Chicago, Illinois
Find what your
punch list missed.
Send us photos and your tracking list. Get a written findings report within 24 hours* — before your inspector or auditor does.
— any industry with field inspections in Chicago.
$250, one time · Nothing new, no charge · You keep the report either way
*Depending on availability. We'll confirm turnaround when you submit.
The Chicago Inspection Readiness Report is a one-time $250 service with 24-hour turnaround. Upload your project photos and tracking list to receive findings before the inspector visits. Chicago maintains its own municipal building code rather than adopting the ICC model codes, and inspectors enforce Chicago-specific requirements for masonry construction, porch structural connections, and high-rise fire protection details.
Code BuddyPrepared for Acme Mechanical Inc.
Location
Chicago, IL
Date
Aug 8, 2026
Trade
Electrical
Findings
Penetration seal not matching approved submittal — visible gap at fire-rated assembly
Checked against: Company SOP 4.2
Fastener pattern deviates from manufacturer data sheet — 6" OC required, measured at 9" OC
Checked against: Project Spec 08-31
Working clearance below required minimum at panel — 30" required, 22" measured
Checked against: Applicable Standard
codebuddy.chatPage 1 of 4
Trusted by teams at
Three steps. Five minutes.
Submit your job, and our patent-pending AI technology reviews every photo against your standards, specs, and existing tracking.
Tell us about the job.
Project name, address in Chicago, and primary trade or discipline. We look up the applicable standards and regulations automatically from the address.
Send your photos and open items.
Upload directly, share a Drive/Dropbox link, or email them over. Your existing tracking sets the bar — anything already on it doesn't count as a finding.
Our patent-pending technology and AI system analyze every photo.
Cross-references each image against your specs, the applicable standards, and your existing tracking — helping identify deviations your list may have missed.
Get your report within 24 hours*.
Each finding includes the photo, the exact location, and the code section or spec it deviates from. Sorted by severity so you know what to fix first.
Built by Code Buddy.
Code Buddy is an AI-powered compliance platform used by thousands of field professionals across construction, energy, manufacturing, and fleet operations. Our patent-pending technology checks job site photos against codes, specs, and standards — the same technology that powers this report.
Built for the people who actually do the work.
Industries supported
Report turnaround
If nothing new identified
The kind of things we help catch.
Examples based on past reports. Each finding includes the photo, location, and the reference it was checked against.
Rear porch ledger board attached with nails instead of required through-bolts per Chicago porch safety ordinance 13-196-530
All branch circuit wiring run in Romex NM cable instead of required EMT conduit per Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 18-27
Cast iron waste stack connection to PVC transition fitting lacks required shielded coupling with stainless steel band clamps
Rooftop HVAC unit on three-flat lacks required seismic bracing and roof curb flashing per Chicago wind load standards
Masonry lintel above window opening shows no visible steel angle iron support, relying on mortar bond alone for load transfer
Common stairway in two-flat missing required self-closing device on door between dwelling units and shared corridor
And only if we identify something that wasn't already on your list.
If everything identified was already on your list, you pay nothing. You keep the report either way.
GET STARTEDLimited spots each week.
Every report is reviewed by a QA professional before delivery — not just generated and sent. That human review step means we can only take a limited number of jobs per week. Submissions are reviewed in the order they're received, and we'll let you know upfront if your report will take longer than 24 hours.
Before you ask.
Why does Chicago use its own building code instead of the IBC?
Chicago has maintained its own municipal building code for over a century. It differs from the International Building Code on wiring methods, masonry requirements, and fire separation standards. The readiness report flags Chicago-specific requirements that contractors from outside the city often miss.
Is EMT conduit really required for all wiring in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago requires electrical metallic tubing for nearly all interior wiring. Romex NM cable, which is standard in most of Illinois, is not permitted in Chicago. This is the single most common failure for contractors unfamiliar with Chicago code.
How does the $250 report help with Chicago's inspection process?
Chicago inspections can involve long scheduling waits. A failed inspection means re-entering the queue, adding weeks. The report identifies likely failures within 24 hours so you can fix items before the inspector arrives and avoid rescheduling.
What porch-specific items do Chicago inspectors flag?
After the 2003 porch collapse ordinance, Chicago inspectors closely check ledger bolt connections, joist hanger installation, guardrail post anchoring, and decay-rated lumber usage. Porch structural deficiencies are treated as life-safety failures.
Does the report cover Chicago high-rise or commercial projects?
Yes. The report addresses commercial and high-rise items including fire-rated assemblies, standpipe connections, elevator shaft separation, and accessibility compliance. Submit relevant photos and the report covers whichever trades and systems are shown.
Also in Illinois