Quality Control: The Role of Construction Inspectors

What does it take to make sure a project meets client and public expectations for safety, quality, and regulatory standards? See how the quality control performed by inspectors plays a crucial role in delivering top-tier infrastructure work.

​On a major transportation infrastructure project in northern Utah, construction is underway on multiple structures: a new bridge connecting to the interstate, an overpass above a railroad, and a pedestrian bridge. Overseeing each project, a team of inspectors is hard at work to ensure safety and the highest quality construction.

What Construction Inspectors Do 

​It’s the responsibility of the inspector on a job site to make sure that every dollar is used carefully and that the finished work meets the standards of the client. On a job funded by the federal, state, or local government, these funds come from taxes, making the general public equally invested in the quality of the work. 

​McKenon "Mac" Estrada, a senior inspector at Horrocks, explained some of the work that goes into the job:

​“I love that every day there’s a challenge and something new,” Mac said. “Being able to brainstorm and work together with a contractor to come up with a common solution to how we’re going to go about something is always awesome.” 

​Mac is the Structure Lead over concrete pavement and has been with Horrocks for 9 years after a career path change from the medical field. He went on to explain that inspectors work closely with other project managers on massive plans that need to be monitored for precision. Construction inspection requires detailed knowledge of construction standards and plan specifications. 

​Why Attention to Detail Matters in Construction Inspection

​​This work moves fast, and inspectors need to be just as fast to make sure possible issues are caught early. Corrections need to be made within 24 to 48 hours to maintain the project schedule. This holds everyone accountable while helping the work keep pace.

​One of the tasks Mac and other inspectors perform is called core testing. For every 12,000 square feet of concrete laid on a project, a sample core of concrete is drilled and tested for compression strength. If it compresses even fractions of an inch beyond the limit, the whole section of concrete may need to be removed. Concrete deterioration from compression over time is expected, but it’s the inspector’s job to make sure that the concrete strength matches specifications exactly.

​The location of the project matters a lot: every manhole, tree, and section of sidewalk affects the cost and constructability of a project. Inspectors also have to pay close attention to safety and environmental impact.

​As Mac expressed, “The things that are involved in building a structure or building a road just blow my mind, and people would never imagine it.”

Behind the Scenes: Working as a Construction Inspector

​Another Horrocks senior inspector, Allen Guillot, noted that infrastructure projects involve far more than what is visible in the finished product. For example, behind every roadway is a detailed inspection process. Inspectors check materials and processes at every stage of construction, helping maintain quality. When asphalt and dirt are laid foot-by-vertical-foot, or when steel girders are placed to maintain the structure, inspectors are there to ensure accuracy.

​Allen worked for 27 years with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and started with maintaining roads before jumping into construction, where he developed the skills of an inspector. He was later hired by Horrocks for his professional experience and understanding in the field. He has now worked with Horrocks for seven years and believes the need for people with field experience is one of the highest priorities for construction inspection. That includes the next generation of inspectors:

​“[Interns and college students] are very important because they’re going to school to become engineers and get construction management degrees. [Through internships they] get a feel for what it’s like," Allen said. “That way, when they graduate, they have the experience for what’s heading their way.”

Ensuring Quality from Start to Finish: It Takes a Team

​Mac said that the hardest part of being an inspector is managing the small technical specifics required to meet client expectations. Quality is key for every tiny detail, and much of that responsibility rests on the shoulders of the inspectors.

​Despite being a key figure on any job site, the inspectors at Horrocks explained that it takes the whole team to ensure success and that everyone deserves to be highlighted for their hard work — from the planners and surveyors to the utility coordinators and construction crews.

​Learn more about our inspection services on our Construction Management page and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more.​