I recently came back from a site observation. Now this was no ordinary observation. My office is in Tucson, AZ and the project is in Gallup, NM. To put it in perspective, it is about a 7 hour drive. One question I always get is, why don’t you fly? The main reason is time, the closest airport is in Albuquerque, which is about 2 hours away. Not too bad, but there are not any direct flights from Tucson to Albuquerque. So, between the flight, and rental car drive, it is close to 8 hours. So it ends up being about the same amount of time, and with the long drive I get to stay caught up on my Podcast. But what I really wanted to talk about is the Site Observation.

Ever since I started in this profession, the site visit has always been an observation of the construction progress. It amazes me that almost every contractor will call for an inspection. After 30 plus years, you would think the word would be out there that Architects and Engineers only observe the work. I will make the verbal correction that I don’t do inspections. Typically, the follow up is, “well, same difference, I need you on site to look at something”. 

I thought let’s break it down. The online Webster’s dictionary defines each term as following:

Observation:

1. the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information
2. a remark, statement, or comment based on something one has seen, heard, or noticed.

Inspection:

1. recognition of a familiar pattern leading to immediate solution of a mathematical problem solve an equation by inspection
2. a checking or testing of an individual against established standards

While I’m not getting into the legal realm of the two words. It is clear to me to see the difference of the two definitions. When I’m doing a site observation report. I’m gathering information to report on what has been built and the status of that construction. If I were to be inspecting I’m comparing it to a standard.

Whoa little horsy… The push back would be, “you are inspecting, the standard is your drawings”. Once again, I’m not taking on the liability of inspecting and establishing the standard of construction. I’m only observing if the contractor is meeting the design intent.

At the end of the day, it is and will continue to be an educational experience for everyone in the course of construction of a project. Not only do I get this request from contractors, but also from owners. I offer my observations, call the Code Official or Testing agency if an inspection is needed.

…and now for something completely different.
If you believe that you’re truly one in a million, there are still approximately 7,611 more people out there just like you.