If you think there’s no demand for building inspectors in the United States, think again. In 2019, over 120,000 jobs were created for building inspectors. That number is projected to increase by 4,000 in the next decade. To take advantage of this expected growth, you might want to consider learning about how you can become a building inspector.

Plenty of opportunities await aspiring building inspectors. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the government employs 42 percent of building inspectors. This is followed by private sector employment opportunities in the engineering and construction industries.

Read on to learn more about how you can make the most of the myriad opportunities available in this exciting field of work.

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A building inspector ensures that architects, engineers, real estate developers, sub-contractors, and even interior designers adhere to building code requirements in their respective states and localities. This includes standards that govern structures, plumbing, electrical systems, and mechanical elements.

Because of the number of structures that they inspect, building inspectors can specialize in several areas. Depending on what you examine, you can become a residential or commercial building inspector, permit technician, plumbing inspector, and even a fire inspector.

You could work on specific construction sites or a series of construction projects. You could also just inspect buildings on behalf of your local authority.

There isn’t a rigid set of education requirements that you’ll need to fulfill to become a building inspector. At the very least, you’ll need to have a high school diploma to qualify for the role alongside some industry-related work experience.

That said, pursuing further education and training can help you improve your knowledge of the field as well as your job prospects. Make sure that the track you take provides you with a working knowledge of how construction technology works.

It should also give you a reasonable grasp of construction materials, concrete principles, roofing technology, heating and cooling technology, plumbing, and electricity.

There’s a vast array of building inspection courses, degrees, and certifications that you can complete in-person, online, and even at your leisure to become a professional building inspector. The onus is therefore on you to make sure that the institution you attend is recognized by an authoritative body.

Vocational schools or trade schools are a great way to get industry-specific training in building inspection. Besides the strong emphasis on hands-on training, trade schools also offer a shorter program length of two years or less and a lower cost of attendance. Some trade schools also offer part-time programs that grant more room for flexibility.

The Diploma of Building and Construction is an outstanding example of a trade school course that can be completed while you work. The program lasts for 43 weeks but is offered on a part-time basis. It can also be taken online or in person.

A community college is a great option If you’re looking for a more rounded education. This can equip you with the skills you’ll need to become a building inspector while allowing you to explore other areas of knowledge. Most community college programs last two years, after which you’ll get a certificate or an associate degree.

An example of a qualification that you can secure at a community college is the Certificate Of Completion in Building Inspection (CCL). The CCL is a general qualification with a broader scope. It also provides a pathway to more comprehensive programs like the Associate In Applied Sciences (AAS) in Construction Management.

You can also consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree program in construction management or construction economics for more in-depth training and education. Both qualifications are most appropriate if you want to be involved in every aspect of a major construction project instead of just working on inspection.

Because a degree program covers more bases, it will also grant you more employment opportunities. Note, however, that a bachelor’s degree program costs higher and runs longer than the two options above.

You can also opt for a certificate from the many building inspection courses available online. While some of these courses lack live online engagement, they do give you more freedom to learn at your pace and convenience. What’s more, because these courses usually last a week or less, you can take as many as you want to improve your skills and knowledge.

The Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) is a great resource for building inspector courses that can be completed online. These include courses in ladder safety, commercial property inspection, and commercial inspection code of ethics.

While educational qualifications are important, you’ll need more than that to become a building inspector. Below is a list of the steps you’ll need to take to jumpstart a career in building inspection.

The most outstanding building inspectors have an eye for detail. This is especially important when the building under inspection is at a very early stage of deterioration. Sometimes, building developers actively conceal defects from inspectors.

You’ll therefore need to be thorough with your examinations. To accomplish this, you’ll need to be knowledgeable on all fronts. Below are several of the areas you’ll need to be proficient with to become a skilled building inspector.

Building inspectors can look forward to an average salary of $59,941, according to PayScale. This is higher than the average income in the United States across all occupations, which according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $48,516.

This figure may go up or down depending on the industry, state, or company that one works in. PayScale reports that top-earning building inspectors pocket as much as $98,000 per year while those at the bottom 10 percent earn as much as $38,000 per year.

There’s some expected employment growth in the industry within the next decade. Building inspector jobs are expected to grow by about three percent by 2029, according to BLS. That’s as fast as the average job growth across all occupations.

As an entry-level building inspector, your day-to-day tasks will focus on just that: inspection. To fulfill your duties, you’ll need to have a working knowledge of building inspection methods and best practices, safety requirements, and the use of standard testing equipment.

Codes will be your friend as you start your career. You must be proficient in interpreting and examining compliance with standard building codes, electrical codes, plumbing codes, mechanical codes, energy codes, and fire prevention codes.

After gaining experience, you can then look into earning other professional certifications to move up the ladder.

As a building inspector, you’ll likely adopt the same routine every time you are on site. After all, while building codes might vary by state, the core principles of inspection remain. On a typical day, you’ll find yourself performing the tasks below.

While professional certification is not a standard prerequisite to working as a building inspector, it has been increasingly required by most states in the United States. Note that some certifications will have to be renewed periodically by retraining or completing a set of courses.

Offered by the International Code Council (ICC), this certification requires 21 hours of training. It’s designed to give you a better grasp of general administration, water heaters, exhaust and ventilation systems, duct systems, combustion air, and fuel supply systems.

ICC members will need to pay $995 to take the program while non-members must cough up $1,195.

Also offered by the International Code Council, this certification requires the completion of 21 hours of coursework, usually covered within three days. Members will fork out $995 for this, while outsiders will pay $1,195.

Earning the certification means you’ve mastered several areas of residential building inspection. That includes code administration, building planning, footings and foundation, floor and wall construction, and special construction for residential properties.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) offers this certification. To earn the credential, you’ll need to complete six steps. First, you’ll need to pass the online inspector examination. Once you do, you’ll be required to join InterNACHI, complete two courses, draft mock inspection reports, and enroll.

After completing your training, it’s time to enter the job market. Before that, however, you’ll need to ace your job interview. Like any other job interview, you’ll most likely get a mix of questions that seek to assess your technical knowledge and soft skills.

For the former, expect to answer questions that test your knowledge of building codes, building materials, and design and construction. Any related work experience will also matter in your job interview. For the latter, be prepared to answer questions that ask about your time management, communication, and organizational skills.

The time it takes to become a building inspector will vary on the path you take to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. You will need some form of formal education to bolster your knowledge base.

A standard vocational program will take you about a year to complete. So, too, will a community college program. A degree program, meanwhile, will take you at least three years to complete.

If you are confident in the knowledge base that you have, you can sit a professional certification exam. That is not going to take you more than a day. Otherwise, you can take preparatory programs before you sit the exam.

Several of these are offered by institutions like the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) and the International Code Council. Some do not last longer than 21 hours of study.

It may be worth considering becoming a building inspector especially since construction activities are expected to increase in 2021. According to consulting firm Deloitte, the construction and engineering outlook for 2021 is positive. That is partly because the industry has found ways to adapt and absorb the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

Pair that up with the projected creation of thousands of building inspection jobs and a career in one becomes more appealing.