Construction and Building Inspector

Working Schedule

• Construction and Building Inspectors work full-time, with overtime required in some cases. They must also be able to respond to serious construction incidents and mishaps. Self-employed inspectors can set their own schedules and may opt to work nights or weekends.

Typical Duties

• Review construction and building blueprints, plans, layouts, and methods
• Sign off on plans meeting all applicable requirements
• Conduct routine inspections of under-construction job sites 
• Test for leaks, damage, or quality problems; ensure all work is done to required specifications and complies with codes, standards, ordinances, etc. 
• Inspect all systems under their purview, such as plumbing and electrical systems
• Watch for environmental hazards, such as pollution, asbestos, water contamination, etc.
• Provide oral or written feedback to construction managers, contractors, stakeholders, and governmental agencies, as needed
• Keep detailed records, including photos and videos
• Track compliance findings and their resolutions
• Cite violations; issue stop-work orders when necessary, especially if there’s a safety concern
• Survey sites to ensure proper layout alignments and correct building elevations

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure permits and licenses have been obtained by builders
• Participate in mishap investigations as needed
• Mentor new inspectors
• Continuously review codes, standards, ordinances, and policies for updates and revisions
• Complete refresher training for applicable certifications

Soft Skills

• Analytical 
• Calm under pressure
• Decisive
• Evaluation skills
• Independent
• Integrity
• Patience and persistence 
• Complex problem solving
• Negotiation and collaboration
• Psychology and motivational skills 
• Keen writing and communication skills
• Realistic
• Risk management
• Safety-oriented 
• Stamina
• Team player
• Time management 

Technical Skills

• Compliance software 
• Computer aided design 
• Database reporting 
• Enterprise resource planning 
• General accounting 
• Inspection forms
• Map creation — ESRI ArcView; Trimble Digital Fieldbook
• Mechanical know-how
• Procurement programs

• Construction and engineering services    
• Local and state governments
• Self-employed workers    

Construction and Building Inspectors have some of the most critical jobs in the sector because they’re the ones ensuring everyone else is doing their jobs correctly. As a result, inspectors must be highly competent and knowledgeable about the guidelines they’re enforcing. 

As you might expect, nobody likes being told that they aren’t doing a good enough job or that they have to stop working because of a compliance problem. Inspectors therefore must be sure of what they’re saying, having the courage to stand behind their words, and the determination to enforce their authority. That said, they should possess diplomatic skills, too, i.e. the ability to explain problems in a way that others can understand. They should offer potential solutions that will meet requirements so everyone can move forward. 

Inspectors aren’t there to hold things up; they work to make sure construction is done safely and in accordance with several different requirements from multiple parties. Sometimes managers, foremen, or stakeholders can get frustrated, but a skilled inspector can often facilitate collaboration in such circumstances. It’s up to Construction and Building Inspectors to hold the line and not cave in to pressure. 

Construction and Building Inspector jobs are not expected to grow substantially in the next decade, however work should be consistent. As older workers retire, new ones will need to fill the gap, and should have training on the most up-to-date methods and technologies. 

Construction projects never stop. From new structures to renovating and expanding existing ones, these jobs require knowledgeable inspectors familiar with all applicable codes, environmental standards, and other regulations. Workers with the most credentials, who can perform multiple types of inspections, will surely be the most competitive in the job markets of tomorrow. Knowledge of current and trending construction technology, engineering, and architecture will also have a leg up. 

Trends include insurance companies taking advantage of inspectors’ ability to obtain analytical and quantitative data that they can use for risk assessment. There’s also the increasing reliance of drones to get a bird’s eye view of elevated work, and the increase in weather incidents that pose serious risks to buildings and other structures. Meanwhile, many businesses are seeking faster infrastructure growth to keep up with competition from overseas economies, so inspectors are vital to verify that growth speed doesn’t come with a sacrifice in quality. 

Construction and Building Inspectors are by-the-book types and probably always were. That’s a good thing, because without their ability to keep companies in compliance with rules, our lives would be less safe and the buildings we live in would have all types of problems. Inspectors are diligent guardians against poor quality, substandard materials, shoddy workmanship, and unsafe practices. 

Odds are they were very responsible as kids, perhaps being older siblings in charge of taking care of younger ones. They may have enjoyed activities in school where they got to learn and enforce policies or perform administrative tasks. Ideally they’re able to help motivate others to understand the reasons why compliance is so important. These soft skills may have been developed at home, in school, or through other work experiences. Inspectors may have enjoyed juggling lots of things at once. Chances are they also loved to get outdoors and work with their hands, yet were equally content reading complex materials that might bore others.