Building site inspector jobs

Building inspectors investigate a range of structures to evaluate their level of structural soundness and general safety. They make certain that structures adhere to all of the relevant local, state, and national laws, ordinances, and zoning requirements. In the case of new development projects, a building inspector, who is also referred to as a construction inspector at times, examines the blueprints to determine whether or not they conform to the required standards and then follows up at the construction site as the work progresses. In the case of structures that are already in existence, they may be contacted to carry out pre-sale inspections, to react to an emergency, or to handle any breaches of the building code. Inspectors of buildings make use of a wide variety of instruments in order to collect measurements, locate possible issues, and sample materials.

The vast majority of building inspectors are employed full-time, and their shifts are often scheduled throughout the week. There is a possibility that you may need to work some nights or weekends. The time spent by inspectors is divided between conducting on-site inspections of buildings and working in an office environment, where they write up the findings of their investigations and make any necessary recommendations. On the job, inspectors are provided with protective clothes and equipment to ensure their safety.

The building inspector's pay might be affected by factors such as the sector in which they work and their degree of expertise. In May of 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States of America reported that the median annual wage for all construction and building inspectors was $60,710.

Occupational Prerequisites for a Career as a Building Inspector

When you have made up your mind to pursue a job in this industry, you will need to be familiar with the steps required to become a building inspector. To become a building inspector, you will need to have earned your high school diploma; however, certain companies may give preference to those who have earned a degree in engineering, architecture, or building inspection technology. On-the-job training is often offered, however applicants typically need anything from one to five years of relevant experience in order to be considered for employment. In most of the states, obtaining a certification or license as a building inspector is obligatory. In addition, you need to have abilities in communication, complicated problem solving, time management, and critical thinking, coupled with attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and physical stamina. Lastly, you need to be able to maintain physical endurance.

The Process Involved in Acquiring One's Building Inspector Certification: Steps

If you want to get certified, there are a few things that you need to complete. If you are interested in learning how to become a certified building inspector, continue reading.

Step 1: Obtain a Degree and Begin Training to Become a Building Inspector

Even though a high school certificate or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is the very minimum education requirement for building inspectors, some businesses choose individuals who have completed postsecondary degree programs. Students who are thinking about getting a degree in building inspection should make sure that the curriculum or the subjects that are taught in building inspector courses include coursework in drafting, building inspection, construction technology, and home inspection. Individuals also have the option to pursue programs leading to a certificate or an associate degree in building inspection technology. Building regulations and ordinances, electrical inspection, materials of construction, and concrete concepts and inspection are frequently included in the coursework for these programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there has been a consistent rise in the number of building inspectors entering the workforce with a bachelor's degree. Inspectors who are interested in advancing their careers via more formal education may choose to pursue earning a bachelor's degree in either building construction or building science. Building inspectors may have a deeper understanding of electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the components that go into making up construction material, by enrolling in training programs that include courses such as building systems and materials science. A bachelor's degree may be accepted in place of relevant job experience in certain circumstances.

Gain an understanding of building methods and techniques while you are still in school. You should make the most of the opportunity to master these procedures in any course on building inspection that you take so that you may put these abilities to use in the real world. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who have expertise in a range of building skills and techniques will likely have the greatest work chances. Students have the option of enrolling in classes that have an emphasis on assessing and interpreting plans and blueprints so that they may get more acquainted with these abilities. Students also have the option of enrolling in classes in algebra, shop, or geometry.

Step 2: Gain Experience in the Construction Industry

The majority of firms that hire building inspectors place a high premium on candidates with previous experience. This is particularly true for those inspectors who do not possess any education beyond high school and are looking for work immediately after graduating from high school. Those who want to become building inspectors may get their footing in the industry and the necessary experience by beginning their careers in related trades such as plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work. Future building inspectors may acquire informed in numerous fields of expertise by working in a range of construction trades throughout their education and training.

Step 3: Obtain Training to Become a Building Inspector

The criteria for training might vary depending on the jurisdiction, state, or kind of inspector, but the vast majority of building inspectors get the bulk of their education on the job. In spite of the fact that aspiring building inspectors might anticipate receiving a range of training from an experienced inspector, it is possible that they will be required to educate themselves independently on construction standards and regulations. Training in areas such as inspection methods, recordkeeping, contract requirements, local regulations, and reporting are some of the topics that an employee might anticipate receiving while working. In addition to that, this training could consist of supervised site visits.

Make sure you have a driver's license. It is anticipated of building inspectors that they would supply their own transportation to and from inspection locations. Because of this, we insist that they have a driver's license that is still in good standing.

Step 4: Obtain Your Certification or License to Work as a Building Inspector

A license or some other kind of qualification is necessary to work as an inspector in several states. The requirements for obtaining a certificate as a construction and building inspector vary from state to state, but typically consist of the following: meeting the state's minimum educational requirements; having inspection experience; passing a state-approved examination; and having liability insurance. There are some states that administer their own tests, while others could be willing to accept certification from professional organizations or groups like the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI).

You could wish to get a license to inspect buildings, but in addition to that, you might want to gain a few other certifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a building inspector who is qualified to carry out a range of inspections and is certified in their field is likely to have the best employment opportunities. It's possible that a building inspector's income might go up if they have a wide range of expertise. In most cases, smaller jurisdictions will seek to employ inspectors who have a broad knowledge base in a number of different specialties, as opposed to larger jurisdictions, which may favor hiring inspectors who have specialized knowledge in a single particular field, such as plumbing or electrical work.

Step 5: Ensure that Your Certification or License as a Building Inspector Is Current

It varies from organization to organization and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction how long a person has before they must renew a license or certification that they previously obtained. For example, in order to maintain certification as a Commercial Building Inspector or Residential Mechanical Inspector through the ICC, one must typically fulfill the requirements for continuing education once every three years. On the other hand, in order to maintain the Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI) designation offered by the NAHI, one must earn 16 continuing education units each year.