Couldn’t agree more about calling ahead—saved me from a pointless drive more than once. The checklist idea is gold. I’ve had city staff give me two different answers on the same day, so double-checking is just smart. It’s a hassle, but you’re handling it way better than most.
I’ve run into that too—one inspector says you’re good, the next says you’re missing a form. It’s wild. Ever tried submitting digital plans instead of paper? I’ve noticed some cities process those faster, but others seem to get bogged down. Wondering if anyone’s had luck with that route.
Honestly, I feel your pain. It’s like a roll of the dice every time—one inspector’s checklist is never the same as the next. I’ve had better luck with digital plans in some places, but yeah, it’s hit or miss. Still, I’d say it’s worth trying if your city offers it. At least you save some trees and a trip to the printer, right?
Honestly, digital plans have been a lifesaver for me—when they actually work. I’ve had a few projects where the city’s online portal glitched and I ended up having to resubmit everything in person anyway. Still, I’d rather take my chances with digital. At least you can track your submission and avoid those endless phone calls. Plus, if you’re super thorough with your documentation, sometimes you can preempt those random inspector requests. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than nothing.
Honestly, the digital portals are a double-edged sword. When they work, it’s a dream—no more waiting in line at city hall. But when they glitch, it’s a nightmare. I’ve had to drive across town just to drop off a USB stick because the upload failed three times. Still, I’d rather deal with the occasional tech hiccup than the old paper shuffle. My advice? Always keep a backup of everything and screenshot your submissions. It’s saved me more than once when the city “lost” my plans... again.