Routinely inspecting a construction site is important for managing any construction project from start to finish. By regularly checking on the progress and condition of the site, quality assurance and construction site managers can avoid potential problems, like accidents or poor equipment placement, and ensure that the team has a safe work environment.
As construction audit inspectors, it is essential that they are extremely thorough in their work. Every choice made can have a significant effect on the success of the job, compliance with safety standards, and maintaining high professional standards. Therefore, promptness and accuracy in data submission are key skills for this role.
Construction projects often go over time and budget because of unanticipated obstacles. As a project manager, it is your job to make sure the site runs safely, on time, and without going over budget. However, research shows that this does not happen as frequently as one would hope – in fact 98% of building projects end up costing more than expected and 77% are significantly delayed.
Common challenges for construction site inspections
Some of the common challenges faced by site inspectors include; ensuring that all safety protocols are met, tracking project progress and changes accurately, maintaining accurate documentation, avoiding conflicts between contractors, monitoring quality assurance and control processes effectively, staying up to date on legal regulations, and providing timely feedback on construction projects.
To overcome these issues, it is important for inspectors to stay organized and use established procedures. They should also keep up with the latest technology trends so they can make use of tools that can help them better manage their tasks. Furthermore, inspections should be considered a continuous process throughout construction – this will help ensure that potential problems are identified quickly and addressed before they cause significant delays or cost overruns.
This article will provide some helpful pointers for conducting a successful site inspection, as well as some immediate actions to improve the quality and effectiveness of construction project management. Read on below:
What does a construction site inspection typically involve?
Progress inspections
A construction site inspection checklist is key during the planning of a construction project to make sure that all requirements are understood and will be met. Once work on the project has begun, progress inspections become part of the daily routine at the job site to ensure these requirements continue to be satisfied.
Depending on the project’s size, progress inspections may be conducted by one individual or a group across several trades. If a specific aspect of the project requires extra assessment, specialist inspectors (e.g., for environmental policy, waste management plan, accessibility) may be brought onto the team.
Quality inspections
Quality control, or quality assurance inspections are important because they guarantee that the final product matches the quality standards set in place. These inspections also make sure that every element listed in the contract documents is accounted for and up to standard. Quality inspections include regular site walkthroughs and typically result in a monthly quality report which identifies issues and progress made.
Regulation and compliance inspections
By conducting building regulation inspections, builders guarantee that the work completed will be accepted by the local authority’s building control department or an approved inspector. Depending on the specifics of the project, these building regulation inspections differ in number and frequency.
These inspections can often occur during:
- Project commencement
- Excavation
- Foundations
- Laying of damp proof courses
- Installation of new drains
- Construction of the primary structure
- Installation of insulation
- Roof construction, weatherproofing and window installation
- Completion and handover
When does a construction site inspection usually occur?
Pre-construction
Although the majority of construction site inspections happen while the building is already underway, they can technically start before a single brick has been laid. By surveying and assessing the property condition and neighboring areas, pre-construction inspections give teams a birds-eye view of what needs to be done to comply with local regulations.
During the project
Construction site inspections are, as the name would indicate, completed on-site. The quality of a construction project is most often measured by its scope, budget and schedule.
Project closeout and handover
The final inspection process before a build is complete verifies that everything has been finished in line with the contract. This means that the punch list is done, submittals and documentation have been given to the owner, and as-builts have been verified.
What involved in a construction site inspection?
Any standard checklist for a construction site inspection may include:
- 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 change order/s
- Inspections of materials delivered and used
- Performing semi-final and final inspections upon building completion
- Preparation of punch list/s and monitoring of completion works
- Handover inspection for smooth project close-out
Key ways to make construction site management more efficient
1. Invest in the right technology
Construction management and defect management technology can help speed up your construction site inspections and make them more efficient. For example, many companies now offer cutting-edge tool integrations with cameras that can survey large areas quickly, taking detailed images and videos of construction sites for inspection purposes. Additionally, investing in software programs to streamline data capture and analysis will ensure you’re making the most efficient use of your time.
2. Prepare ahead of time
Doing some preparation before an on-site inspection is a great way to reduce wasted time and effort during the actual visit. Research any regulations or safety standards that may be relevant to the project, so you have all the information you need ahead of time when conducting an inspection. Additionally, consider bringing a checklist so you can track the progress of each inspection and ensure nothing is missed.
3. Utilize remote inspections
Depending on the types of inspections you’re conducting, it may be possible to take advantage of remote inspections with digital tools such as virtual reality (VR) headsets, computer-aided design (CAD) software, laser scanners, and more. These allow you to inspect construction sites without being physically present, saving valuable time while still getting accurate data. Additionally, they’re useful for inspecting hazardous areas that would otherwise be unsafe or difficult to access in person.
4. Prioritize essential checks
Not all inspections are created equal, so it’s important to prioritize the essential checks first before moving on to less important tasks. This helps ensure that only the most critical issues are addressed, saving time and resources in the process. Additionally, consider delegating certain inspection tasks to other teams or specialists, as this can help speed up the process and make sure nothing is overlooked.
Conclusion
Regular construction site inspections are key to making sure that quality and safety procedures are being 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.
Construction projects always come with a certain level of risk. By conducting construction site inspections, site managers can help to manage that risk by identifying and addressing potential problems. A well-organized checklist will keep the project on track and help businesses and contractors alike identify areas where we can improve safety procedures. That way, construction companies can stay ahead of any issues and minimize the amount of risk involved in the project.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make the most of each inspection and ensure all safety regulations are properly met. Additionally, investing in the right technology and taking advantage of modern tools such as construction management software can help take your inspection efforts to the next level. With a bit of time and effort, it’s possible to make construction site inspections easy, efficient, and accurate.
Quality assurance and defect management software, such as PlanRadar, can help to accelerate and improve the accuracy of any construction project. Give it a try by signing up for a free demo today.
