A properly designed inspection checklist form can demonstrate due diligence in complying with regulations, manufacturer’s instructions, and workmanship standards. You can use it to set expectations for what needs to go right, and once completed it can serve as a record of what actually happened.
The trade contractor’s crew supervisor should use an inspection checklist to perform inspections on every job. If the trade has several phases of work on a home, prepare a separate inspection form for each one. In addition, the builder can use a copy of the same forms while performing quality reviews.
ISO 9000, the internationally recognized quality control standard, sets requirements necessary to assure conformance to specifications. The ISO 9000 approach not only assures that specifications are met but also confirms that all the elements of a reliable construction process are in place.
Jobsite Installation Record provides basic information about job location, start date, and the type of product or system that is to be installed.
Job Readiness questions verify there are no adverse conditions that impact quality and the job is suitable for work to begin. This should include availability of installation instructions and adequacy of work performed by previous trades, as well as building or environmental conditions that can affect quality.
Use of Materials should be documented. When materials affect quality, the inspection form should capture specific information on primary as well as secondary materials when they make a difference to the completed job.
Installation Inspection questions verify that product manufacturer’s specifications are followed and that workmanship meets expectations. Examine manufacturer’s installation instructions, NER product evaluation reports, codes, and regulations to identify key requirements that need to be followed for performance and durability. Supplement this with provisions for the needs of the following trades and your own expectations. Whenever inspection questions verify conformance to dimensional specifications, actual measurements should be recorded. Also verify the use of specific equipment or tools if they affect quality results.
Problems Found should be recorded, even if they are corrected. When the problem results in a deviation from specifications, note the deviation.
Job Complete sign-off should be done by the responsible craftsman after verifying satisfaction with workmanship and that the work is complete to specification. List any remaining repair items to be completed.
I encourage you to collaborate with your trade contractors and product manufacturers to prepare inspection checklists for each of your trades. The jobsite inspection checklist is an important element of a builder’s quality control system to help you build problem-free, durable homes
Inspecting Inspections of Inspections
Every home should have zero defects, judging by the number of inspections performed during the building process. Every trade contractor has multiple inspections by crew chiefs, builder staff, code officials, and the homebuyer. In total, there is more time spent inspecting and correcting than any other single construction activity.
Each inspection is justified by the defects it finds, but leaves enough undiscovered defects to justify the inspections that follow.
The first inspection assesses the quality of the craftsman’s work. Done right the first time, further inspection is unnecessary. The inspections that follow are not to inspect the craftsman’s work, but instead inspect the quality of previous inspections. Statistically, only one defect out of 1,000 should make it past four inspections when each inspection catches nine of ten latent defects.
Each trade is inspected more than four times. For example, think of the number of inspections performed just for wall framing. The first is an in-process inspection performed by the rough framing crew chief as each wall is built. As a phase is completed, the crew chief performs a second inspection to make adjustments, correct details and to add studs where necessary.
After the mechanical rough-ins, a series of frame checks are performed. The framing contractor’s inspector marks defects left by the rough framing crew and new ones created by the plumbing and HVAC trades. After those defects are corrected, the job is inspected by the builder’s superintendent. Again the frame is marked, punched out, and rechecked. Still Then another frame check is performed by a code official to catch anything that might have gotten by. Five inspections so far and counting.
After drywall and paint, the builder’s superintendent inspects for cosmetic framing defects, such as bowed studs, that are telegraphed through the drywall. When all is in order, the construction manager walks the house to be sure it is ready for closing. The eighth inspection is made by the home buyer during the closing walk through.
Wall-framing inspections are only a fraction of the total number that are performed on a home before its completion. Because we are compelled to inspect our inspections, cumulative inspection costs are high. Add the cost for correcting defects and the total price to assure quality may rival the craftsman’s pay to do the job itself!
Dollars spent on inspection and correction must be redirected to a more cost-effective quality control strategy. The ISO9000 quality control approach can help provide some answers. First ISO9000 helps to eliminate these defects by changing the focus to do the job right the first time, reducing dependency on inspection. When inspections are necessary, ISO9000 provides a thorough approach so redundant inspections can be eliminated.
To provide builders and trade contractors with tools to apply ISO9000 on the jobsite, the ISO9000 Builder Quality Alliance has started developing Quality Plans for specific trades. A free ISO 9000 Builder Quality Alliance "Quality Plan" is available from the NAHB Research Center.
