Construction and Building Inspectors

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-4011
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
• Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
• Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
• 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.
• Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
• Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
• 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.
• Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.
• Train, direct, or supervise other construction inspectors.
• Monitor construction activities to ensure that environmental regulations are not violated.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word, Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management, SAP software, 10-key calculators, Adjustable widemouth pliers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Aviation Inspectors
• Solar Energy Installation Managers
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Construction and Building Inspectors — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.