You should always look for building inspectors who are highly qualified, fully trained, properly insured, accredited and have extensive experience in the industry.

To find out if your Building Inspector is qualified, you first need to know if they are properly registered with the Building Commission. This registration ensures that the building inspector has achieved the required level of knowledge, qualifications and experience

What does a Building Inspector do?

Building Inspectors assist builders, contractors, and owners by ensuring that construction projects meet building regulations and codes of practice. They assess design documentation and make on-site inspections during building work, checking that proper methods and materials are used. Inspection results are reported to the building surveyor. Building Inspectors need to be effective communicators, with good conflict management skills.

Building Inspector Registration

There are two categories of Building Inspector registration: Building Inspector – Unlimited (IN-U) who are permitted to inspect all classes and components of buildings and varieties and types of construction; and Building Inspector – Limited (IN-L), who are permitted to only inspect certain classes of buildings. These classes are determined by the Building Practitioners Board during the assessment process.

Qualifications – Building Inspector – Unlimited

• Diploma in Building Inspection; AND
• two years of practical experience to the satisfaction of the Board

Qualifications – Building Inspector – Limited

• Diploma in Building Inspection; AND
• two years of practical experience to the satisfaction of the Board; OR
• certificate issued by the Board after examination of the applicant certifying that the applicant has adequate knowledge and experience to inspect the classes and types of buildings specified

Building Inspectors must demonstrate knowledge of the following:

• Building Act 1993, Building (Interim) Regulations 2005, Building Code of Australia 2005 and relevant Australian Standards
• building materials, methods and technology
• building inspection principles and the relationship between Building Surveyor, Building Inspector, Builder and the community
• building notices, building orders, on-site directions and emergency orders, as required by Part 8 of the Building Act 1993.

Building Inspectors need to demonstrate experience in:

• conducting building inspections at various stages of construction work
• modification and appeal process
• applying legislative requirements to a wide variety of construction projects
• issuing direction notices, building notices, building orders and emergency orders
• reporting to the building surveyor on construction matters.

Experience in inspection

To obtain registration as a Building Inspector, applicants are expected to have particular experience in all aspects of inspection and subsequent reporting. This includes foundations, footings, reinforcement for concrete (onground and suspended), steel and timber frames, drainage works, final inspection and owner builder inspection.

Alternative option for registration

If a building inspector can demonstrate the knowledge and skill required for registration as described in the Building Inspector Competencies sheet; and also has two years of practical experience to the satisfaction of the Board, then they may also be registered at the discretion of the Board.

So, the important thing therefore is that your building inspector is registered. This ensures that, regardless of the specifics of their education and qualifications, they have demonstrated to the Building Practioner’s Board that they have achieved a high enough level of training and experience to warrant formal registration as a Building Inspector.