In 2023, members of the Aviation Services Group will monitor construction on 20 different airport projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Florida. This puts seven of our professionals out on construction sites at different times, in different places, inspecting different types of projects.

The work they do is often underestimated. It is fast-paced. The days are long. The seasons are, somehow, even longer. It’s also essential – making sure the work that’s done is safe for the public, in-line with the design, and sustainable for the client. Here are five reasons why you need exceptional construction inspectors watching your sites.

Seven members of our team on an airfield working as construction inspectors.

Top 5 Reasons

1. A good inspector provides insight into the plans and specifications when questions come up.

There is a hard line between the inspector and the contractor…an inspector does not direct the work nor the means and methods of how it is done. When an inspector is in the field, they are responsible for monitoring construction progress, and assuring materials and installation methods are done in close conformity with the design plans and specifications. They act as a liaison between the contractor, the owner, and the contract administrator. On any given day, an inspector may begin the morning by meeting with the contractor to go over the day’s activities, become aware of material deliveries, discuss safety concerns and agree on when their inspection services are needed and at what time.

2. Inspectors need to be prepared for long days and endurance.

On a typical day, the inspector may traverse the entirety of the site. Some projects cover dozens of acres of land and traversing the site can feel like going for a one-to-two-hour hike. Clients need inspectors who can plan for a varied day, bring their necessary supplies, and maintain communication lines.

3. Planning is essential.

Towards the end of the day on-site, an inspector will begin to think about tomorrow’s schedule and provide as much real-time feedback to the contractor as possible. The inspector often has to request that certain activities be rechecked before further progress can be made, and this begins a fluid process of scheduling, rescheduling, communication, and transparently sharing feedback.

4. A good planner is also good at pivoting.

While the construction inspector needs to be able to plan, they also have to be flexible when things change. Unusual events require an added level of communication and coordination. Some unexpected events that pop up for an airport construction inspector: inclement weather, aircraft incidents, contractor scheduling changes, site soil changes, and more.

5. Diligent note-taking and reporting is a must.

At the end of the day, the inspector returns to the field office to transfer their field notes to the computer, download photos, fill out daily reports, make calls on scheduling tomorrow’s activities, and typically check in with the airport to see if there are any concerns about the work.

The Key to Success

One of our construction inspectors on an airfield with a plane in the background.The key to success for an inspector is to provide timely feedback and input to the contractor with the mutual goal of completing the work safely, on time, and in a quality manner. Our inspectors become a part of an overall team on the construction site, and while the landscape of those teams often look different, the project’s success is always the unifying goal.

We offer seasoned construction engineering and inspection professionals with a project portfolio that includes all aspects of project administration, field observation, and technical services for airport projects (including runways, taxiways, airport aprons, and airport terminal facilities), roadways, bridges, utilities, universities, municipal facilities, parks, and parking garages. Our clients can be confident that our services will lead to successful and long-lasting projects.

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