Inspection Bureau Inc

Inspection Bureau Inc operates as an electrical inspection agency serving Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Northern Kentucky. The organization holds a 2.5-star average across 41 customer reviews, with operating hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:45 PM. Founded in 1888 under the tagline "Electrical Safety Since 1888," IBI provides electrical plan reviews, permit processing, and inspection scheduling for contractors and property owners. The bureau processes applications for permits and scheduling requests through its online electronic permit center, available 24 hours daily. Customers can submit permit applications and track their status via the website, with the front counter offering in-person assistance for homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and new contractors.

The bureau distinguishes itself through technological adoption, becoming the first inspection agency in the area to offer online scheduling in July 2002 and online permits in March 2004. Their field inspectors are available for code questions daily between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, with the president providing personal attention to inquiries received after inspectors depart. IBI offers educational materials at their front counter, including printed information for special projects and code-related issues. The organization handles electrical plan reviews, though they explicitly note this service does not apply to single-family, two-family, or three-family dwellings, directing those inquiries to the Ohio Residential Code guidelines.

Customer reviews reveal persistent challenges with service timelines and communication. Multiple contractors report waiting three months or longer for permits after payment, with some describing projects stalled due to delayed inspections. Several reviewers cite difficulties reaching staff by phone, with calls going unanswered or unreturned. One contractor describes waiting weeks for a follow-up call after submitting an $80 permit request in October. Another recounts a two-inch meter reposition requirement leaving their property without power for weeks during the waiting period for a second inspection. A contrasting five-star review from a long-time electrical contractor praises the knowledge and professionalism, though noting occasional confusion when multiple inspectors are assigned to a single project.