The trade contractor’s crew supervisor should use an inspection checklist to perform inspections on every job. If the trade has several phases of work on a home, prepare a separate inspection form for each one. In addition, the builder can use a copy of the same forms while performing quality reviews.
ISO 9000, the internationally recognized quality control standard, sets requirements necessary to assure conformance to specifications. The ISO 9000 approach not only assures that specifications are met but also confirms that all the elements of a reliable construction process are in place.
Jobsite Installation Record provides basic information about job location, start date, and the type of product or system that is to be installed.
Job Readiness questions verify there are no adverse conditions that impact quality and the job is suitable for work to begin. This should include availability of installation instructions and adequacy of work performed by previous trades, as well as building or environmental conditions that can affect quality.
Use of Materials should be documented. When materials affect quality, the inspection form should capture specific information on primary as well as secondary materials when they make a difference to the completed job.
Installation Inspection questions verify that product manufacturer’s specifications are followed and that workmanship meets expectations. Examine manufacturer’s installation instructions, NER product evaluation reports, codes, and regulations to identify key requirements that need to be followed for performance and durability. Supplement this with provisions for the needs of the following trades and your own expectations. Whenever inspection questions verify conformance to dimensional specifications, actual measurements should be recorded. Also verify the use of specific equipment or tools if they affect quality results.
Problems Found should be recorded, even if they are corrected. When the problem results in a deviation from specifications, note the deviation.
Job Complete sign-off should be done by the responsible craftsman after verifying satisfaction with workmanship and that the work is complete to specification. List any remaining repair items to be completed.
I encourage you to collaborate with your trade contractors and product manufacturers to prepare inspection checklists for each of your trades. The jobsite inspection checklist is an important element of a builder’s quality control system to help you build problem-free, durable homes
Inspecting Inspections of Inspections
Every home should have zero defects, judging by the number of inspections performed during the building process. Every trade contractor has multiple inspections by crew chiefs, builder staff, code officials, and the homebuyer. In total, there is more time spent inspecting and correcting than any other single construction activity.
Each inspection is justified by the defects it finds, but leaves enough undiscovered defects to justify the inspections that follow.
The first inspection assesses the quality of the craftsman’s work. Done right the first time, further inspection is unnecessary. The inspections that follow are not to inspect the craftsman’s work, but instead inspect the quality of previous inspections. Statistically, only one defect out of 1,000 should make it past four inspections when each inspection catches nine of ten latent defects.
Each trade is inspected more than four times. For example, think of the number of inspections performed just for wall framing. The first is an in-process inspection performed by the rough framing crew chief as each wall is built. As a phase is completed, the crew chief performs a second inspection to make adjustments, correct details and to add studs where necessary.
After the mechanical rough-ins, a series of frame checks are performed. The framing contractor’s inspector marks defects left by the rough framing crew and new ones created by the plumbing and HVAC trades. After those defects are corrected, the job is inspected by the builder’s superintendent. Again the frame is marked, punched out, and rechecked. Still Then another frame check is performed by a code official to catch anything that might have gotten by. Five inspections so far and counting.
After drywall and paint, the builder’s superintendent inspects for cosmetic framing defects, such as bowed studs, that are telegraphed through the drywall. When all is in order, the construction manager walks the house to be sure it is ready for closing. The eighth inspection is made by the home buyer during the closing walk through.
Wall-framing inspections are only a fraction of the total number that are performed on a home before its completion. Because we are compelled to inspect our inspections, cumulative inspection costs are high. Add the cost for correcting defects and the total price to assure quality may rival the craftsman’s pay to do the job itself!
Dollars spent on inspection and correction must be redirected to a more cost-effective quality control strategy. The ISO9000 quality control approach can help provide some answers. First ISO9000 helps to eliminate these defects by changing the focus to do the job right the first time, reducing dependency on inspection. When inspections are necessary, ISO9000 provides a thorough approach so redundant inspections can be eliminated.
To provide builders and trade contractors with tools to apply ISO9000 on the jobsite, the ISO9000 Builder Quality Alliance has started developing Quality Plans for specific trades. A free ISO 9000 Builder Quality Alliance "Quality Plan" is available from the NAHB Research Center.
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