Who is a building inspector and what do they do? The building inspector monitors and controls technological procedures and technical parameters of building process. He/she checks if the building is being built in accordance with the project documentation and conditions defined in the planning permission and in such a way that the safety and health of all workers is not endangered. He/she watches to see if during the building process, environmental and public interests are threatened. Building inspectors can be employed in engineering companies, state administration, but may also be self-employed.
What are the activities of the job? Monitors the progress of a building project; monitors the quality and extent of the work done and if completed activities and work are in harmony with approved project documentation, planning permission, technical norms and contracts; maintains contact throughout with foremen/women from companies and their sub-contractors who are doing the building; negotiation and consultation with other partner institutions involved in construction; writing records into a building diary about the progress achieved.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Indoors and outdoors – the conditions can be damp, cold, hot, dusty and the weather can be changeable. A building inspector often has to move around on uneven terrain and at heights. The working site may change in a single day.
What tools/equipment do they use? Car, office equipment, telephone, mobile telephone, calculator, PC, planning calendar, diary and various measuring devices – yardsticks, tapes, spirit- and water-levels.
What do you need to succeed? You need secondary vocational or higher education in construction. Sometimes a special examination organised by the chamber of building inspectors may also be required.