Question 1

What is the difference between deputy inspections and home inspections?

Accepted Answer

Deputy Inspections vs. Home Inspections

What’s the difference, and who needs them?

At Troupe Inspections, we provide both Deputy (Special) Inspections and Home Inspections, but they serve very different purposes. Here’s a simple breakdown so you know exactly what you’re getting.

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Deputy Inspections (Special Inspections)
Deputy Inspections are code-required inspections that take place during construction. These are not optional on many projects.
    •    Who hires us: The property owner, contractor, or builder, as required by the local building department.
    •    Why they’re needed: Building codes require certain critical structural components to be inspected by a qualified third-party inspector to verify they are installed according to the approved plans and applicable codes.
    •    Common examples:
    •    Foundations and anchor bolts
    •    Structural concrete
    •    Reinforcing steel (rebar)
    •    Structural welding and steel
    •    Masonry (CMU)
    •    Post-tension systems
    •    Who we report to: The building department and the engineer of record.

Bottom line: Deputy inspections are mandatory code inspections that help ensure the structure is built safely and correctly.

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Home Inspections
A Home Inspection is a general, non-code inspection of a property’s condition, most commonly done during a real estate transaction.
    •    Who hires us: Usually the homebuyer, but sometimes the seller or homeowner.
    •    Why they’re needed: To give you a clear, unbiased picture of the home’s condition so you can make confident decisions about buying, selling, or maintaining the property.
    •    What we look at:
    •    Roof and structure
    •    Electrical system
    •    Plumbing
    •    Heating and cooling (HVAC)
    •    Interior and exterior components
    •    Attic, crawlspace, and more

Bottom line: A home inspection helps you understand the condition of the property before you buy or as you maintain it.

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Quick Comparison
    •    Deputy Inspection: Code-required, during construction, hired by builder/owner, reported to the building department.
    •    Home Inspection: General condition evaluation, usually for real estate transactions, hired by buyers or homeowners.

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If you’re not sure which service you need, Troupe Inspections is happy to help you figure it out. Just reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Question 2

What do you look for during a rebar/footing inspection?

Accepted Answer

I will check the approved plans and make sure what is built matches the plans.  This includes the size and depth of the footing, grade, size, spacing and clearances of all rebar and anchor bolts if required.  3" clearance from rebar to dirt is the most common clearance requirement for footings and is also the most common deficiency.

Question 3

When do I need concrete inspected?

Accepted Answer

According to the California Building Code, a deputy inspector must be present to observe concrete placement and take samples per ACI specifications whenever the design strength of the concrete exceeds 2,500 PSI.

Question 4

How do you inspect epoxy anchors (DIA)?

Accepted Answer

For projects requiring a deputy inspection, the process for installing and verifying epoxy (chemical) anchors follows a strict, code-approved workflow:Hole & Hardware Verification: The inspector verifies that the drilled holes meet the required embedment depth and diameter (typically 1/8" larger than the hardware). They also verify the size and grade of the rebar or all-thread rod.Hole Cleaning: The inspector confirms that the holes are properly blown and brushed clean. This is a critical step, as lingering dust prevents the epoxy from bonding correctly.Product & Expiration Check: The inspector verifies the type of epoxy being used and ensures it has not expired.Installation Observation: The inspector observes the epoxy injection to ensure proper mixing, complete hole coverage, and that the anchor remains completely undisturbed during the required cure time.Once complete, the deputy inspector issues a compliance report for you to provide to the City Inspector and Engineer of Record.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between deputy inspections and home inspections?

What do you look for during a rebar/footing inspection?

When do I need concrete inspected?

How do you inspect epoxy anchors (DIA)?