Getting the city to check your pipes: in-person or virtual inspection?

I’ve done both, and honestly, the virtual one was way less hassle for me. Didn’t have to take a whole day off work just to wait around. The inspector did ask me to zoom in on a couple spots, but as long as your phone’s charged and you’ve got decent signal, it’s not too bad. I get what you mean about camera angles though - one time I had to crawl under the sink with my phone and nearly dropped it in the trap.

Did your city give you a checklist of what they want to see on video? That helped me not miss anything, but I’m curious if every city does that or if mine was just being extra thorough.

I’ve only done one virtual inspection so far, and yeah, the city emailed me a checklist ahead of time. It was pretty detailed - like, they wanted to see every shutoff valve and even the slope on the drain lines. I figured that was standard, but now I’m wondering if it’s just my city being picky. Did your checklist have weirdly specific stuff too, or was it more general? I almost missed showing the vent stack because it wasn’t on the list, but the inspector still asked for it. Guess it pays to be over-prepared...

I almost missed showing the vent stack because it wasn’t on the list, but the inspector still asked for it. Guess it pays to be over-prepared...

- My checklist was all over the place - some stuff super specific (like, “show the T&P valve discharge termination”), other things just “verify drain lines.” No mention of vent stacks either, but yeah, inspector wanted to see it anyway.
- I get why they’re picky, but honestly, half the time it feels like a moving target. I’ve had in-person inspections where they barely glanced at half this stuff.
- Virtual seems more strict, maybe because they can’t poke around themselves? Or maybe it’s just my city being extra cautious after a few bad jobs slipped through.
- I always prep for more than what’s listed. Costs nothing but a little extra time, and if you miss something, you risk a re-inspection fee (which is just... ugh).
- If you’re on a budget like me, double-check with the inspector before your appointment. Quick email or call can save you from surprises and extra costs.

Not sure if it’s standard everywhere, but I’d rather be too thorough than pay twice.

That’s a good point about the re-inspection fees - those can add up fast if you’re not careful. I’ve only done the virtual inspection once, and honestly, it was more nerve-wracking than I expected. The inspector kept asking me to zoom in or move the camera, and I was worried I’d miss something important. Ended up having to reschedule because my WiFi cut out halfway through, which was frustrating (and yes, they charged for the second visit).

In-person felt less stressful for me, even though it meant waiting around. The inspector just did their thing and pointed out a couple of minor issues on the spot. No tech hiccups, no worrying about camera angles. I get why virtual is appealing - less disruption to your day - but if you’re not super confident with video calls or your internet is spotty, it might not be worth the risk.

If you do go virtual, maybe make a dry run with your phone or tablet first? That helped me catch a few awkward spots before the actual inspection. Just my two cents - sometimes old-school is easier on the nerves (and wallet).

The inspector kept asking me to zoom in or move the camera, and I was worried I’d miss something important. Ended up having to reschedule because my WiFi cut out halfway through, which was frustrating (and yes, they charged for the second visit).

That’s exactly what bugs me about the virtual option. It sounds convenient until you’re juggling a phone, trying not to drop it into a crawlspace, while the inspector’s barking out directions you can barely hear. Plus, if your internet hiccups even once, you’re basically paying double for the same job. Not sure how that’s fair.

Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical about how thorough these virtual inspections can be anyway. There’s stuff you just can’t see on a screen - bad angles, poor lighting, whatever. In-person at least you know they’re seeing everything firsthand.

Has anyone actually had a virtual inspection catch something major? Or is it mostly just for checking boxes? I get that it saves time, but if you end up missing something and have to pay for another visit... kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?

Couldn’t agree more about the risk of missing something important. I tried a virtual inspection for a minor plumbing permit, thinking it’d save time and money, but honestly, it was more hassle than it was worth. The inspector kept asking me to crawl under the sink with my phone, and the video kept freezing. Ended up having to pay for a second appointment too. For anything beyond the basics, I’d rather just have someone come out in person - at least then I know they’re actually seeing what needs to be seen. Virtual might work for simple stuff, but for bigger jobs, I’m not convinced it’s thorough enough.

Yeah, I hear you - virtual inspections sound great in theory, but the tech just isn’t always reliable. Plus, crawling around with your phone is awkward. Has anyone actually had a virtual inspection go smoothly for something more complicated, like electrical or HVAC? I’m just not sure how they’d catch everything that way.

I’ve seen virtual inspections work for basic plumbing, but once you get into complex wiring or HVAC, it gets dicey. The inspector can’t really see behind panels or inside junction boxes over a video call. Has anyone tried using those 360-degree cameras or special apps to make it easier? I wonder if that actually helps catch the details, or if it just adds another layer of tech to troubleshoot...

A 360-degree camera may help show the overall layout, but clear close-ups and a reliable connection still matter. Ask the inspection office which views and access they require before choosing the equipment, and do a lighting and video test from the areas you can safely reach.

Don't open electrical panels or junction boxes simply to prepare for the call. If internal electrical access is required, arrange a competent person to isolate and verify the equipment safely and expose what the inspector needs to see. If the required view can't be provided safely on video, ask about an in-person inspection.

