Inspection
Definition
An inspection is an official or in-house review of completed work to confirm it meets code, safety, and quality standards before the job is closed out.
What Inspection Means for Your Business
What it means
Inspections come in two flavors: government inspections tied to a permit, and internal inspections that a lead tech or QC specialist runs on finished work before the truck leaves.
Why it matters
Inspections catch mistakes before they become callbacks, warranty claims, or lawsuits. A solid inspection culture is the single biggest driver of first-call resolution and customer trust.
How contractors use it
Shops build inspection checklists into every work order, require photo evidence of key items, and schedule municipal inspections as part of the close-out workflow. Leads or QC inspectors often do a final walk on larger jobs.
Real-World Example
A plumbing company required a 22-point pre-departure inspection on every install. Callback rate dropped from 5.4% to 1.8% and saved roughly $94,000 in annual rework cost.
Related Terms
Permit Pulling
Permit pulling is the process of obtaining required government approvals before beginning work that is regulated by local building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical codes.
Punch List
A punch list is a final checklist of small remaining items that must be completed before a project or job can be officially closed out.
Work Order
A work order is the digital or paper document that authorizes and records the work performed on a specific service call.
Warranty Work
Warranty work is labor or parts replacement performed at no cost to the customer because the issue is covered under a prior repair, install, or manufacturer warranty.
First-Call Resolution
First-call resolution is the percentage of service calls that are fully fixed on the technician's first visit, with no return trip required.
Put This Into Practice with Free Software
Kaldr Tech handles inspection and everything else you need to run your shop. $0/month, 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction.