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Site inspection report template
A construction site inspection form for site managers, clerks of works and contract administrators. It records the visit, weather and site conditions, labour and deliveries, progress against the programme, findings area by area, materials and tests, and open queries. Every question is listed below, and you can fill the live form in on this page.
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What should a site inspection report include?
A site inspection report should record the project, date, inspector and type of visit, the weather and any time lost, who was on site, progress against the programme, and each area inspected with photos and findings. For each finding it should say what is wrong, when it must be put right, who needs to act and by when, then list open queries, the next visit and who receives the report.
Last updated . Facts checked on 26 September 2026 against CDM 2015 regulation 13 and HSE: principal contractors.
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Every question in the site inspection template
Site visit report: weather, labour, progress against programme, area by area record, tests, queries and instructions. 8 sections and 88 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project and area: the project name
Visit details
Which project, who inspected it and what kind of visit it was.
- Report referenceShort answer
- Project and area*Short answerFills in from the project name
- Date of the visit*Date
- Time on siteTime
- Your role on this project*Choose one
- Contractor's site manager
- Clerk of works
- Contract administrator
- Other (describe)
- GuidanceContractor. In England, anyone carrying out building work must make sure it is planned, managed and monitored so that it complies with the building regulations. Government guidance says principal contractors should have arrangements to monitor the work and keep records.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- GuidanceClerk of works. You inspect for the client. Record what you see and report it to the client and the contract administrator. What you are allowed to direct on site depends on your appointment and the contract.Shown when “Your role on this project” is “Clerk of works”
- Which contract is the work being carried out under?Short answerShown when “Your role on this project” is “Contract administrator”
- Your nameShort answer
- Principal contractorShort answer
- Type of visitChoose one
- Routine
- Follow-up on earlier findings
- Before work is covered up
- Before completion
- Date of the visit being followed upDateShown when “Type of visit” is “Follow-up on earlier findings”
- What is about to be covered up, and where?NotesShown when “Type of visit” is “Before work is covered up”
- When is it due to be covered?DateShown when “Type of visit” is “Before work is covered up”
- CheckOnce work is covered it cannot be inspected without opening it up. Photograph it on this visit and record who inspected it.Shown when “Type of visit” is “Before work is covered up”
- Did anyone walk the site with you?Yes or No
- Who, and from which organisation?Short answerShown when “Did anyone walk the site with you?” is Yes
- Could you get to every area you planned to inspect?Yes or No
- Which areas were not inspected, and why?NotesShown when “Could you get to every area you planned to inspect?” is No
Weather and site conditions
Record the conditions on the day, even when the work is indoors.
- WeatherChoose one
- Dry
- Light rain
- Heavy rain
- Snow or ice
- High wind
- Fog
- Temperature outside (°C)Number
- Did the weather stop or slow any work?Yes or No
- Which work was affected?Short answerShown when “Did the weather stop or slow any work?” is Yes
- Working hours lostNumberShown when “Did the weather stop or slow any work?” is Yes
- CheckRecord what stopped, for how long and who was stood down. Whether lost time changes the completion date is decided under the contract, not by this record.Shown when “Did the weather stop or slow any work?” is Yes
- Access and housekeepingChoose one
- Clear and tidy
- Needs attention
- Unsafe
- What needs attention, and where?NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Did you see anything that concerned you about health and safety?Yes or No
- What did you see, and where?NotesShown when “Did you see anything that concerned you about health and safety?” is Yes
- Who did you tell, and when?Short answerShown when “Did you see anything that concerned you about health and safety?” is Yes
- WarningTell the person in charge of the site straight away. Do not wait for the report.Shown when “Did you see anything that concerned you about health and safety?” is Yes
Labour, deliveries and visitors
Who was on site and what arrived.
- Building trades on siteNumber
- MechanicalNumber
- ElectricalNumber
- Other tradesNumber
- Site managementNumber
- Total on siteWorked out by the form
- Any deliveries since the last visit?Yes or No
- What arrived, and when?NotesShown when “Any deliveries since the last visit?” is Yes
- Are the materials stored so that they stay dry and undamaged?Yes or NoShown when “Any deliveries since the last visit?” is Yes
- What is wrong with the storage?NotesShown when “Any deliveries since the last visit?” is Yes and “Are the materials stored so that they stay dry and undamaged?” is No
- Visitors to the siteShort answer
Progress against the programme
Where the job is against the contractor's programme.
- Programme and revisionShort answer
- Programme week nowNumber
- Length of the programme (weeks)Number
- Share of the programme time used (%)Worked out by the formShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Overall progressChoose one
- Ahead of programme
- On programme
- Behind programme
- How many working days behind?NumberShown when “Overall progress” is “Behind programme”
- What is causing the delay?Tick all that apply
- Weather
- Labour
- Materials or deliveries
- Late information
- Changes to the work
- Defective work to put right
- Access to the area
- Other (describe)
Shown when “Overall progress” is “Behind programme” - What is being done to recover the time?NotesShown when “Overall progress” is “Behind programme”
- CheckReport the delay to the contract administrator in this report. Notices of delay are given under the contract and this record does not replace them.Shown when “Overall progress” is “Behind programme”
- CheckLate information is recorded as a cause. List the outstanding queries in section 7, with the date each one was raised.Shown when “Overall progress” is “Behind programme” and “What is causing the delay?” includes “Late information”
Area by area record
One entry for each area or trade you inspect.
