Construction inspectors monitor the construction, maintenance and safety of new and existing buildings, bridges, highways and other industrial structures to ensure that specifications and building codes are observed. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal government departments and agencies, and by architectural and engineering firms. A small number are self-employed.
In this job, you examine and approve plans, drawings and site layouts for new buildings or for renovations. You inspect buildings and other structures to ensure that they comply with government building codes. You inspect houses that require renovation or an upgrading of their electrical, water or sewer services, identify and estimate the cost of the work and prepare a report. You may also survey buildings such as rooming houses, apartments, hotels and community facilities to identify structural defects and fire hazards. Finally, you may train, direct and supervise other construction inspectors.
If you work for a government or and agency, you inspect construction sites and existing buildings to ensure that they comply with construction and safety standards. If you work for a private company, you protect the interests of your employer and ensure that all the planning related to construction is satisfactory. If you work for a potential buyer, you inspect buildings to find out if they need repairs and whether or not they are a good investment.
Most construction inspectors are generalists, but you can specialize in areas such as plumbing, electrical systems or roofing. As a generalist, you still have to know enough about special areas to recognize a problem and call on a specialist to sort it out.
Most construction inspectors rely on visual inspections, but those that work for architectural or engineering firms have also to measure the structure precisely to ensure that it conforms to plans.
As a construction inspector, you are usually a member of a union and are likely to be paid a salary. You need experience as a construction inspector before you can become manager of a construction operation.
This job will appeal to you if you like meeting other people and enjoy technical work, especially anything involved with construction. You will do well if you are diplomatic and able to persuade people to comply with building codes with resorting to legal measures. You need to be patient and remain calm when people act in unreasonable ways.
The work can be physically demanding. you may have to climb ladders and balance on narrow or slippery surfaces. You also need the agility to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl when inspecting buildings, tunnels or excavations.
There are often in-house training programs and many government employers offer incentives to their inspectors to upgrade their skills and knowledge