Who schedules the inspection?

[NorCalSlrUser]

Does Tesla schedule the inspection, or do I have to contact the city to schedule it?

I thought it is Tesla, since they need to have a representative at the inspection, is that correct?

 

[holeydonut]

Yeah, the installer is supposed to schedule the city/county inspection and is also responsible for scheduling the PTO inspection.

 

[charlesj]

Yep, mine was scheduled by Tesla.

 

[aesculus]

And make sure Tesla is onsite and has all the documentation with them. Some have failed when Tesla did not show up or came without the required documentation.

 

[jboy210]

Tesla should schedule it. They will send someone out to ensure all placards and required documentation are available. During ours, this person also opened up all the boxes and walked the inspector through each requirement. Took less than 15 minutes and most of it was just chatting since the work was well documented.

 

[sorka]

And make sure Tesla is onsite and has all the documentation with them. Some have failed when Tesla did not show up or came without the required documentation.

All of my required docs were missing. The Tesla inspection coordinator showed up two hours before the inspection to make sure everything was all lined up and ready. Stickers, plans(which were supposed to be left in an envelope taped to the inside door of the distribution panel.

Those were missing. Half the stickers were missing. He had to call someone in an office an hour away who could print out the plans and bring them over. They arrived 15 minutes before the county inspector got here. The inspector arrived and 5 minutes later knocked on the door to get my verbal on carbon detection devices and then he was gone.

 

[Momvivant]

Tesla files the plans with the city...the city approves and Tesla has to pick up the approved plans. It’s at that point that they can schedule the inspection. At least that’s what happens in our city in OC. I know because I kept checking up on Tesla since the elapse times were so long.

if the submitted and approved plans don’t match what’s installed, they will reject and require a resubmit of the plans. This happened to us. The cycle starts all over again.

 

[NorCalSlrUser]

It's been now six days after the install and no one at Tesla seems to know when it will get scheduled.

I have messaged my energy advisor and she does not know, as another department does the scheduling.
I talked to the 877 numbers for both the energy advisors and the scheduling (they normally only handle scheduling install and service) and they were kind enough to look at it and put notes on the account, but they also do not know who will schedule it.

So now it is almost certain that the inspection will not happen before the end of the year. The advisor at the 877 number thought I can still take the credit as the system was installed this year.

 

[jedmo]

It's been now six days after the install and no one at Tesla seems to know when it will get scheduled.

I have messaged my energy advisor and she does not know, as another department does the scheduling.
I talked to the 877 numbers for both the energy advisors and the scheduling (they normally only handle scheduling install and service) and they were kind enough to look at it and put notes on the account, but they also do not know who will schedule it.

So now it is almost certain that the inspection will not happen before the end of the year. The advisor at the 877 number thought I can still take the credit as the system was installed this year.

If the installers made layout changes during installation, they'll need to resubmit updated plans with the new layout to the permit department for approval. Depending on your city/county, this may take some time. I am in NorCal (Placer county), and waited almost 2 weeks from installation for the first inspection, which failed. I am now waiting for Tesla to get the 3rd set of plans approved for so they can schedule the second inspection, as they had to correct an issue that the inspector pointed out.

 

[Uncle Paul]

In my case Tesla scheduled the inspection. I spoke to the City inspector and they said they were short staffed due to Covid.
Couple days after inspection I rec'd payment request from Tesla. Made my payment, got a email receipt.
Tesla will then contact Utility to get permission to turn the system on.

Tesla says they have noted that I have self referred and will be sending me a check in the future. It was not a discount off the initial price, but will receive a check in the mail.

The mentioned they understand customers interest in qualifying for tax credits this year. Are hustling as quickly as possible with installations.

Contrary to lots of posts, Tesla kept me well informed as to what was going on all through this process. I realize they avoid customers calling for constant updates, but they were good about giving me essential information all along the way as to when they would be accomplishing next steps.

 

[holeydonut]

Man, I'm worried I'm going to get dinged by your "external rapid ESS shutdown" malarkey and the whole "no line of sight to the ESS breakers" malarkey.

