Inspector

An inspector verifies in the field what the plans examiner approved on paper. They visit at defined points in construction, check the work in front of them, and either approve the stage or fail it with a list of corrections.

Specialisation

Inspectors are usually certified by discipline, so a project is visited by different people for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections. Each signs off their own scope, and one discipline passing says nothing about another.

What they check against

The approved plans, the code, and the manufacturer's installation instructions for products with an approval on file. That last one surprises people: an installation that looks sound but departs from the manufacturer's instructions fails, because the product approval was granted on the basis of those instructions.

Making inspections go well

• Have the approved plans and the permit card on site
• Make the work genuinely accessible and visible
• Do not cover anything that has not been inspected
• Be present, or have someone present who can answer questions about the work
• If a condition differs from the plans, raise it rather than hoping it is missed

Failed inspections

Routine, not catastrophic. The inspector lists what must change, the work is corrected, and the inspection is called again. Repeated failures on the same item attract re-inspection fees and, eventually, closer attention to the rest of the job.