California inspectors head to school - Making News

Pool & Spa News, Feb 13, 2004 by Rebecca Robledo

The California industry lobbying group SPEC is working with the Contractors State License Board to educate permit and inspection officials in proper pool and spa building practices.

Of particular importance is the need to teach permit clerks how to spot unlicensed pool consultants who hide behind owner-builders, said SPEC officials.

"We've got a lot of complaints that we've filed with the CSLB [regarding] people who lost their licenses and are now out telling the owner, 'You go pull your permit and I'll do all the rest,'" said SPEC President/ CEO Don Burns. "But you need a license to do that."

Occasionally, certain regions in the state experience rashes of illegal pool consultants, added Burns. Last year for example, San Joaquin County's number of owner-builder permits jumped to approximately 180 from an average 60 to 70.

"It is way out of the ordinary, so someone's out there advertising," Burns said. "When we check into these people, we find they have lost their licenses. So they're doing the next thing they know how to do and that's cheat a different way."

He said a disproportionate number of workmanship and customer-service complaints result from such pools.

In the SPEC-backed, two-hour courses, inspectors will be instructed on what to look for during final inspections and when following up on consumer complaints.

"It will help us in being able to tell the field investigators what they should be looking for when a homeowner says, 'I've got workmanship problems.' Is it or isn't it? There are an awful lot of unrealistic expectations," Burns said.

A pool builder and a representative from the CSLB will conduct the training.

Besides educating officials, Burns hopes the program opens communications between builders and the inspector community.

The first course will be held in San Clemente because officials there originally suggested it, said Burns. He hopes the pilot session takes place by the beginning of April. After that, programs are set to be launched in problem areas identified by the California Building Officials Association.