They believe that an inspector checks and approves all design and construction details, including the quality of the work, to guarantee the fitness of the new home. This is not the case, and placing complete faith in the system of building codes and inspections to protect you is unwise for several reasons. The Building Code is intended primarily to ensure that health and safety standards for buildings are met, not to guarantee overall construction quality. The quality of work, finishes, landscaping, and driveways are examples of items that are not regulated by the Building Code but are often the focus of complaints by owners of new homes. A building with a design that meets all Code requirements may still cause problems for the buyer if the design is not properly executed during construction or if the drawings are not sufficiently detailed to guide the workers.
Local governments enforce the standards established in the Building Code.
The municipal building inspection office usually reviews the major construction stages, identifies structural deficiencies and ensures they are corrected before certifying the building as fit for occupancy. Quite simply, the building inspector cannot witness the pounding of every nail. As such, the building inspection process should be seen as more of an audit of the construction, rather than a comprehensive review of all components. The level of Code enforcement varies throughout the province, depending on the resources and policies of the local government building department. Levels of inspection may vary from detailed inspections, to cursory spot checks during construction, to no on-site inspection at all.