered will need fire department approval.  If you are in an area where old or new trees are installed a final landscape inspection requires to be made.  I agree with @David Hussey a final arborist may be required.  The water department may need to sign off as well.  May need a door blower test for energy code compliance. There are communities that require all of these previous inspections approved before the final building inspection can take place.

I have been a building inspector/consultant for many years and have received many calls from future homeowners asking why were holding up there project.  Most of the time it’s on the builders side, but there are times where the city is the hold up.  I agree with @Caleb Heimsoth call the city for confirmation.

David Hussey · Answer

Hey Brett, It sounds to me their was a delay in production. Assuming the project has past its rough inspections a project that’s 100% done should be ready start inspections this week and worse case end the following. The city of Atlanta requires final site inspection, final arborist inspection and lastly the CO inspection for the builder to close with the client.

I’m sure your friends have visited the site, does the house look finished or is it pre drywall at the moment?

I’m a PM for a construction company and In our world their can be a handful of honest reasons that delay a project. Building a home is a rolling schedule and it’s very difficult to give a concrete day of competition. I provide my clients an 8 week window of buffer.

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Brett Beaman. Have you called the city building department and just asked them ?

Theresa Harris · Answer

Inspectors can take a while to come out.  The place may be completely finished and they are waiting for the final inspection.  They need an occupancy certificate before people can move in and that may be what they are waiting for.  Does the contract state anything about significant delays in move in?