Most people who become building inspectors don’t do it for the applause. For the most part, the job is quiet, technical, and even thankless. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to stand out, because the consequences of doing well, or even poorly, ripple outward for decades.
And while you want every work you do to be based on security, trust, and long-term value, you also want to understand what it takes to grow in this field. Here’s what you should know about it:
What does the career progression look like?
One of the most important pieces of information you need to advance in this career is what the journey looks like. This allows you to track where you are on the map and find the best route to your desired destination. In most cases, advancing in this career will require you to find a balance between taking your Building Inspector Continuing Education (CE) course and gaining practical experience.
Here’s a closer look at what the journey looks like.
- Junior Building Inspector (0-2 years): At this level, you should try to learn as much as you can about site safety, code enforcement, and reading building plans. It is best to work under supervision so that you can receive guidance and support when needed.
- Building Inspector (2-5 years): Working as a building inspector means you will coordinate with contractors and architects, ensure code compliance, take responsibility for project inspections, and also work on your communication and problem-solving skills.
- Senior Construction Inspector (5-8 years): If you reach this level, you will be responsible for leading complex inspections, handling quality assurance and risk management tasks, and supervising junior inspectors. Expect to manage multiple projects at once.
- Senior or Senior Building Inspector (ages 8+): Advancing to this level is a major achievement in your career. However, it comes with more demanding tasks such as designing inspection program strategies, promoting organizational compliance with updated safety regulations, and creating policies. This title allows you to easily transition into different roles, such as: B. Quality control or construction manager.
Depending on your interests and external factors such as demand, you can also focus much more on specializations and lateral moves. A good example of this is conducting inspections that focus on plumbing, electrical, construction, or environmental areas. This allows you to move into areas such as code enforcement, plan review, or advisory roles at any time.
Quick Tips for Continuous Growth
It’s easy to make progress in the field of building inspection as long as you make a conscious effort. Here are some tips to help you.
1. Invest in continuing education (CE)
While continuing education isn’t always fun or easy to complete, especially with a busy schedule, it goes a long way toward helping you learn more about the latest building codes and inspection techniques. In addition to state-required CE courses, you should also complete certifications from reputable organizations such as the International Code Council (ICC) to increase your chances of qualifying for advanced positions.
2. Seek mentorship
Your textbooks and courses will certainly provide valuable knowledge and best practices, but none of them will ever match the practical skills and career advice you can get from established building inspectors. So make sure you have mentors to help you overcome challenges and open doors within the industry.
3. Network as much as possible
This is one of the industries where your network really determines your worth. So make sure you connect with industry experts by attending conferences and joining associations like the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors or the ICC. Through such groups, you gain even greater access to top conferences, specialized workforce, and high-quality job leads that will significantly optimize your career path.
4. Specialize
This tip isn’t mentioned enough, but it works great if you want to get ahead in this industry. Focusing on niche areas like code enforcement or commercial property inspection will give you the power you need to stand out from the competition. By specializing, you can easily handle more complex tasks and position yourself as an expert in the most sought-after areas.
Join the winning team today
Training to become a building inspector offers you amazing job stability in an industry that is constantly in demand. However, you are the one who decides what your trajectory should be. By investing in inputs that help you grow, you can benefit from even greater demand and a more rewarding market.
So what will it be? Will you go to rocketcert.com today as a first step to expanding your knowledge, or will you hold off until the competition is uncomfortably high?
