Becoming a Building Inspector

Building inspectors are responsible for ensuring that building work complies with national and local codes and building regulations. They examine plans and inspect sites and buildings to check their safety and health regulations are complied with. Building inspectors may also advise contractors on cultural methods of construction and encourage energy conservation and access facilities for the disabled.

The job:

Building inspectors are concerned with new building work and the alteration, extension, and repair of existing buildings and structures. Their work may cover buildings, highways, sewage systems, dams, bridges, and harbors. Specialization is possible in, for example, electrical inspection, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, heating equipment, and plumbing and waste disposal systems. Building inspectors may also specialize in particular types of buildings, such as glass, structural steel, or reinforced concrete.

On new construction projects, building inspectors that the plans and make sure the structures comply with regulations and that the site is environmentally suitable. Building inspectors may have to ensure that additional regulations on quality and safety are followed in areas with severe natural hazards such as earthquakes or hurricanes. Depending on the complexity of the structure, inspectors make a number of site visits at various stages. Quality control is ensured through collection of soil samples and construction materials.

When building regulations are not followed by the contractors, then the building inspector will have to enforce the law. Inspectors trying to do this by persuasion and negotiation but, if the deficiency is not corrected, they can stop the building work and take the building contractor to court.

Building inspectors may also assess fire risks, arrange access for the disabled, check that demolition work is carried out safely, or deal with applications for home improvement grants.

Building inspectors usually work office hours. However, if they specialize in site work, they are maybe emergency call outs. Some inspectors work from home. Some inspectors may also work in their part time and there is also the opportunity for job sharing.

Building inspectors need a head for heights for site visits, which have to be made in all types of weather.

Training involved:

A bachelor's degree or higher diploma in building, building surveying, the built environment, or civil engineering is preferred in many countries. Graduates may be able to obtain exemption from professional examinations in building inspection or control.

Entrance with fewer qualifications will be expected to supplement their practical experience by part-time study for the relevant examinations. Subjects include construction techniques and materials and building codes. Many employers have formal training programs.

Future prospects:

The building and construction industries depend on the prevailing economic climate, thus the numbers of people employed very with the amount of work available. However, opportunities for building inspectors are usually less affected by contractions in the industry. Maintenance and renovation work continue even when new building projects decline, so the job market for building inspectors is relatively stable.

The creation of new jobs for building inspectors is likely to grow in the long term, with increased emphasis on public safety, new hire building standards, and more government legislation and control.

Most building inspectors work for federal, state, or local authorities but there are some opportunities in most countries within the private sector. Some countries will have official approved inspection bodies. Home inspections or surveys for house buyers may be carried out by building inspectors or building surveyors.

Prospects for self employment may increase, but this largely depends on the possibility of arranging personal liability insurance cover.

For further information, please contact a relevant professional body such as the Association, Institute, or society of building control, building engineers, building officials, or home inspectors.