Getting it right: Parrish retires as building inspector

During his 31 years as a building inspector, Virgil Parrish has witnessed an evolution in building materials and construction trends. He’s also seen both a boom in homebuilding and a near collapse in the wake of the Great Recession 16 years ago.

But the thing that didn’t change across those three decades was Parrish’s goal to ensure new homes and commercial buildings were constructed according to applicable building codes, ensuring they were safe for long-term occupancy.

Parrish, who will bring his career with the Perquimans County Building Inspections Department to a close next month, said he didn’t “imagine I’d be in inspections so long” when he started.

“But here it is 30 years later,” he said.

When he arrived in Perquimans, Parrish had already worked for the Elizabeth City Inspections Department and his expertise in framing. Those were the boom days of home building in the area.

“They had so many homes going up in Albemarle Plantation, it was nothing to have 70 or 80 going on, just in the Plantation,” Parrish said of Perquimans County’s community on the Albemarle Sound. “Today, that number of homes being inspected (in the county) might be 20 or 30.”

Parrish has worked both as a member of a team of inspectors as well as on his own. Parrish says the job requires multiple visits to building sites. From the time builders set out the first round of blocks, there are phases of inspections that must be completed.

It’s a job that Parrish suspects few young people think about when pondering a future career.

Parrish said he always liked liked working outside and seeing a structure assembled. His experience in construction work dated back to his teen years. It was rewarding work, but it wasn’t without its challenges.

“People probably don’t realize all the houses we have to crawl under,” he said. “If there is a crawl space, we go underneath and look. Then there are days in summer you’re climbing to the attic when it’s 900 degrees up there.”

It can be taxing work but it’s critically important.

“As inspectors, we are protecting the homeowner and protecting the contractor at the same time,” Parrish said. “If it’s all done correctly, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

In an era when the term “affordable housing” is often debated, Parrish advises consumers to explore their options. Perquimans residents can have comfortable, durable homes if they remain focused on essential matters.

“Build what you can afford,” he said. “If it’s a small house, you can live in it a while and get get your money out of it after it appreciates. If you plan to stay a long time, design it, build it in such a way that you can add on to it.”

One of the most noticeable developments Parrish has seen over three decades as an inspector is an increase in the number of modular and manufactured homes.

“They are the more affordable thing now and they are a much better product today than they were years ago,” he said. “People like them because they can get into them quicker than waiting for a contractor to finish a stick built home.”

Parrish laughs when he recalls the challenges of having to adjust to contractors’ and homeowners’ differing personalities. He said he has always tried to assure both that patience is an admirable virtue, particularly when they were waiting for final inspections to electrical and plumbing work to be completed.

And when Parrish, the building contractor, and the new homeowner finally shake hands to celebrate a completed construction project, it is a great day.

“When you see a finished home and know it will still be useful in 30 years or 40 years, you walk away happy you had a part of it,” he said.