I hear you on the camera tricks - prepping ahead definitely helps. Still, I’ve seen virtual inspections miss stuff, especially with pipes tucked behind awkward corners or insulation. Sometimes you just can’t beat a set of eyes right there in the crawlspace, you know? But if it saves a trip and the inspector’s sharp, it’s not a bad compromise... as long as nobody’s hiding a leaky elbow joint behind the drywall.

Sometimes you just can’t beat a set of eyes right there in the crawlspace, you know?

Totally get that - there’s something about physically tracing a line or feeling for moisture that cameras just can’t replace. I’ve seen inspectors on video miss a compression fitting tucked behind some insulation because the angle was off. Still, when we did a virtual inspection last month, we prepped by removing some drywall and using a flashlight with a mirror to show the tough spots. Anyone tried using those scope cameras for tight bends? Curious if that covers more ground or just adds another gadget to juggle...

I’ve used those scope cams a few times - honestly, they’re handy for spotting leaks in weird spots, but the image quality can be hit or miss. Ever had one fog up on you mid-inspection? Wondering if anyone’s found a brand that actually holds up in damp crawlspaces...

Ever had one fog up on you mid-inspection?

Oh man, the fogging is real. Nothing like crawling under a house, finally getting the camera into that impossible spot, and then - bam - your screen looks like a steamy bathroom mirror. I’ve tried a couple brands, but honestly, even the “waterproof” ones seem to get condensation if it’s humid enough. I started keeping a little packet of silica gel in the case, which helps a bit, but it’s not foolproof.

As for image quality, I hear you. Some of those cheaper cams make it look like you’re inspecting your pipes through a potato. I splurged on a Ridgid once (wallet still recovering), and it’s held up better in damp crawlspaces than the Amazon specials, but even that one isn’t perfect.

I’d still rather deal with a foggy cam than try to convince the city inspector over Zoom that my pipes aren’t leaking. Virtual inspections are fine for paperwork, but when it comes to actual leaks, nothing beats someone getting their hands dirty.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a couple virtual inspections go smoother than expected. Maybe I just lucked out with inspectors who were tech-savvy, but it saved me a ton of time not having to schedule around their visits.

Virtual inspections are fine for paperwork, but when it comes to actual leaks, nothing beats someone getting their hands dirty.

I hear that, but sometimes the hassle of coordinating everyone’s schedules just isn’t worth it for minor stuff. For bigger issues, yeah, in-person is better, but for the routine checks, I’ll take a Zoom call and a cup of coffee any day.

I get what you mean about the convenience. I’ve had a couple of those virtual inspections too, and honestly, for the quick stuff - like just checking if the right fittings are in place or making sure the paperwork matches up - they’re a breeze. The inspector I had last time was actually pretty chill about it, just asked me to walk around with my phone camera and point at a few things. Saved me a trip back to the job site, which I’m not gonna complain about.

But man, when you said:

Virtual inspections are fine for paperwork, but when it comes to actual leaks, nothing beats someone getting their hands dirty.

That hit home. Had this one job where everything looked fine on camera, but there was this tiny drip under a vanity that you couldn’t see unless you crawled halfway under it. Inspector missed it on Zoom, and I only caught it later when I was double-checking stuff. If that had been an in-person check, probably would’ve saved me some hassle.

I guess it comes down to what you’re dealing with. For rough-ins and basic compliance stuff, virtual is honestly not bad. But if there’s any chance something’s hidden or weird, I’d rather have someone actually there poking around. Plus, some of the older inspectors aren’t exactly wizards with FaceTime... had one guy who kept pointing the camera at his own face the whole time. Not super helpful.

Still, I’m with you - if it’s just routine, I’ll take the easy route and do it from my kitchen table. But for anything even a little sketchy, I’d rather have boots on the ground. Just feels safer, you know?

Yeah, I’ve run into the same thing - virtual’s fine for the easy stuff, but there’s just no way a camera catches everything. Had an inspector miss a pinhole leak behind a water heater once because the angle was off. Ended up costing more time in the long run. Also, not every inspector is tech-savvy... had one who kept muting himself and we got nowhere. I get why they’re doing it, but for anything more than basic checks, I’d rather have someone on site, getting their hands dirty. Just feels more thorough.

Totally agree - virtual’s just not the same for anything that actually matters. I had a city inspector do a virtual walkthrough once, and he missed a slow drip under the kitchen sink because the tenant’s phone camera couldn’t get the right angle. Ended up with water damage I had to fix later. Do these virtual inspections even save time if you have to redo them? I’d rather deal with scheduling headaches than risk missing something expensive.

I’d rather deal with scheduling headaches than risk missing something expensive.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a couple virtual inspections go smoother than in-person ones. Sometimes it’s just faster to hop on a call than wait a week for someone to show up. That said, yeah, camera angles can be a pain - depends a lot on who’s holding the phone and how tech-savvy they are. I guess it’s a trade-off: convenience vs. thoroughness.

I hear you on the convenience, but man, last time I tried a virtual inspection, my phone died halfway through and the inspector couldn’t see the shutoff valve anyway. Ended up rescheduling for in-person. Sometimes old-school just works better, especially if your WiFi’s as spotty as mine...