A construction inspection checklist is a clear and concise communication tool used for construction projects to ensure quality control at the construction site. It is more than just a few scribbled items on an envelope and can significantly impact a company's bottom line. Builders are adopting checklists as a method to enhance construction site quality control.
That’s a strategic move with big payoffs.
While every builder on the block promises “quality construction,” only a few builders truly deliver. The reason for this is because many builders rely on their project’s Construction Manager to decide what is acceptable and what isn’t. His or her opinion determines the brand’s level of quality. And, that can vary wildly from Construction Manager to Construction Manager. Truth be told, it can vary wildly from project to project too.
A construction checklist throughout the building schedule removes the Construction Manager's opinion. Checklists set the standard, and it becomes each Construction Manager’s job to ensure the Builder’s definition of quality is being met. Variation from Construction Manager to Construction Manager is eliminated, and the builder delivers a consistent level of quality on each project.
Construction checklists serve as an important communication tool not only for the Construction Team but also for other stakeholders involved in the construction project. These checklists convey the message that the builder is committed to complying with best practices and regulations for quality control and compliance. They also reinforce the notion that the builder is well-organized and has a structured approach to the construction process. Such a commitment to quality and organization fosters pride in the brand and instils confidence in company leadership among employees and other stakeholders.
The same can be said for the builder’s Trade Partners. Trades and subcontractors waste a lot of money doing the same work twice. Return trips to the jobsite eat heavily into narrow margins. Punch lists and call backs are unnecessary wastes of man power and resources. Installation and inspection checklists can purge all that waste and improve your inspection process. Installation checklists focus on the steps required to start, perform and complete a job right the first time. Inspection checklists are used by crew leaders and Construction Managers to avoid repeating errors and frequent punch list items.
Because checklists ensure first time quality is achieved with each phase completion in the building process, the subcontractor will arrive to cleaner, safer jobsites that are ready for their crews to begin work. Dry runs, unfortunately, are common in new construction—where the subcontractor arrives on the scheduled date only to find the jobsite is behind or otherwise not ready. Checklists ensure phase completion for the preceding trades as well as the ones who follow, virtually eliminating the dry run.
Ultimately, the improvements made using checklists will save the Trade Partner hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. And, strategically, this promotes subcontractor loyalty to the Builder.
Checklist usage not only benefits tradespeople but also contributes to customer loyalty. By using checklists, construction companies can standardize their building techniques, leading to projects with fewer errors, faster completion times, and fewer warranty hassles. Additionally, the use of checklists helps ensure safety and prevent hazards on the job site, which is essential for compliance with regulations and the safety of workers and inspectors.
Furthermore, checklists can help identify and include additional items for inspection, leading to a more comprehensive assessment of the construction site. These benefits ultimately increase customer satisfaction and brand value, as jobsites are cleaner, safer, and more presentable for buyer visits.
Another benefit for both the buyer and the construction workers and managers is a shorter, more efficient Final Walk-Through. Projects that are incomplete feel rushed, and create a bad Final Walk-Through experience that ends with a lot of blue tape. Building that fully completes one phase before starting the next (and has checklists to ensure nothing is forgotten or left undone) will result in a tighter, cleaner project at the Final Walk-Through. The Buyer will be less likely to treat the meeting like an Easter egg hunt to find everything wrong with the house. The entire meeting will take less time. And, the Construction Manager shouldn’t have a long punch list with items to complete before closing. It’s a win-win.
An inspection checklist is the gear that keeps the schedule moving. Used strategically for said inspections. They create added value for employees, Trade Partners and customers with a big payoff for the builder.
