Construction Site Inspections: A Guide for Contractors & Owners

Construction site inspections are critical to ensuring that quality and safety procedures are followed correctly from the start. Construction projects involve coordinating multiple project team members, materials and equipment, which may expose contractors to many potential risks and hazards. In order to successfully run a construction site through the entire lifecycle of the project, routine construction site inspections are necessary.

Types of Inspections

Progress Inspections

A construction site inspection checklist is essential in the planning phase of a construction project as it ascertains compliance with project requirements. Once the project has broken ground, progress inspections become part of the job site’s daily routine to guarantee these requirements are met. 

Depending on the project size, progress inspections are conducted by one or more individuals across several trades. If a specific aspect of the project requires additional input, specialist inspectors may be brought in to perform inspections on things like the environmental policy, waste management plan and accessibility.

Quality Inspections

Quality control inspections ensure the finished construction work meets the quality standards set in place. Quality inspections also make sure that the project complies with all the specifications and quality requirements listed in the contract documents. Quality inspections include regular site walkthroughs, and they typically result in a monthly quality report that identifies issues and monitors progress.

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Building Regulation Compliance Inspections

By carrying out building regulation inspections, builders ensure that performed work is going to be approved by the local authority’s building control department or by an approved inspector. Depending on the details of the project, these building regulation inspections vary in number and frequency. 

These inspections most often occur during:

• Commencement
• Excavation, (before excavations are filled)
• Foundations (before they are covered up)
• Laying of damp proof courses
• Installation of new drains (before covering up)
• Construction of the primary structure
• Installation of insulation
• Roof construction
• Completion

Inspection Timing

Construction site inspections occur throughout a project, though the types of inspections and responsible agencies often differ.

Preconstruction

While most construction site inspections are conducted during the construction phase, they can begin in preconstruction. Preconstruction inspections survey the property condition and neighbouring areas before construction begins. Preconstruction site inspection checklists may consist of checks on planning permissions, conditions and obligations to ensure compliance with local authorities.

During The Project

As the term suggests, construction site inspections most often occur on the construction site. The project scope, budget and programme are the primary measures of quality during a construction project. 

Project Close Out

The final inspection and construction close out process consists of site walkthroughs verifying everything has been completed in accordance with the contract documents. Once confirmed, the building is ready for its intended use or occupancy. This means the snag list has been completed, and submittals, lien waivers, warranties, close out documentation, manuals and as-builts have been turned over to the owner and verified for completeness.

Site Inspection Checklist

This simple checklist covers many items commonly inspected, especially as the project approaches close out.

• Inspections of work progress compliance with plan and specifications
• Inspections of work quality and compliance standards and specifications
• Inspections of paints and coatings
• Field testing and materials sampling of soils, concrete and asphalt, etc.
• Review and completion of variation/s
• Inspections of materials delivered and used
• Performing semi-final and final inspections upon building completion
• Preparation of snag list/s and monitoring of completion works
• Handover inspection for smooth project close out

Learn how Procore enables contractors and owners to build inspection templates that are customisable to suit their specific project needs: See Project Inspections on Procore Support.

Inspection Software

Construction site inspection software can help improve your construction site inspection processes. Digital construction site safety inspection forms facilitate documentation, tracking and collaboration. With a construction site inspection app, your teams can build out, manage and maintain your company-wide inspection library. Standardisation also allows you to baseline your current processes, identify problems and improve your overall quality and safety programme.

Risk is part of every construction project. Construction site inspections help mitigate some of that risk by providing a process that allows teams to deal with human error and unforeseen changes that occur throughout the project. Having a refined checklist for construction site inspections will help drive successful completion of the project and provide visibility into areas for improvement -- enabling teams to stay ahead of safety issues and leave risk behind.

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