NEIGHBORHOOD
New DCRA Platform Connects Customers and Inspectors
Find Third-Party Inspection Services WithTertius by Elizabeth O’Gorek
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n Tuesday, Nov. 9, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced they will launch an online marketplace for construction inspections. Called Tertius, the Latin word meaning ‘third,’ the system is designed to easily connect residential and commercial property owners and managers with certified and approved third-party inspectors. “Think of Tertius as an online marketplace for construction inspections, with oversight from the regulator. Its innovative design allows us to speed up the timeline for a project and provide transparency into third party inspection processes,” explains DCRA Director Ernest Chrappah. “As a result, residents and businesses have wider options and improved customer service, and that is our Ernest Chrappah, Director of the District Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), speaks at the Nov. 9 launch of the Tertius platform. Courtesy: DCRA top priority.” tion through the site. provide more convenient options for customers, Tertius provides cusDCRA-conducted construction inspections shortening the timeline to complete inspections. tomers with direct access to private inspectors. Cusare free, but customers pay independent inspection It also provides a platform to conduct and report tomers create an account, identify their projects and agencies for services. The system costs each private inspection activity. accept bids from inspectors that are matched to their company a platform fee amounting to 10 percent Customers are not required to use Tertius or projects. DCRA says this results in competitive prices of payments received, to be used to maintain and third party inspectors. They can still go directly to from commercial inspection agencies. Customers can upgrade the platform. DCRA said the system will DCRA’s website (https://dcra.dc.gov/page/inspeccommunicate with inspectors and pay for the inspec-
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