Assignment directions Interview a local building inspector and write up a summary of your conversation.

Assignment guidelines
Locate a building inspector in your area, preferably in your town or city. A good place to start is with your local city website; you may have to call the building permit department to learn this person’s name. When you do, arrange for an in-person or over-the-phone interview at a time that is convenient for both of you. Prepare for the interview by coming up with a list of questions. These may or may not include the following:

Does the inspection department follow the model codes of the ICC or some other organization?
What is the most common code violation you see in new home construction?
What is the most common code violation you see in home remodel projects?
What is the most common code violation you see in commercial construction?
What happens when someone doesn’t pull a permit for work that requires one?
What types of accidents have you witnessed that are attributable to building code violations?
Do you think your town’s building codes are too strict or too lax?
Try to have enough questions for a 20-minute conversation, and take notes as the inspector answers. Submit a two-page summary of your conversation that lists key points the two of you discussed. Your final paragraph should include your reflections on what you learned and/or things that surprised you. Don’t forget to mention the individual’s name, your city, and the date the conversation took place at the beginning of your report.

Submission requirements
Your final report should be at least two typewritten pages, double-spaced, but it can be longer. Use complete sentences and correct grammar and punctuation. Include your interviewee’s name, job title, and contact information.