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While home and building inspectors are both masters of identifying problems, their roles, ultimate goals, and authority levels are vastly different. When you learn the differences between the two, you’ll have a better understanding of where each professional fits into the building process.

Legal Requirements

While home inspections are certainly important, their service is not always required before a buyer purchases a home. They are optional. In many cases, it is perfectly legal to buy or sell a home without having an inspection.

However, those who need a permit for a building project usually require an inspection. In some cases, inspections occur across multiple phases of the construction project and require involvement from more than one government agency.

Legal Authority

Home inspectors can point out issues and predict what might happen if you don’t address them. However, they have no legal authority to stop the sale of a home or any other transaction. It’s up to the buyer or seller to decide what action to take based on the home inspector’s findings.

Building inspectors, on the other hand, are trained to look for building code violations. They have legal authority from the government agency that they work for to issue citations for safety violations. If these violations are not corrected, building permits can be revoked, and the construction project can be halted.

Private vs. Public Jobs

Home inspectors typically work independently or for private companies. Building inspectors usually work for a local municipality as public servants, making them responsible to that government agency. They must perform their duties according to the agency’s set standards.

Pre- vs. Post-Construction

You’ll notice one of the most obvious differences between home and building inspectors is when their services are needed.

Home inspectors usually aren’t called until the home is already built and someone wants to buy or sell it, but building inspectors get involved before the project begins. In some cases, they are required to sign off on the building plan or remain involved throughout the building process.

Two Important Roles With Distinct Functions and Outcomes

Home and building inspectors play two valuable roles for homeowners. It is important to have a firm understanding of their different roles to understand how they factor into buying, selling, or building a new home.

If you want a great career where you provide a useful service to your community and ensure that structures are safe and sound, then becoming a home or building inspector is an excellent choice.

To pivot into this rewarding and growing field, contact RocketCert and learn more about obtaining an expert education and the exam prep materials you need to meet your state’s requirements for these careers.