They witness tests to verify that the works meet specified requirements. They monitor progress against programme so that an independent view of where the contract is at any given stage is balanced against the contractor’s own assessments. By providing weekly reports they are able to advise on all aspects of the works in progress and highlight any concerns.

As with any service the cost is always a consideration. Clients and Consultants who do understand the benefits of engaging an independent inspection service usually include a budgetary amount for such an auditing type process to be included at an early stage of the project. Our advice is that even if you can only afford to engage an Inspection service on a part-time visiting basis that this is better than having none at all. It is well known in the industry that just the threat of an Independent Inspector visiting Site unannounced tends to keep Contractors focused on ensuring that short cuts in quality are not taken or encouraged.