Building inspector

Description

Building inspectors perform inspections of buildings to determine compliance with specifications for various focuses of assessment. They observe and determine the suitability of construction, quality and resistance, and general compliance with regulations.

The duties of a building inspector include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting land surveys prior to construction.
  • Reviewing blueprints and building plans.
  • Checking foundation depth and the strength of construction materials.
  • Inspecting the building structure, plumbing, electrical, sewerage, and heating systems for safety and specification compliance.
  • Examining cranes and other lifting equipment.
  • Maintaining daily construction logs and ensuring that the construction site adheres to all safety codes.
  • Measuring dimensions to verify alignment, elevation, and leveling of the building.
  • Monitoring plumbing, heating, and electrical installations.
  • Issuing of violation notices and stop-work orders.
  • Signing and issuing construction and occupation permits.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to building inspector:

asbestos inspector
building control officer
building services inspector
construction control surveyor
buildings inspector
building control surveyor
building standards inspector
construction standards inspector
construction services inspector
construction inspector
construction control officer

Working conditions

Although building inspectors spend most of their time examining worksites, they also spend time in an office reviewing blueprints, writing reports, and scheduling inspections.

Some inspectors climb ladders or crawl in tight spaces as part of their work.

Building inspectors typically work alone. However, some inspectors may work as part of a team on large, complex projects, particularly if they specialize in one area of construction.

Work Schedules

Most building inspectors work full time during regular business hours. However, some work additional hours during periods of heavy construction. Also, if an accident occurs at a construction site, inspectors must respond immediately and may work additional hours to complete their report. Some building inspectors—especially those who are self-employed—work evenings and weekends. This is particularly true of home inspectors, who typically inspect homes during the day and write reports in the evening.

Minimum qualifications

Most employers require inspectors to have at least a high school diploma, even for workers who have considerable experience.

Some employers may seek candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or architecture or who have another postsecondary credential. Many community colleges offer a certificate or an associate’s degree program in building inspection technology and have courses in building inspection, home inspection, construction technology, and drafting. Courses in blueprint reading, vocational subjects, algebra, geometry, and writing are also useful. Courses in business management are helpful for those who plan to run their own inspection business.

Some jurisdictions require that building inspectors take continuing education courses to maintain their credentials.

Training requirements vary by state, locality, and type of inspector. In general, building inspectors receive much of their training on the job. Building inspectors learn building codes and standards as a prerequisite to obtaining their license and through continuing education. Working with an experienced inspector, they learn about inspection techniques; codes, ordinances, and regulations; contract specifications; and record-keeping and reporting duties. Training also may include supervised onsite inspections.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Employers may prefer to hire applicants who have both training and experience in a construction trade. For example, many inspectors have experience working as carpenters, electricians, or plumbers. Many home inspectors get experience in multiple specialties and enter the occupation with a combination of certifications and experience.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Building inspector is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Building inspector career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to building inspector.

property appraiser
asphalt laboratory technician
fire safety tester
utilities inspector
civil drafter

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of building inspector. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of building inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

land planner
construction general contractor
construction engineer
fire commissioner
urban planner

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of building inspector.

  • Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
  • Urban planning law: Investments and urban development agreements. Legislative developments regarding construction in terms of environmental, sustainability, social and financial matters.
  • Construction legal systems: The different legal systems and regulations governing construction activities across Europe.
  • Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
  • Building codes: The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.
  • Civil engineering: The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
  • Architecture regulations: The regulations, statutes, and legal agreements existing in the European Union in the field of architecture.
  • Construction methods: The various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of building inspector.

  • Assess construction compliance: Determine whether a construction complies with laws and regulations.
  • Liaise with local authorities: Maintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.
  • Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Inspect building systems: Inspect buildings and building systems such as plumbing or electrical systems to confirm compliance with regulations and requirements.
  • Communicate problems to senior colleagues: Communicate and give feedback to senior colleagues in the event of problems or non-conformities.
  • Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of building inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Surveying: The technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.
  • Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
  • Fire safety regulations: The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.
  • Surveying methods: Have an understanding of surveying methods, remote sensing methods and equipment.
  • Topography: Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
  • Building materials industry: Supplier, brands and types of products and goods available on the market of building materials.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of building inspector. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
  • Conduct land surveys: Conduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and digital measuring instruments.
  • Monitor parameters’ compliance in construction projects: Monitors progress in construction sites and the compliance of various parameters outlined in the design phase such as quality, costs, timeline, and contractors’ responsibilities.
  • Inform on safety standards: Inform managers and staff regarding workplace health and safety standards,,especially in the case of dangerous environments, such as in the construction or mining industry.
  • Conduct fire safety inspections: Conduct inspections in buildings and on sites to assess their fire prevention and safety equipment, evacuation strategies, and related strategies, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
  • Negotiate with stakeholders: Negotiate compromises with stakeholders and strive to reach the most beneficial agreements for the company. May involve building relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as ensuring products are profitable.
  • Perform field research: Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
  • Issue permits: Issue construction, renovation or demolition permits after thorough inspection.
  • Manage construction archive: Maintain and update the archive containing the construction documents of all the buildings that were approved by the building supervision.
  • Advise architects: Give advice on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.
  • Review construction projects: Review the documents and applications for building projects, discuss necessary changes with the contractors, and forward the documents to the building authorities if needed. Document any deviation from the original plans and inform the authorities.

ISCO group and title

3112 – Civil engineering technicians


References
  1. Building inspector – ESCO
  2. Construction and Building Inspectors : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. Building Inspector Job Description – Betterteam
  4. Featured image: By This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by National Archives at College Park – Still Pictures as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the Digital Public Library of America, via its partner National Archives and Records Administration.Record in source catalogDPLA identifier: 2923cf6804330e73bf3d77c04475f0d3National Archives Identifier: 81237307, Public Domain
Last updated on February 7, 2023