All,

Thank you for your replies, they are all insightful in one way or another.

I am sticking by my guns, so to speak.

As mentioned before, I see collar ties installed at 99% of the opposing rafters at the ridge whether the joists are parallel and acting as rafter ties or not. This very builder installed them (as collar ties, not rafter ties) at the main ridge. It has , in my experience, become industry standard and, as of the 2006 IRC, required, even if my jurisdiction has not accepted it. My SOP spells it out (somewhat) as a repair. Not to mention that it is a better quality method and we do occaisionally have windstorms here that will tear off a roof, and this has happened recently.

This has not been an issue of who is right or wrong for me but an issue of providing my client with a reasonable explanation for why I called this issue out as a repair item and perhaps providing him with information that he could provide to the builder as to why I believe it to be a repair issue.


I have explained to my client that although the builder may not have to install the ties per local code, they are recommended by me and that if the client sells the house and it is inspected by another home inspecor for the buyer, the other inspector may list the issue as a repair item.

Robert, regarding your question, when I can see that ceiling joists are not hung with proper hardware I do call them out, and always call out the issue on pre drywall inspections where everything is visible.

All we can do is call what we see.

Thanks again,

Eric