When you’re ready to remodel your home, the excitement of seeing progress can make every delay feel frustrating. One of the biggest and most overlooked sources of delays comes from building inspections. Between scheduling, approvals, and corrections, these required steps can impact your project timeline in ways homeowners don’t always expect.
At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, we’ve managed hundreds of remodeling projects across Michigan, working closely with local building departments and inspectors. We understand how inspections fit into the construction process, and how to keep your project moving smoothly even when they add time to the schedule.
In this article, we’ll explain how inspections affect your remodeling timeline, what types of projects require them, and what you can do to prepare, so you can approach your remodel with confidence, patience, and realistic expectations.
- Inspections Add Time to Your Schedule
- Different Projects Require Different Inspections
- Work Pauses Until Approval
- Seasonal Timing and Delays
- What Happens If an Inspection Fails
1. Inspections Add Time to Your Schedule
Each inspection is another appointment that needs to fit into your project’s calendar. Depending on your township and the type of inspection required, it might take anywhere from a day to a few weeks to get on the inspector’s schedule.
In some areas, a single inspector covers an entire township, meaning projects get reviewed in the order they’re ready.
You’ll need to wait for approval before moving forward with the next phase of work. Proceeding without it can lead to expensive tear-outs or delays later if corrections are required.
2. Different Projects Require Different Inspections
Every remodeling project has its own set of checkpoints.
- Decks: Footing and final inspections are common. If the deck includes electrical or plumbing, extra checks are needed.
- Basements: Typically require rough and final inspections, especially when adding bathrooms or living spaces.
- Additions: Often need many inspections, including footing, framing, mechanical, rough, and final.
- Interior Remodels: Projects like kitchens may not need framing inspections unless walls are removed or moved.
Your contractor should pull the right permits and schedule each inspection at the right time to keep your project on track.
3. Work Pauses Until Approval
When your project reaches an inspection stage, work usually pauses until approval is received. This prevents having to redo work later.
For example, if a deck’s footings are poured before inspection, an inspector may require those footings to be exposed again, costing time and money. The same goes for drywall covering electrical or mechanical work that hasn’t yet passed inspection.
While this pause can be frustrating, it’s a necessary step to make sure your remodel meets all safety and code requirements.
4. Seasonal Timing and Delays
Building departments experience seasonal slowdowns and surges throughout the year. In Michigan, warmer months are especially busy for construction, meaning inspection wait times can stretch longer than expected.
During winter, inspectors may have lighter workloads, but weather-related delays can still slow progress on outdoor projects.
Custom Built Tip:
If you’re planning a major remodel, start your design and permitting process during late fall or winter. You’ll get a head start on scheduling and may be able to move faster once construction season begins.
5. What Happens If an Inspection Fails
Even experienced contractors occasionally run into inspection corrections. When that happens, inspectors note what needs to be fixed, and the contractor makes those changes before scheduling another appointment.
Common reasons for failed inspections include missing fasteners, improper venting, or spacing errors. While most issues are minor and quickly resolved, larger corrections can delay progress by several days or weeks, depending on the inspector’s availability.
Custom Built Tip:
Work with a contractor who’s proactive about communication. We always double-check our work before inspection to avoid repeat visits and wasted time.
Common Misconceptions About Inspections
Many homeowners misunderstand the purpose of inspections. Here are a few truths to keep in mind:
- Inspections ensure safety, not perfection. Inspectors check for code compliance. This means the minimum standard, not craftsmanship.
- Inspectors aren’t “out to fail you.” Their goal is to protect homeowners and ensure all work is safe and compliant.
- Skipping inspections is never worth it. Doing so can lead to fines, tear-outs, or delays in getting your final certificate of occupancy.
At Custom Built, we view inspectors as partners in your project. Working with them, not against them, helps ensure a smoother experience and a safer finished space.
Why Codes Can Vary by Township
While all Michigan builders follow the same state codebook, local interpretations and enforcement can differ. One township might allow photo verification for deck footings, while another requires in-person inspection. These differences can affect both timing and workflow.
Building inspectors regularly attend conferences to stay updated on new materials and techniques, meaning enforcement may change even within the same township over time.
Next Steps to Remodeling Your Home
Inspections are a vital part of any home remodeling project, ensuring your space is safe, code-compliant, and built to last.
You’ve learned how inspection schedules, local regulations, and communication gaps can influence your project’s timeline, and how proper planning can minimize delays.
At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, our team works directly with inspectors and local building departments to keep your project on track from start to finish.
Ready to start planning your remodel with an experienced team that handles every step? Contact Custom Built to schedule your consultation today.
Now that you know more about how inspections affect your home remodeling project timeline, let’s take a look at whether a design-build firm like Custom Built is right for you, how we will approach your project, and other ways to vet your remodeling partner options:
- Top 4 Differences Between a Design-Build Firm and a General Contractor - A comparison between design-build firms and general contractors that highlights the pros and cons that each brings to the table.
- Dream, Design, and Build: Our Remodeling Process - This guide details how we at Custom Built will approach your remodeling project, including who you will work with and when to expect each crucial step of your renovation to occur.
- Top 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor - A list of essential questions to ask your prospective remodeling contractor before hiring them for your project; additional questions are included in each section.
