Or the contractor did bad work, didn't pull a permit, never closed the permit, or stopped answering the phone. One call sorts out what the code requires, what it takes to pass, and what to ask for next.
Travis Smith, ICC-Certified Residential Plans Examiner. The same certification your building department's plan reviewer holds - working for you.
I'm not bidding the fix, so I have no reason to make it sound bigger or smaller than it is.
Most building departments have a way to permit work after the fact. That can mean opening up finished work so the inspector can see it. I can tell you what an inspector is likely to want to see, and what to ask the building department.
An open permit usually means the final inspection never happened. Your building department can show you which inspections passed and which are still open. That list is what's left to do.
Before you hire someone to finish, find out where the job stands: what passed inspection, what's left, and what the next contractor should be pricing.
Start with the inspection notice or the code section, not your opinion of the work. Ask for the fix and a date, in writing. If you're not sure your complaint holds up, check it before you send it.
I give a technical opinion: is it code, is it standard workmanship, and what to ask your contractor or the building department for. This is not legal advice.
$149 for a call of up to 45 minutes, by phone or video. A REScheck ordered within 30 days of the call is half price. Residential projects only.
Holding a correction letter from plan review instead? See permit corrections and plan check comments.