What Do Construction and Building Inspectors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Construction and Building Inspectors inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing. They also inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect facilities or installations to determine their environmental impact.
• Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
• Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
• Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
• Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.

We asked Construction and Building Inspectors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 67% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Construction and Building Inspectors maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs. They inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.

A typical day for a Construction and Building Inspector will also include:

• Inspect facilities or installations to determine their environmental impact.
• Conduct environmental hazard inspections to identify or quantify problems such as asbestos, poor air quality, water contamination, or other environmental hazards.
• Evaluate premises for cleanliness, such as proper garbage disposal or lack of vermin infestation.
• Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
• Evaluate project details to ensure adherence to environmental regulations.

We asked some Construction and Building Inspectors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Construction and Building Inspectors also conduct environmental hazard inspections to identify or quantify problems such as asbestos, poor air quality, water contamination, or other environmental hazards. They may also confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Construction and Building Inspectors Estimate cost of completed work or of needed renovations or upgrades. They might also Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.

In addition, they Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Approve building plans that meet required specifications.

To some Construction and Building Inspectors, it is also their responsibility to Examine lifting or conveying devices, such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, hoists, inclined railways, ski lifts, or amusement rides to ensure safety and proper functioning.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Construction and Building Inspector, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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