Edit: sorry I meant this for Jedmo.

 

[jboy210]

It's been now six days after the install and no one at Tesla seems to know when it will get scheduled.

I have messaged my energy advisor and she does not know, as another department does the scheduling.
I talked to the 877 numbers for both the energy advisors and the scheduling (they normally only handle scheduling install and service) and they were kind enough to look at it and put notes on the account, but they also do not know who will schedule it.

So now it is almost certain that the inspection will not happen before the end of the year. The advisor at the 877 number thought I can still take the credit as the system was installed this year.

The Tesla inspection teams have their own operations regarding scheduling, etc. I definitely got the feeling they operated apart from the installers to which the advisors had some access.

Our final inspection took a couple of months to coordinated. But, others had gotten theirs in days and weeks.

As far as the tax credit goes, the consensus seems to be passing final inspection and paying are the criteria to meet. But one could make a case that the system was installed this year so you should take the credit this year.

 

[jedmo]

Man, I'm worried I'm going to get dinged by your "external rapid ESS shutdown" malarkey and the whole "no line of sight to the ESS breakers" malarkey.

Edit: sorry I meant this for Jedmo.

I have my fingers crossed for you. I don't think the updated plans for my install will get approved before the end of the year. Not sure what to do about the tax credit, as I read it, its states:

"Costs. For purposes of both credits, costs are treated as being paid when the original installation of the item is completed, or, in the case of costs connected with the reconstruction of your home, when your original use of the reconstructed home begins. "

My inclination is that I qualify for the 26% credit, as the original install was completed on 11/5. But, I am biased.

 

[NorCalSlrUser]

If the installers made layout changes during installation, they'll need to resubmit updated plans with the new layout to the permit department for approval. Depending on your city/county, this may take some time. I am in NorCal (Placer county), and waited almost 2 weeks from installation for the first inspection, which failed. I am now waiting for Tesla to get the 3rd set of plans approved for so they can schedule the second inspection, as they had to correct an issue that the inspector pointed out.

I think you may be right, as they did move one panel since it would not fit as originally drawn. Which is sad, given that they did site visit before the install. I wish they would inform me though.

 

[Momvivant]

There is a separate department that schedules the inspection, and you should have been contacted by an inspection coordinator who interfaces with clients like us. My person was pretty backlogged and useless. Then, internally they have a inspection specialist who works with the city, plus a whole team that does inspection fixes.

Most likely, your job is either stuck with the city or with Tesla. I’d start with the city since they’re easier to get a hold of and see if the plans have been submitted for inspection.

 

[aesculus]

There is a separate department that schedules the inspection, and you should have been contacted by an inspection coordinator who interfaces with clients like us. My person was pretty backlogged and useless. Then, internally they have a inspection specialist who works with the city, plus a whole team that does inspection fixes.

Most likely, your job is either stuck with the city or with Tesla. I’d start with the city since they’re easier to get a hold of and see if the plans have been submitted for inspection.

@Momvivant suggestion is a good one. Many communities have online status systems to check permits etc. You often don't even need an account but just the permit or parcel number. In my county I can find both of these by the owners name too.

 

[jboy210]

@Momvivant suggestion is a good one. Many communities have online status systems to check permits etc. You often don't even need an account but just the permit or parcel number. In my county I can find both of these by the owners name too.

Same in my city. You can just enter the street name and it shows you all of the permits and their status for the last decade or so.

 

[NorCalSlrUser]

Good idea to check the city department - There is no inspection scheduled.

I even tried calling the Tesla contact number that they have on the permit application, but there is no answer and I left a message at an unnamed mailbox.

 

[Laketime]

We didn't get scheduled for our town's inspection until after we got our PTO. PTO came last Wednesday and we had the inspection today. Everything was coordinated by Telsa.

 

[jboy210]

We didn't get scheduled for our town's inspection until after we got our PTO. PTO came last Wednesday and we had the inspection today. Everything was coordinated by Telsa.

Interesting. In my city, Tesla will not send the PTO paperwork to the utility until after the final inspection is passed.