I get what you mean about the awkwardness—trying to point your phone at every nook and cranny just isn’t the same as someone actually being there. But I keep wondering, is there any real cost savings with virtual inspections? Like, does the city charge less, or is it just supposed to be more convenient? If it’s the same price and you might miss stuff, I’m not sure where the benefit is. Has anyone actually saved money or time going virtual, or is it just a hassle either way?
I’ve actually tried both, and honestly, I didn’t notice any cost savings—the city fee was identical. Where I did save was on time. No waiting around for a 4-hour window, no scrambling to clean up before someone shows up. But yeah, it’s awkward trying to show every angle over video, especially in tight spaces. I guess if you’re comfortable with tech and your setup is straightforward, it’s convenient. If your project’s complicated or you’re worried they’ll miss something, in-person might be less stressful.
But yeah, it’s awkward trying to show every angle over video, especially in tight spaces.
That’s what I’m worried about—how do you even get your phone behind a water heater or under a crawlspace? Did the inspector ever ask for a shot you just couldn’t get? Also, if they miss something on video and catch it later, can that come back to bite you, like with permits or resale? Just seems like there’s more room for stuff to slip through the cracks (literally and figuratively).
I’ve run into that exact problem—trying to wedge my phone behind the furnace was a joke. Ended up taping it to a broom handle just to get a shot. The inspector was patient, but there were spots I just couldn’t show. As for missing stuff, I’ve heard if something’s not visible and they don’t catch it, it can cause headaches later, especially if you sell and the next inspector finds it. Permits might get flagged too. It’s definitely not foolproof... sometimes I wonder if in-person is just less stressful in the long run.
“Ended up taping it to a broom handle just to get a shot. The inspector was patient, but there were spots I just couldn’t show.”
That’s exactly my worry with virtual inspections—there are always those tight corners you just can’t reach, no matter how many broom handles or selfie sticks you try. Have you ever had an inspector actually fail you for not being able to show something, or do they usually give you the benefit of the doubt? I keep thinking about resale too... if something gets missed now, are you on the hook later if it turns up in a future inspection?