Inspection
Building Inspection
A documented check of a building's structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life-safety systems to verify compliance with code and specifications.
What is a Building Inspection?
A building inspection is a comprehensive check of a building's physical and functional condition. It covers structural elements, mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and accessibility.
When Are Building Inspections Required?
- Pre-purchase (residential and commercial)
- Pre-listing
- Periodic condition surveys (often every 5 years for commercial)
- Post-incident (fire, flood, earthquake)
- Pre-renovation
Who Performs Them?
- Licensed home inspectors (residential)
- Structural engineers (commercial / structural issues)
- Building envelope consultants (facade, cladding)
- Fire safety inspectors (life safety)
- Code officials (regulatory)
What a Modern Building Inspection Includes
- Photo evidence of every finding, pinned to a floor plan
- AI-assisted defect detection
- Severity ratings
- Branded PDF report
- E-signature from inspector and client
- Optional: integration with warranty and FM systems
Related Terms
- Cladding Inspection
A documented check of a building's external envelope — including EIFS, stucco, brick veneer, curtain wall, and rainscreen systems — for defects, water ingress, and fire risk.
- Structural Inspection
An inspection of a building's load-bearing elements — foundations, framing, walls, beams, columns, and roof — to verify integrity and safety.
- Fire Safety Inspection
An inspection of a building's fire-protection systems — alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, exits, fire doors — to verify compliance with fire codes.
Looking for software that helps your team capture these inspections in the field? See our field inspection software or construction inspection software.