Final Inspections & Permit Closeout
We coordinate the final inspection with the building department, set the date with the homeowner, brief them on what the inspector will want to see, and make sure the HERS test and permit packet are in their hands. When roof or attic access is needed, we drop a single-story ladder in the morning and pick it up that afternoon.
Why open permits matter
A permit that's pulled but never finalized stays on the property record. It can hold up a sale, a refinance, or a future remodel. Cities across California are increasingly active about flagging open permits during property transfers. Closing them out cleanly - on the day the work is actually done - saves headaches that arrive years later.
ERE Inspections handles permit closeout as a finishing service for any project. You don't need to have used us for the original permit to use us for the closeout.
What's included
- Inspection scheduling. We coordinate with the city inspector and the homeowner to set a date that works for both. We confirm the inspector and the homeowner are expected on-site.
- Homeowner briefing. Ahead of the inspection we walk the homeowner through what the inspector will check - mechanical equipment, ducting access, attic hatch, rooftop equipment, panel labels, water-heater straps, etc. - so the conversation goes smoothly.
- Documentation handoff. We make sure the homeowner has the HERS / ECC test results, the signed CF3R if relevant, and the permit packet on hand - everything the inspector will ask to see.
- Single-story ladder drop, when access is needed. If the inspector will need to get on the roof or in the attic and the homeowner doesn't already have a ladder on site, we drop a single-story ladder off in the morning of the inspection and pick it up that afternoon.
- Re-inspection coordination. If the inspector calls out a correction, we upload a copy of the Correction Notice to our portal & email a copy to the contractor's office. We schedule another final inspection request once the work is corrected.
- Permit closeout confirmation. Once the inspector signs off, we upload a copy of the Final Signed Permit to our portal & email a copy to the contractor's office.
What ERE does NOT do at finals
Worth being explicit: ERE is not on-site during the final inspection. We don't speak to the inspector and we don't touch the system. The homeowner is the one who walks the inspector through the work - it's their property, their permit, their conversation. Our job is to set the table so that conversation is short: the inspector knows when to be there, the homeowner knows what to show, the documents are ready, and a single-story ladder is at the door if the inspector needs one.
Frequently asked
Can you close out a permit you didn't pull?
Yes. We can take over a closeout for any open permit, including permits another contractor or expediter pulled. We just need the permit number and city.
What if the work fails inspection?
We brief the homeowner ahead of time on what the inspector will check, so most issues are caught before the inspector arrives. If the inspector flags a correction on the day-of, we coordinate the re-inspection: communicate the correction to the responsible trade contractor, schedule the return visit, and re-issue the inspection request once the work is corrected. Re-inspection fees vary by city.
How long does a final inspection take?
Typical final inspections are 30 minutes to an hour. The city inspector schedules the window with the homeowner; we make sure both sides have the time confirmed and the homeowner has the HERS test and permit packet in hand.
Do I need to be there?
Yes. The homeowner needs to be on-site to let the inspector in, walk them through the work, and answer questions. We brief you ahead of time on what the inspector will want to see, make sure the HERS test and permit packet are ready, and drop a single-story ladder if roof or attic access is needed. We don't attend the inspection ourselves and we don't speak for the homeowner or the inspector - we set the table so the inspection goes smoothly.
Do you handle final inspections for HERS / ECC projects too?
Yes. For Title 24 projects, the CF3R / HERS field verification typically happens before the building department's final. We do both. See Title 24 HERS / ECC Rating.
Why does an open permit matter if the work is already done?
A permit that's pulled but never finalized stays on the property record at the city. It can hold up a sale, a refinance, or future remodel permits. California cities are increasingly active about flagging open permits during property transfers - title companies pull permit history as part of the disclosure process. Closing the permit on the day of the final inspection is the cleanest path. ERE handles closeout for any permit, including ones we didn't originally pull.
Do you bring your own ladder for roof and attic access?
Yes - when the inspector needs roof or attic access and the homeowner doesn't already have a ladder on site, we drop a single-story ladder off in the morning of the inspection and pick it up that afternoon. ERE doesn't attend the final inspection itself; the homeowner walks the inspector through the work. But we make sure access tools are at the door so the inspector isn't held up while a ladder gets sourced. (For HERS / ECC field testing, which is a separate appointment we run ourselves, we bring our own single-story ladders and field-test equipment as standard - see Title 24 HERS / ECC Rating.)
What documents will I have when the permit is closed out?
A signed final inspection card from the city inspector, the closed permit record (visible on the city's online portal or by request), the signed CF3R if the project required HERS / ECC verification, and any inspection notes from the day of. We send a clean PDF of the closeout file for your records - useful for property documentation, sale disclosures, and warranty claims down the road. Everything stays on the city's system for the long-term record.
How quickly can ERE schedule a final inspection?
Final inspection scheduling depends on the city inspector's availability - typically 2 to 10 business days from the request, depending on the city and the season. We work with all the LA, OC, Riverside, and San Bernardino county building departments regularly and know how each scheduling system works. For permits that are about to lapse, tell us - there's often a way to move faster. Most jobs get an inspection slot within a week.
Ready to close out your permit?
Tell us the project and jurisdiction. We coordinate the final with the city inspector and the homeowner, brief them on what the inspector will check, and confirm closeout - single-story ladder dropped when roof or attic access is needed.