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Building site inspector

Alternative titles for this job include Clerk of works, construction inspector, building site supervisor

Building site inspectors check the quality and safety of construction work.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Building site inspector

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • building studies
  • construction
  • civil engineering
  • surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

Once you have some construction experience, you could complete a college course to help you progress to site supervisor and inspector roles.

Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Construction Site Supervisory Studies
  • Level 4 Diploma in Construction Site Supervision
  • Level 4 Certificate or Diploma in Construction Site Management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships relevant to this role include:

  • construction site supervisor higher apprenticeship
  • construction site engineering technician higher apprenticeship
  • construction site management degree apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could work as a site tradesperson, building technician or surveying assistant and move up to become a site inspector through on-the-job training.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a building site inspector. To do this, you'll need several years' construction experience. Qualifications in health and safety will also be useful.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate. They offer professional development and technical advice to people working in the building industry.

Further information

You'll find more advice on how to become a building site inspector from Go Construct.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you will:

  • inspect construction sites
  • check that work is following building regulations
  • make sure that work is following project plans
  • measure and sample building materials to check their quality
  • find defects and recommend ways to fix them
  • monitor work progress
  • write reports for construction managers and clients

Working environment

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into site management, building surveying, civil engineering or construction management.

You could also set up your own site inspection business and work as a consultant, or move into training.

You may need to become a member of the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI).

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Site Supervisor

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Redhill, Surrey

Apprentice Site Supervisor

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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