Final Inspection: Pass on First Try and Get Your CO

The final inspection is the last hurdle before you get your Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and can legally move in.

This is where the inspector verifies everything is complete, safe, and functional. Pass on first try and you're moving in within days. Fail and you're looking at another week minimum of delays.

When to Schedule

Timing: After ALL work is 100% complete and house is ready for occupancy

⚠️Warning

Do not call for final inspection if anything on this list is incomplete. Inspectors will fail you immediately:

  • All previous inspections passed (foundation, framing, rough-in, insulation)
  • All finish work complete (drywall, paint, flooring, trim, doors)
  • All fixtures installed and functional (plumbing, electrical, lighting)
  • All mechanical systems operational (HVAC, water heater)
  • All safety items complete (smoke detectors, CO detectors, handrails, guards)
  • Permanent power connected
  • All utilities connected and functional
  • Site work substantially complete (grading, driveway, walkways)

"Substantially complete" is not good enough. Inspector wants 100% done.

Notice required: 48-72 hours typically (longer during busy spring/summer seasons)

💡Pro Tip

Failing final inspection is uniquely frustrating because you're so close to done.

Better to take an extra week making sure every detail is complete than to fail and delay your CO another 1-2 weeks.

I've seen owner-builders call final 3-4 times before passing. Each failure delays move-in and costs $1,000+ in holding costs per week.

Weather: Exterior items must be complete, so weather can delay final. Don't schedule final if forecasting heavy rain or snow that would prevent exterior work completion.

What the Inspector Checks

The final inspection is comprehensive. The inspector verifies:

  1. Previous inspection items are still correct (may spot-check)
  2. All finish work is complete
  3. All safety items are installed
  4. House is safe and ready for occupancy

Exterior Items

Siding and weather protection:

Roof:

Gutters and downspouts:

Grading and drainage:

Decks and porches (if applicable):

Site safety:

Interior Finish

Walls and ceilings:

Flooring:

Doors:

Trim and millwork:

Stairs:

Plumbing Fixtures

Bathrooms:

Kitchen:

Water heater:

Fixtures properly finished:

Electrical Fixtures

Service panel:

Receptacles and switches:

Lighting:

Appliance connections:

Exterior outlets and lights:

HVAC and Mechanical

Heating system:

Air conditioning (if applicable):

Ventilation:

Return air:

Life Safety Items (Critical!)

Smoke detectors (IRC R314):

Carbon monoxide detectors (IRC R315):

Handrails (IRC R311.7.8):

Guards/guardrails (IRC R312):

Tempered glass (IRC R308.4):

Egress windows (IRC R310):

Fire-rated assemblies:

Windows and Doors

Exterior doors:

Windows:

Garage door:

Final Details

Address numbers:

Stair identification (if more than 2 stories):

Attic access:

Crawlspace access:

Electrical panel access:

Water heater access:

Furnace/HVAC access:

Before the Inspector Arrives

One Week Before

48 Hours Before

Final Checklist (Morning of Inspection)

Safety items (most critical):

Functional items:

Finish items:

Access and clearances:

General:

During the Inspection

Inspector's Typical Route

Exterior first (typically):

  1. Overall building appearance
  2. Roof and flashing
  3. Siding and trim
  4. Grading and drainage
  5. Decks, porches, stairs
  6. Address numbers visible

Interior comprehensive:

  1. Each room: Finish work, floors, walls, ceilings, trim
  2. Electrical: Outlets, switches, lights, panel labeled
  3. Plumbing: Fixtures functional, no leaks
  4. HVAC: System operational, vents installed
  5. Life safety: Smoke/CO detectors (tests interconnection), handrails, guards
  6. Stairs: Handrails, guards, dimensions
  7. Garage: Separation door, auto-reverse on door
  8. Attic/crawl access: Accessible, proper size
  9. Mechanical equipment: Accessible, operational

Timeline: 1-3 hours depending on house size

Your role:

Be prepared to demonstrate:

Top 15 Final Inspection Failures

These are the most common reasons owner-builders fail final inspection. Every single one is avoidable.

⚠️Warning

More final inspections fail on smoke and CO detectors than any other single item.

