A building inspector on a large project we completed was complimenting the way our team worked. He mentioned how we strive to get all the info a tradesperson really needs on the drawings and how we make quick decisions to resolve potential problems. He especially liked how pleasant we were with him in resolving difficult issues.

Then he told a story about another project. A commercial building was being built without a building permit. When the Authority Having Jurisdiction found out, they assigned this Building Inspector to go an ascertain the status. He requested they dig up the foundation at one location so he could evaluate the footing and that he look above the finished ceiling at one location.

The Building Owner fussed and cussed. The Building Inspector simply walked away, thinking, “Let the Township handle this.” It took a few weeks, but the Building Owner called the Building Inspector, just as nice as cherry pie, and asked, “Which spot do you want the footing exposed and to look above the ceiling?”

The Building Inspector replied, “I want every single inch of the footings exposed and the entire ceiling taken down.” And that’s the way it went.

Moral? Consider consequences…and learn to keep your pie hole shut.