How to hire a residential building inspector

How to hire a residential building inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step residential building inspector hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a residential building inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new residential building inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The residential building inspector hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A residential building inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, residential building inspectors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents residential building inspector salaries for various positions.

   Type of Residential Building Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Residential Building Inspector	Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.	$13-39
   Plans Examiner	A plans examiner is typically in charge of evaluating construction or work plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and zoning ordinances. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and reviewing applications and documentation, verifying the accuracy and authenticity of requirements, and assuring that they adhere to the safety policies and standards... Show more	$19-40
   Construction Supervisor	Construction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes... Show more	$20-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sketch
   • Windows
   • Plumbing
   • Residential Buildings
   • Inspection Process
   • HVAC
   • Residential Properties
   • Construction Materials
   • Local Building Codes
   • Pest Control
   • Plan Review
   • Residential Construction
   • Construction Methods
   • Building Permits

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead site excavations, form structuring, and supervise concrete pours.
   • Perform residential building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections.
   • Pass all require residential building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspector exams.
   • Conduct inspections of newly build or previously own homes, condominiums, town homes, manufacture homes.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your residential building inspector job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A residential building inspector can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, residential building inspectors' average salary in kentucky is 50% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level residential building inspectors 66% less than senior-level residential building inspectors.
   • Certifications. A residential building inspector with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a residential building inspector's salary.

   Average residential building inspector salary

   $48,597yearly

   $23.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level residential building inspector salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a residential building inspector job description

   A residential building inspector job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a residential building inspector job description:

   Residential building inspector job description example

   Under general supervision, performs technical and skilled inspections of residential buildings and structures in all stages of construction, alteration, and repair to assure compliance with related City ordinances and codes.
   
   * This position performs duties deemed to be "safety-sensitive" and is therefore subjected to random drug testing under the City's policies*
   Essential Job Functions
   
   * Inspects new buildings, additions to buildings, and alterations of existing buildings for compliance with the currently adopted edition of the International Residential Code.
   * Inspects residential plumbing, mechanical and electrical installations being constructed, altered or repaired to assure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
   * Verifies appropriate inspection fees or re-inspection fees.
   * Reads and interprets adopted codes, technical manuals, drawings, instructions, and specifications as related to construction projects.
   * Performs stormwater and erosion control inspections.
   * Inspects residential construction site conditions.
   * Notifies contractors of code violations and follows up to ensure compliance.
   * Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives; identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations; implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures.
   * Meets with the general public and builders to provide information and to answer questions.
   * Manages multiple sites and communicates with builders, developers, homeowners, and contractors.
   * Completes required reports.
   * Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   Minimum Education and Experience
   
   Requires a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, supplemented by one to two years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Oklahoma for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a State Inspector License as a Residential Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Inspector within one year from date of employment.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
   
   * Knowledge of relevant city, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
   * Knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in building projects.
   * Knowledge of principles and practices of building inspection and plan review.
   * Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions in construction areas.
   * Knowledge of International Residential Code.
   * Knowledge of stormwater and erosion control ordinances.
   * Skill in the use of computers and various software programs.
   * Skill in the completion of residential building and site inspections.
   * Skill in the completion of residential building plan reviews.
   * Skill to use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
   * Skill to exercise analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.
   * Skill in oral and written communication.
   * Ability to operate computers for data entry, word processing and/or accounting purposes.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right residential building inspector for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with residential building inspectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit residential building inspectors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your residential building inspector job on Zippia to find and attract quality residential building inspector candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit residential building inspectors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new residential building inspector

   Once you've decided on a perfect residential building inspector candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new residential building inspector. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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