I stick to my original position, Eric. The issue is not if AHJ's or anybody else is always right. The issue, as I understand it, is that you have to be able to say something meaningful to your Client.

I assume, and all others should have, that you are an intelligent adult and would use your own words to convey your message.

The facts are that no matter how stupid and backward we are here in Texas, the AHJ makes the final call. Your odds of getting the builder or that AHJ Inspector to admit that having collar ties are the better building practice are pretty slim. Agreed? Is your objective to be the "right" guy or the "Smartest" guy? Or is it to get your Client to install the collar ties? Your response to the Client depends on the answer to those questions.

If it is the latter, then the answer could be as simple as, "It is unfortunate that the builder doesn't realize that code is not something to strive for. It is the lowest performance possible without failure. The cost of 2x4's is minimal and I hope that you will install them."

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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
- Paul Fix