Requirements:

  • Every bedroom needs a detector
  • Outside each sleeping area needs a detector
  • Every level of the home needs a detector
  • All must be hard-wired with battery backup
  • All must be interconnected (when one sounds, ALL sound)

Test before calling final: Push test button on one detector. If all detectors don't sound, you will fail.

Top 15 Final Inspection Failures
FailureCodeHow to FixRe-Inspect TimeCost
**1. Smoke/CO Detectors Not Interconnected**<br/>Missing detectors or not wired to sound togetherIRC R314<br/>IRC R315Install missing detectors, ensure all interconnected and tested1-3 days$200-$600
**2. Missing or Improper Handrails**<br/>No handrail on stairs or not code-compliantIRC R311.7.8Install code-compliant handrail (34-38" height, graspable)3-5 days$300-$1,200
**3. Guards Missing or Balusters Too Wide**<br/>No guard at elevated surface or spacing too wideIRC R312Install guards (36" min height, 4" sphere test)3-7 days$500-$2,500
**4. Garage Door Auto-Reverse Not Working**<br/>Door doesn't reverse when meeting obstructionUL 325Adjust opener sensitivity or replace opener1-3 days$100-$400
**5. Missing Electrical Cover Plates**<br/>Outlets or switches without cover platesNEC 406.5Install all missing cover plates1-2 days$50-$150
**6. Electrical Panel Not Labeled**<br/>Breakers not labeled indicating what they controlNEC 408.4Label all breakers properly with circuit directory1-2 days$50-$150
**7. Plumbing Leak**<br/>Active leak at fixture, supply line, or drainVariousRepair leak (common: under sinks, toilets, showers)1-3 days$100-$500
**8. HVAC Not Operational**<br/>Heating or cooling system not workingVariousComplete HVAC startup, charge refrigerant, verify operational2-5 days$200-$800
**9. Missing Tempered Glass**<br/>Regular glass in hazardous locationIRC R308.4Replace with tempered glass (near doors, tubs, walking surfaces)3-7 days$300-$1,500
**10. Grading Not Sloping Away**<br/>Ground slopes toward foundation or doesn't slope enoughIRC R401.3Regrade (6" drop in 10' away from foundation)3-7 days$800-$3,000
**11. Missing TPR Discharge Pipe**<br/>Water heater T&P relief valve discharge not properIRC P2804Install discharge pipe (6-24" above floor, no threads on end)1-2 days$100-$300
**12. Bathroom Ventilation Not Working**<br/>Exhaust fan not working or not vented to exteriorIRC R303.3Connect fan, verify venting to exterior (not attic)2-4 days$200-$600
**13. Missing Address Numbers**<br/>House number not posted or not visible from streetIRC R319.1Install address numbers (4" high min, visible, contrasting)1-2 days$50-$150
**14. Egress Window Not Operational**<br/>Required bedroom window won't open fullyIRC R310Make window operational (can't be painted shut)1-3 days$100-$500
**15. Work Not Complete**<br/>Finish work incomplete (trim, paint, flooring)VariousComplete all finish work and punch list items5-14 days$1,000-$5,000+
💡Pro Tip

Walk through and test every item on this list:

  • Push test button on ONE smoke detector - all detectors should sound
  • Test garage door auto-reverse with 2x4 under door
  • Turn on every light and fan
  • Flush every toilet, run every faucet, look for leaks
  • Test HVAC in both heating and cooling modes
  • Check all handrails are secure and proper height
  • Verify all electrical cover plates installed
  • Check breaker panel is fully labeled

These are the most common failures. Test them yourself before the inspector does.

If You Fail

ℹ️Important Information

Final inspection failures are extremely common, even for experienced builders.

Most failures are minor items that take 1-3 days to fix. Very few owner-builders pass final on the first attempt.

Get Written Details

Request from the inspector:

Ask questions immediately: If unclear about anything, ask for clarification while inspector is still there.

