Anyone who wants to become a building inspector should know that a high school diploma or GED is the basic educational requirement for employment. In addition, many employers require applicants to have several years of experience working in the field. For the most part, an educational background will compensate for a lack of direct experience. If schooling beyond high school is required for a job, employers will usually look for applicants who have an associate's degree in a technical field that is related to construction.
You may need to be familiar with construction codes, ordinances, policies, and laws in your area, if you want to become a building inspector. If you are not already familiar with these, you can likely find some courses to take at a local community college. In the majority of these positions, you will need to be able to read and interpret blueprints. You should also have some knowledge of the practices that are normally used in the construction industry. This will help you to be able to do a thorough job at the various sites that you will be inspecting.
In some situations, you may be required to have certain certifications. When these are a requirement, there are employers who may be willing to train you on the job, or send you to school for the training that is necessary. In order to become a building inspector, you may need to have a valid driver's license so that you can travel between job sites.
Candidates who want to become a building inspector generally have to be well versed in a wide area of construction disciplines. This means you need to be able to examine plumbing, electricity, and some machinery, and accurately make a determination as to whether the work has been done satisfactorily. If you are familiar with engineering and general construction practices, it should go a long way toward helping you to be effective in this job.
To succeed in this field, you will need to have a keen eye for even the smallest details. You may also be asked to evaluate various aspects of construction on short notice, and possibly without having a lot of time for actual examination. If you function well under pressure, you may be the ideal type of person to become a building inspector. You should also have good communication skills, and be able to articulate your thoughts and findings succinctly both verbally and in writing.
