Li, L; Sandanayake, M; Yang, A; Izadyar, N; Chen, S; O'Brien, D and Vrcelj, Z (2026) A virtual platform for managing building inspections during the construction of detached dwellings. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(2), pp. 295-315. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Improving the building inspection process is a key factor in minimizing defects and enhancing the construction quality in residential buildings. In many countries, including Australia, Registered Building Surveyors (RBS) provide independent oversight to ensure that building and construction works comply with the construction code, with inspections accounting for a large proportion of their routine work. However, the rapid pace of housing development combined with a shortage of skilled workforce in the building surveying industry has introduced numerous challenges to the residential inspection process. There is also a lack of efficient platforms to support RBS in their inspection work, which can contribute to building defects. A digitally enabled platform that captures, manages, and tracks the building inspections has the potential to address these limitations. The proposed platform provides a tailored solution for building inspectors and surveyors to improve the reporting efficiency, streamline communications and enhance decision-making. The efficiency of the proposed prototype was also evaluated through a feedback survey completed by RBS and other stakeholders in the construction industry. Respondents indicated that the platform could help RBS manage defects by giving it an advantage rating of 68–98%.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; defects; inspection; residential; virtual inspection |
| Index terms: | construction industry, construction work, inspection, Australia, platform, residential building, efficiency, construction quality, accounting, decision-making, building surveying, housing development, building surveyor, survey, prototype, routine, building defect |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, decision analysis, sociology, professional development, performance management, modelling and simulation, data collection methods, profession, quality assurance, Geography, digital design, professional practice, economic analysis, operations management, construction type |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Quality Management, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here