Are you considering hiring a construction technical inspection firm construction and wondering how to make the right choice? Here are some key points to help guide your search
Below is a list of the key factors you should consider to select the technical inspection firm that best fits your needs.
Technical expertise: a crucial factor for ensuring optimal inspections
Never forget that a construction technical inspection firm is an intellectual service provider essential to the proper execution of a project. Its mission is clear: to help prevent technical risks in the field of construction.
The firm you choose must therefore have on its team competent and experienced engineers and technical specialists. A lack of expertise on the part of the inspector can lead to serious non-compliances on site, resulting in potentially significant defects and claims.
Responsiveness: without it, your project could quickly go off track
The responsiveness of the technical inspector on site is a fundamental criterion that should never be underestimated if you want to ensure the project is delivered on schedule.
A lack of responsiveness can have major consequences on the smooth running of a project. Bear in mind that, in principle, work should not begin without the prior opinion of the technical inspector—so imagine the risks if this rule is overlooked.
When you first contact a construction technical inspection firm, don’t hesitate to ask them to commit to clear deadlines for deliverables in their financial proposal.
Availability: an absolute must
The technical inspector must be available at every stage.
During the design phase, they should attend technical coordination meetings with the architect and engineering offices to ensure they can deliver an RICT (Initial Technical Inspection Report) without reservations before the tendering stage.
During the execution phase, they must be present on site. Part of their role at this stage is to check the implementation of works and equipment. They should attend site meetings (twice a month is a reasonable frequency) and also carry out unannounced inspections with contractors to review specific control points by trade.
Price: not the main selection criterion
In today’s market, technical inspection services are being driven down in price for various reasons, and some firms now offer rates that are “too good to be true.”
This inevitably undermines the profession, and we must stand firm against this trend.
For all the reasons outlined above, let’s be clear: excessively low daily rates inevitably result in a technical inspection mission that is, quite simply, “botched.”