Behind all the steel beams, wires and building systems of a construction project is a long list of compliance requirements involving quality control, building codes, safety regulations and local ordinances. Proper construction inspection software tools help ensure that these and many other requirements are being met throughout the build, aiding you in a smooth and successful project handover down the line.
There’s certainly a lot to account for, with everything requiring timely and thorough documentation. To streamline this process and mitigate risks, more and more construction companies are replacing paper-based and computer spreadsheet-based systems with construction inspection software. Do you need it, too? Here are some benefits to consider.Â
Customize and standardize online forms
How many of your large-scale projects are exactly alike? Even among very similar ones, you know there will always be variations in materials, site hazards, environmental conditions, end use, building systems requirements, and so on. And that means compliance requirements won’t be exactly the same either. One general inspection template can’t possibly account for the unique regulations across all projects; too many things are at risk of being missed. Customization capabilities found in inspection software let you build the forms specific to each project so only the details you need to monitor are included.
Over the course of especially long projects, you may learn of changes in regulations that you now have to track in your inspections going forward. No problem. You can update your forms easily to accommodate those changes so you can ensure you’re in compliance.
What about equipment used across multiple builds? Or mirror projects such as freestanding chain restaurants and stores in which their respective specs are repeatable across all builds? Does construction inspection software still have value and relevance in those instances? Absolutely. You can create libraries of standardized forms for each type of project — for equipment, building systems, templatized buildings, and more. This will ensure consistency across each of the respective inspection processes.
Use a mobile app for real-time data capture, quicker walkthroughs and timely decision-making
Think of the time and effort it took to do inspections on past projects, especially the more sizable ones. Carrying reports to the office, transcribing handwritten notes, re-entering data from a paper form into a spreadsheet; these are tasks no one wants to have to do.Â
With the right software, you can now capture photos, record videos, fill out a customized or standardized inspection form and type out notes — or voice record them. It all can be done through special construction inspection software mobile apps. When the forms you create are accessible on smartphones and tablets, those inspection processes become even simpler and more thorough, and walkthroughs are done more efficiently.
This mobile access highlights just how important time is during the inspection process. Not just documenting structural and site data in real time but having the opportunity to immediately make any necessary decisions about corrective next steps. And that can have a positive effect in keeping the project on track.
Catch errors early to help avoid violations
The main point of inspections is to ensure nothing compromises the safety and integrity of a structure and its surroundings. Not detecting a small but critical problem early on could lead to violations resulting in fines, costly rework or even injuries.Â
Earlier we mentioned that construction inspection software can help you build forms. Why not develop them for your own walkthroughs to ensure you’re meeting requirements for quality control, building codes, safety, environmental conditions and ordinances? With such an ability, you can proactively check for anything that might be flagged — so you can address it ahead of any scheduled or unannounced third-party inspections. The benefit of using inspection software in this way is that it can help add a degree of certainty that your project is meeting all various compliance regulations it’s subject to.
Head off future repair and maintenance issues
Have you ever been called back to previous projects to fix what should have been preventable mistakes? Were post-build maintenance costs ever high? Do you want to show your project owner that all project systems are optimized and therefore easier to manage once things are handed off?
These instances are prime examples in which inspection software can act as a risk-management tool. Identifying construction, design or installation flaws early means there may be less unnecessary and costly repairs after the project is closed out and the owner has assumed control. This reduced risk of post-build inefficiencies can even help preserve your ROI.
Ready to give construction inspection software a try?
Especially if you’re primarily focused on substantial infrastructure or commercial projects, adopting construction inspection software can make a complex process much more efficient with less chance of anything falling through the cracks — and adversely affecting your project’s success. InEight Compliance is a comprehensive solution for you to consider that collects the written and visual data when, where and how you need it so you can keep your project moving along smoothly. We’d like to invite you to participate in an InEight demo so you can see the ways it can help ensure you meet all your compliance obligations.
