Private Provider Inspections

Effective October 1, 2002, Florida statute 553.791 was signed into law and is referred to as Private Provider Inspections. This law authorizes qualified Engineering Firms (meeting the requirements of the statute) to provide state required building code inspections and plan review on construction projects. This is good news for builders, contractors, and owners since every day saved in the permitting process is like money in their pockets. Private building code plan review and inspections can now be done as an alternative to the typical municipal process. Sands Engineering provides fully-insured coverage for all inspections completed, as required by Florida law.

FS 553.971, July 2021 Revision Florida House Bill 401 (2021), signed into law by Governor DeSantis and taking effect July 2021, makes a number of changes to the Florida Building Code. One of these changes is in regard to FS 553.791 – Alternate Plan Review and Inspection. There are a number of updates to this Statute, but one of the most significant is allowing Private Providers to perform the Code inspections Virtually (see Section (8)). This means that the contractor can contact me using a video chat application on their smart phone to perform the inspection, and then immediately resume working after being informed of a Passing inspection. The inspections still have to be scheduled ahead of time, but the exact time of the inspection will be more closely known, thus eliminating idle time.

Sands Engineering will act as an independent third-party providing services under Florida’s Private Provider Statute 553.791 keeping you informed of the status of your project at each step. As your Private Provider, I can immediately assess situations as they arise. Working directly with me allows for a transparent and straightforward process, with easy accessibility for all parties involved in the plan review and inspection process.

Whether you’re a developer, contractor, design professional or project owner, working with a Private Provider can save you time and money by shortening the permitting cycle and inspections timeline regardless of the complexity of the project. Projects can range in complexity from a simple remodeling to residential new construction. My objective is to serve you, my client, by speeding up your project and increasing your Return on Investment (ROI).  This is accomplished by eliminating some of the red tape, thus expediting the Plan Review and Inspection process.

Section (2)(b) of the revised Statute adds a nice bonus for Contractors or Owners. It says that the local jurisdiction must reduce the permit fees by either a flat fee or percentage basis for the use of a Private Provider. Previously, this reduction in fees was optional. Depending on the fee reduction amount, it could completely offset the Private Providers fees.

The disciplines reviewed for compliance to current building codes are as follows:

  • Building (structural and nonstructural)

  • Mechanical

  • Plumbing

  • Electrical

Services provided:

  • Virtual Inspections

  • Third Party Residential Building Inspections

  • Private Provider plans review and inspections

  • Work with subcontractors to resolve failed inspection issues so that re-inspections are not required

  • Weekend or afterhours inspections available (additional charge)

  • Plans pick-up and delivery (additional charge)