The city has the right and the responsibility to require certification ensuring that your foundation is adequate to take the imposed loads. The city inspector cannot and should not assume the liability for making that determination himself because it opens the city up to some serious responsibility in litigation. Requiring an engineer to approve the condition is normal and should be expected. Honestly, it tells me that the city is really on their game and that should be appreciated despite the cost that you incur.
The fact your engineer says he knows the process has nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that you errantly believed him.
I do think it is inappropriate for the city to require the same engineer to evaluate the foundation. Although there are issues that require the engineer of record to do the work, I don't think that's the case in your situation. The engineer you have can design the structure and another engineer can take his design and determine if the foundation elements are adequate to support it. I'd call BS on the city and ask for verbage in their codes or ordinances that would prohibit you from using another engineer to evaluate the foundation.
You always have the option of abandoning the project if you haven't started it. The costs associated with the project are yours and yours alone to assume unless you have a builder making your decisions under contract.
The city may or may not charge for inspections in addition to permit fees. Inspection costs are typically fairly small. That totally depends on their fee structure and local ordinance.
The fact your engineer says he knows the process has nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that you errantly believed him.
I do think it is inappropriate for the city to require the same engineer to evaluate the foundation. Although there are issues that require the engineer of record to do the work, I don't think that's the case in your situation. The engineer you have can design the structure and another engineer can take his design and determine if the foundation elements are adequate to support it. I'd call BS on the city and ask for verbage in their codes or ordinances that would prohibit you from using another engineer to evaluate the foundation.
You always have the option of abandoning the project if you haven't started it. The costs associated with the project are yours and yours alone to assume unless you have a builder making your decisions under contract.
The city may or may not charge for inspections in addition to permit fees. Inspection costs are typically fairly small. That totally depends on their fee structure and local ordinance.
