Tell me about a time when you identified an issue during an inspection. How did you document and report it?

Construction Inspector Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

Once during an inspection, I noticed that the cement used for a particular job wasn't up to code after it had been laid down in a new foundation. It was a bit tricky as the work had already been completed, and the materials used weren't going to be easy to replace at that stage. I made a note of it in my report along with photos and informed my immediate supervisor about the issue.

A more solid answer

In one of my previous construction inspections, I noticed an anomaly while inspecting the foundation of a building. The cement's texture and color looked off, so I decided to run a few field tests using a Schmidt hammer which is a surface hardness tester that provides estimates of strength. The results were below what's specified in the building codes. The work had already been done, making it a bit challenging as the cement had already hardened. I knew it was crucial to address this right away because having a weak foundation could pose future structural issues and dangers. I carefully documented my findings, including the process of how I identified the issue and the field test results. I even took pictures to provide visual proof. After that, I immediately created a concise but detailed report and shared it with my supervisor and the project manager. We then set up a meeting with the construction team to discuss a way forward.

Why this is a more solid answer:

This answer is more comprehensive and reveals a thorough understanding of the construction materials and inspection tools. It also displays problem-solving skills by running an immediate field test when the issue was spotted. However, this answer can be further improved by extending the story to involve the remediation process and showing how the candidate worked with the team to resolve the problem.

An exceptional answer

During one of my routine inspections for a commercial building project, I noticed the cement mix's settings that were used for the foundation were not consistent with the color and texture I was accustomed to. I recalled my training about different cement types and immediately suspected it was not up to the required code. I took out my Schmidt hammer, a handy tool that allows an inspector like me to estimate the strength of hardened concrete. As expected, the measurement read lower than required value, meaning the cement didn’t meet the strength specifications. Knowing the vast implications of this defect, I meticulously documented every piece of my discovery process, including images of the cement, the test process and results from the Schmidt hammer. I quickly assembled a report, highlighting my concerns and my method of uncovering them. Taking responsibility to mitigate the situation, I shared my findings immediately with my supervisor, the project manager, and the contractor explaining the severity of the issue. Given the importance of safety and compliance, we couldn't ignore this. We convened a meeting to devise an action plan, where I was able to contribute ideas based on my understanding of the building codes and past experience. It was a tough situation to be in, but I was thankful that I caught it early, and was able to work with my team to find an efficient solution.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

This exceptional answer not only demonstrates the candidate's observational and analytical skills, but also their ability to take appropriate action steps in response to identifying an issue. The candidate paints a vivid story by detailing how they spotted the problem, how they confirmed it using specific tools, and how they documented and reported it. They also show their proactive solutions-oriented approach by discussing the role they played in devising an action plan, demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving skills.

How to prepare for this question

Review the building codes and specifications relevant to your work. This will help you confidently identify and articulate any issues during inspections.
Highlight your ability to use specialist tools for testing and inspecting. Specific examples of when you've used such tools will provide more weight to your answers.
Be prepared to discuss how you handle situations when things go wrong. This could include how you document and report any issues, and what steps you take to resolve them.
You might not have been directly involved in the resolution process, but you can discuss the importance of team communication and collaboration in these scenarios. Show that you understand your responsibility as part of a team.

What interviewers are evaluating

Observational and analytical skills
Understanding of construction tools and equipment
Understanding of construction methods and building codes
Documentation and reporting
Problem-solving skills