For anyone seeking a new challenge in the construction industry, becoming a building inspector could be the perfect next career step. Also called building surveyors or building control officers, these highly skilled specialists know all about building rules and regulations, and are responsible for ensuring that a building or construction project adheres to them. They do this primarily through site visits and inspections to check that works are progressing safely, accurately and according to stringent construction sector specifications.
Who do building inspectors work for?
The range of clients for whom a building inspector can work is wide. Domestic and commercial projects all need their services, from a private home extension to a full-scale commercial building site. Building inspectors can be hired by private firms and local councils. The former will usually allow more flexibility in how and when they need inspections to be conducted, while local government can be more restricted by timescales and budgets. It can take longer for a local authority building inspection to take place than a private one, again due to budget and time availability.
Building inspectors must ensure that designs, plans and construction methods all adhere to the regulations, especially around health and safety. Some things do not fall under their remit, such as light switches, power points, routine maintenance work and non-habitable buildings.
What do building inspectors do?
Working as a building inspector offers a varied and interesting routine with no two days being exactly the same. It combines site visits with office work, reports and research. Building inspectors work closely with other construction industry specialists, including architects, builders, site managers and property developers. Their role is to ensure safe construction, make recommendations to improve cost-efficiency and help make construction more sustainable and environmentally-friendly in the longer term.
A key aspect of the role is conducting site inspections. This involves a fair amount of travel and dealing with different people on arrival. Site visits require meticulous observation skills and attention to detail. Every stage of the building process must be assessed and reported back on. The evidence collected can inform wide-reaching decisions and approvals – or condemnations – of work carried out to date. A lot of factors must be taken into account at each stage. Therefore, training is extensive, starting with a standard construction qualification such as an HND or similar, with additional studies into specialist areas of building regulations, construction law and related processes.
After qualifying, a building inspector must work their way up the chain from a junior role to a fully qualified leading building inspector position. Becoming a member of a professional body or association can help with networking, skill sharing, building a CV and increasing confidence. Examples include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building Engineers (CABE).
What are the required skills for a building inspector?
Building inspectors must be able to retain a wide range of information around regulations, rules, statutes, health and safety best practices and more. So, an excellent working memory and ability to apply theory to practical examples of building site practice are key. Another skill is the ability to retain detailed written reports, evidence logs and report updates in as organised a way as possible.
Note-taking and people skills can help a building inspector collect the details they need for their inspection reports. Being able to take the initiative, think analytically and remain calm in a stressful situation can all be excellent character attributes for a skilled building inspector as well. Not to mention passion for the construction industry and the health and safety of all those involved in it.