Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Florida Principle and Practice Licensure Practice Exam

Who is responsible for covering the costs of employing a special inspector on a threshold building project?

1. Engineer of record

2. Prime contractor

3. Concrete contractor

4. Fee owner

The correct answer is: Fee owner

In the context of a threshold building project, the responsibility for covering the costs associated with employing a special inspector typically lies with the fee owner. This is because the owner holds the ultimate financial responsibility for the project and the integrity of the construction process. Special inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring that the construction meets all relevant codes and standards, particularly for critical structural elements. Having the fee owner responsible for these costs aligns with the owner’s interests in maintaining quality and compliance, as they stand to benefit from a well-constructed building that adheres to safety regulations. Additionally, the involvement of special inspectors may be a requirement for compliance with local building codes, further necessitating the owner's financial commitment to ensure that proper oversight is provided throughout the construction process. In contrast, while the engineer of record, the prime contractor, and the concrete contractor all have their roles in the construction project, they do not typically bear the responsibility for these costs as it is fundamentally the owner's investment in their property.