Prioritize Corrections

1

1. Safety Items First

Smoke/CO detectors, handrails, guards, garage door auto-reverse, tempered glass. These are non-negotiable and inspector will check first on re-inspection.
2

2. Functional Items Next

Plumbing leaks, HVAC operation, electrical issues. House must be fully functional to get CO.
3

3. Finish Items Last

Cover plates, panel labeling, trim details, minor completions. Easy fixes but don't skip them.

Common Fixes and Timeline

Common Final Inspection Fixes
IssueHow to FixTimelineCost
Smoke/CO detectorsInstall/interconnect all detectors, test1-3 days$200-$600
Missing handrailInstall code-compliant handrail3-5 days$300-$1,200
Cover platesInstall all missing plates1 day$50-$150
Panel labelingLabel all breakers in directory1 day$50-$150
Plumbing leakRepair leak, verify no drips1-3 days$100-$500
Garage auto-reverseAdjust opener sensitivity1-2 days$100-$400
Address numbersInstall visible numbers1 day$50-$150
Grading issuesRegrade around foundation3-7 days$800-$3,000

Re-Inspection Process

1

Complete ALL Corrections

Don't call for re-inspection until every item on the list is fixed. Partial fixes still fail.
2

Test Everything Yourself

Walk through and verify all corrections. Take photos of fixes for your records.
3

Call for Re-Inspection

Schedule 2-5 days out depending on jurisdiction. Mention you've completed all items from failure notice.
4

Be Present & Demonstrate

Walk inspector through corrections. Demonstrate smoke detectors interconnected, garage door auto-reverse working, etc.

Re-inspection timeline: Usually 2-5 days depending on jurisdiction workload and season.

Getting Your Certificate of Occupancy

When You Pass

Inspector will:

CO issuance:

What CO allows:

Keep your CO:

Temporary CO (TCO)

Some jurisdictions issue temporary CO if:

TCO typically:

Not all jurisdictions offer TCO. Ask beforehand.

Cost of Delay

Each week final inspection is delayed:

One month delay = $2,000-$4,000 in double housing costs

However: Don't rush. Better to delay and pass than fail repeatedly.

Final Inspection Ready Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist 1-2 weeks before calling final. Every item must be checked off.

⚠️Warning

The safety items checklist below contains the most common final inspection failures.

If ANY safety item is incomplete, you will fail. No exceptions. Test smoke detector interconnection before calling final.

Safety Items (Most Critical)

Functional Items

Completeness Checklist

Code & Access Items

Pro Tips for Passing Final

💡Pro Tip

Walk through with this guide 1-2 weeks before calling final.

Make a punch list of everything not complete. Work through it systematically. Don't call final until your own inspection finds zero issues.

Most owner-builders who pass on first try did a thorough self-inspection first.

💡Pro Tip

Don't trust that things work. Test every single item:

  • Every outlet with circuit tester
  • Every light switch and fixture
  • Every plumbing fixture (run water, check for leaks)
  • HVAC both heat and cool modes
  • Every smoke/CO detector (push button on ONE, verify ALL sound)
  • Garage door auto-reverse (2x4 under door)
  • Every door and window opens/closes/locks

Whatever the inspector will test, you test first.

💡Pro Tip

Before calling final, take photos and videos:

  • All smoke detectors sounding together
  • Garage door auto-reverse working
  • HVAC running in heat and cool
  • All lights on
  • Water running in all fixtures, no leaks
  • Address numbers visible from street

If inspector questions anything weeks later, you have timestamped proof it was working at final.

Bring the Inspector Success

Set up for success:

Inspectors appreciate homes that are truly ready. A well-prepared final inspection often goes smoother and faster.

Don't Rush Final

Common mistake: Calling final when house is 95% done, thinking "close enough."

Better approach: Finish that last 5%, then call. One week of extra prep work beats failing and waiting another 1-2 weeks for re-inspection.

The cost of delay from failure ($1,000-2,500/week) far exceeds the cost of taking time to finish properly.

After You Pass

Immediate Next Steps

  1. Get your CO from building department
  2. Contact insurance company to convert builder's risk to homeowner's policy
  3. Notify utility companies if needed
  4. Notify lender that CO issued
  5. Keep CO in safe placeCongratulations on building your house!** Getting to final inspection is a massive achievement.