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When building your dream home, you want to ensure it meets the current safety standards. Enter the building inspector, a government employee who reviews plans and inspects sites to ensure compliance.

The career requires physical stamina and a bachelor’s degree in engineering or architecture. Those interested in the job can enrol in programs at community and junior colleges.

Job Duties

A building inspector ensures that new structures are built by local and federal regulations. Their duties include visiting construction sites, evaluating building integrity and identifying code violations. They also perform regular inspections to ensure structural safety measures are in place and work with construction professionals to resolve any issues. Depending on their job, these professionals may inspect office buildings, homes, dams, and bridges.

Governments typically employ these professionals, but they can also be found in private businesses or construction companies. They must possess excellent communication skills as they interact with construction professionals and the public to discuss findings from their inspections. A thorough understanding of building codes and ordinances is essential.

Depending on the size of the project, they might be required to visit a construction site several times throughout the building process. For example, they might make an initial inspection before a foundation is poured and then follow-up inspections every few weeks until the structure is completed and ready to be occupied. For commercial projects, they might inspect mechanical systems, electrical wiring, plumbing and other aspects of the building.

Other responsibilities of this position may involve reviewing blueprints, examining contracts, and ensuring that the project complies with zoning ordinances and contract specifications. They might also have to identify additional safety requirements in areas prone to natural disasters or bad weather.

Some building inspectors also must be able to climb ladders, enter confined spaces and navigate construction sites that often have varying terrain and conditions. They must always use appropriate safety precautions and adhere to strict personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.

A building inspector who carries out these tasks independently must be self-motivated. Still, those who work for government agencies or private companies will typically have more structured schedules and are expected to comply with the company’s policies. Both roles require considerable time management skills as they must complete multiple inspections quickly. The voluntary professional certifications that building inspectors can earn can help to advance their careers.

Education and Training Requirements

Building a dream home or commercial structure can be risky if construction crews don’t adhere to local and federal standards. To prevent such structural failures, government employees like building inspectors visit construction sites to check for violations and ensure that all construction meets standards before a project is considered complete. If a breach is discovered, these professionals are responsible for shutting down the building until proper measures are taken to correct the issue. They also write detailed reports and communicate with construction teams, employers, and clients.

Education and training requirements for aspiring building inspectors vary by state and industry. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement, and on-the-job training is critical to the learning process. Some vocational schools offer specific programs in building inspection technology that can provide a competitive edge for job seekers. Other qualifications include being detail-oriented, having mechanical knowledge and having physical stamina.

Some aspiring inspectors pursue a bachelor’s degree in construction management or construction economics for a more well-rounded educational experience and broader employment opportunities. A bachelor’s degree program is typically longer and more expensive than a certificate or associate degree program.

Vocational schools or trade schools are another option for aspiring building inspectors who prefer to learn in an in-person setting and want the opportunity to ask questions while taking classes. Many of these schools also have flexible course schedules that allow students to take one class at a time or work towards their diplomas part-time.

Aspiring building inspector can also take courses and workshops from professional associations. These courses are usually short and cover topics such as safety regulations, inspection techniques and best practices for different types of structures. These courses can also be used as continuing education credits to maintain professional certification.

In addition to coursework, aspiring inspectors can gain valuable hands-on experience by joining a mentoring program with experienced building inspectors. These programs allow participants to follow their mentors on inspection rounds and observe how they conduct structural inspections. They can also learn to use various tools and test equipment, including meters, moisture detectors, cameras, and other measuring devices.