Responsibilities of the Inspector

The inspector, whether employed by the design professional or the University, shall: 

  1. Become thoroughly familiar with contract document requirements, applicable codes and standards, approved submittals, and all instructions or clarifications issued by the design professional.

  2. Generally act as liaison between the contractor and the design professional.

  3. Keep a log of written communications including submittals received from or issued to the contractor.

  4. As appropriate to the nature and extent of construction, monitor the quality and quantity of the work and promptly report to the design professional nonconforming work or nonconforming work performance.

  5. Prepare a daily report recording:
    • Inspector's time and activities on the project.
    • Weather conditions.
    • Nature and location of work being performed and by whom.
    • Number of workers by trade.
    • Oral instructions and interpretations given by the design professional.
    • Specific observations on results of oral instructions and interpretations.
    • Any occurrence or work which might result in a claim for a change in the contract sum or contract time.
    • Names of visitors, their titles, and the time and purpose of their visit.
    • This report shall be prepared for each normal work day or for each day on which the contractor performs work, and a copy shall be promptly sent to the design professional and the University.

  6. Observe testing and inspection done by the contractor as required in the contract documents and coordinate and observe special testing and inspection when requested by the design professional or University.

  7. Monitor the contractor's proposed schedule and the actual construction schedule and promptly report to the design professional discrepancies between the schedules and any conditions which may cause construction delays.

  8. Periodically photograph the work, paying special attention to portions of the work that have been or may be rejected or may be associated with a claim or delay.

  9. Review in detail the contractor's Application for Payment and report the findings of this review to the design professional.

The inspector shall not:

  1. Authorize deviations from the contract documents.

  2. Approve substitute materials or equipment.

  3. Advise on or issue directions concerning aspects of construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures in connection with the work.

Pros and Cons of Inspection Responsibility Combinations

COMBINATION 1
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Design professional

Contract Administration:
Design professional

Inspection:
Design professional

    Employees or inspection agency
No divided responsibility of inspection.

No third-party relationship if design professional uses inspection agency.

 Design professional is inspecting own design work.

Inspector may be unfamiliar with University procedures or project.

Design professional is usually not staffed to perform inspection and may need to hire outside personnel.
COMBINATION 2
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Design professional

Contract Administration:
Design professional

Inspection:
Facility

    Employees-design professional directs inspectors
Most common situation.

Inspectors are familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.

Inspectors know Facility administrative requirements.

Regents prefer this method (Regents' Action Item of November 19, 1971).

 Peaks and valleys of construction volume present staffing problems.

Dual responsibility set up by another party directing Facility employees.

UC must provide inspector training and education.

Inspection oversights are assumed by UC.

Inspectors are more subject to influence of Facility management and client/user.
COMBINATION 3
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Design professional

Contract Administration:
Design professional

Inspection:
Facility

    Employees - Facility directs inspectors
Dual responsibility of another party directing Facility employees is averted.

Inspectors are familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.

Inspectors know Facility administrative requirements.

 Sets up conflict in contract administration between Facility project manager and design professional.

Peaks and valleys of construction volume present staffing problems.

UC must provide inspector training and education.

Inspection oversights are assumed by UC.

Inspectors are more subject to influence of Facility management and client/user.
COMBINATION 4
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Design professional

Contract Administration:
Facility

Inspection:
Facility

    Employees under direction of Facility project manager
No division of responsibility for contract administration and inspection.

Inspectors are familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.

Inspectors know Facility administrative requirements.

 No benefit of design professional's input.

Peaks and valleys of construction volume present staffing problems.

UC must provide inspector training and education.

Inspection oversights are assumed by UC.

Inspectors are more subject to influence of Facility management and client/user.
COMBINATION 5
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Facility

Contract Administration:
Facility

Inspection:
Facility

    Employees directed by project manager or University's Representative
No dual responsibility between design, contract administration, and inspection.

Inspectors are familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.

Inspectors know Facility administrative requirements.

 Peaks and valleys of construction volume present staffing problems.

UC must provide inspector training and education.

Inspection oversights are assumed by UC.

Inspectors are more subject to influence of Facility management and client/user.
COMBINATION 6
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Facility

Contract Administration:
Facility

Inspection:
Facility

    Inspection agency
No staffing problems during construction peaks and valleys.

Facility does not provide inspector training and education.

 No benefit of design professional's input.

Inspection oversights must be passed on to third party.

Inspectors are under direction of Facility but are paid by third party, thereby creating a division of "loyalty."

Possible dual responsibility exists between contract administration and inspection.

Quality of inspectors may vary.

Inspectors may not be familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.
COMBINATION 7
RESPONSIBILITIESPROSCONS
Design:
Project manager outside firm

Contract Administration:
Project manager outside firm

Inspection:
Project manager outside firm

 Complete responsibility with one firm. Special exception to University policy.

No benefit of design professional's input.

Inspection oversights must be passed on to third party.

Quality of inspectors may vary.

Inspectors may not be familiar with buildings, grounds, and personnel.