- GuidanceWhat a good photo shows. Stand back to show where you are, then get close to the work. Take it before the work is covered.
An office floor with metal stud partitions up and the ceiling open 
A plasterboard partition that stops short of the slab, with cables passing over it 
Cable tray and cabling fixed under a concrete slab - Areas inspectedRepeat for each area. Each one asks:
- Area or zoneShort answer
- What are you inspecting?Choose one
- Partitions and linings
- Ceilings
- Mechanical services
- Electrical services
- Floors
- Joinery and doors
- Decoration
- Other (describe)
- Which looks most like the stage the work has reached?Choose one
- Framing up, ceilings open
- Boarded, head still open
- Containment in, cables pulled
- Your photos of this areaPhotos
- Planned complete (%)Number
- Actual complete (%)Number
- Difference from the programme (percentage points)Worked out by the formShown when “Planned complete (%)” is answered and “Actual complete (%)” is answered
- CheckThis work is behind the programme. Say why, and what will bring it back.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Why is it behind, and what will bring it back?NotesShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Do the drawings show this partition as fire resisting?Choose one
- Yes
- No
- Not known
Shown only when the answers above make it relevant - CheckCheck the fire strategy and partition drawings before the ceiling is closed. Raise a query if they do not say.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Is the head built and sealed to the slab as the drawings show?Yes or NoShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- WarningA fire resisting partition has to be finished as designed, including the head and the openings for services. Record this as a finding and photograph it before the ceiling goes in.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Has this section been tested?Yes or NoShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Which test, and who witnessed it?Short answerShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Is there a finding in this area?Yes or No
- What did you find?NotesShown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes
- Type of findingChoose one
- Incomplete work
- Defective work
- Not as the drawings or specification
- Damage
Shown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes - When does it need to be put right?Choose one
- Now, before work carries on
- Before it is covered up
- Before completion
Shown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes - WarningTell the site manager before you leave the area, and record the time you told them.Shown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes and “When does it need to be put right?” is “Now, before work carries on”
- Who needs to act?Short answerShown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes
- Due dateDateShown when “Is there a finding in this area?” is Yes
Materials, tests and work to be covered
What the record needs before work is closed up.
- GuidanceThe building regulations require work to be carried out with adequate and proper materials and in a workmanlike manner. This section records what you checked. It does not certify the work.
- Do the materials on site match the specification or approved samples?Choose one
- Yes
- No
- Not checked
- What is different, and where is it being used?NotesShown when “Do the materials on site match the specification or approved samples?” is “No”
- CheckReport this to the contract administrator before more of the material is fixed.Shown when “Do the materials on site match the specification or approved samples?” is “No”
- Did you witness a test on this visit?Yes or No
- Which test?Short answerShown when “Did you witness a test on this visit?” is Yes
- ResultChoose one
- Passed
- Failed
Shown when “Did you witness a test on this visit?” is Yes - Date of the retestDateShown when “Did you witness a test on this visit?” is Yes and “Result” is “Failed”
- WarningRecord the failed test as a finding in section 5 and do not let the work be covered until it has passed.Shown when “Did you witness a test on this visit?” is Yes and “Result” is “Failed”
- Will any work be covered up before your next visit?Yes or No
- What work, and where?NotesShown when “Will any work be covered up before your next visit?” is Yes
- Has it been photographed?Yes or NoShown when “Will any work be covered up before your next visit?” is Yes
- CheckPhotograph it before you leave, or agree who will and when.Shown when “Will any work be covered up before your next visit?” is Yes and “Has it been photographed?” is No
- Is this a higher-risk building?Yes or No
- CheckBuilding work in a higher-risk building has extra requirements. Keep this record in the way the project's own procedures set out.Shown when “Is this a higher-risk building?” is Yes
Drawings, queries and instructions
Check you are inspecting against the current information.
- Are the drawings on site the current revisions?Yes or No
- Which drawings are out of date?NotesShown when “Are the drawings on site the current revisions?” is No
- CheckWork built from an old drawing may need to be checked again against the current one.Shown when “Are the drawings on site the current revisions?” is No
- Are any queries waiting for an answer?Yes or No
- List each query and the date it was raisedNotesShown when “Are any queries waiting for an answer?” is Yes
- Were any instructions received since the last visit?Yes or No
- List them, with their referencesNotesShown when “Were any instructions received since the last visit?” is Yes
Summary and sign-off
Count the findings and set the next visit.
- Findings carried from earlier visitsNumber
- Closed on this visitNumber
- New on this visitNumber
- Open at the end of this visitWorked out by the form
- CheckYou have closed more findings than were open. Check the numbers.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Summary of the visitNotes
- Next visitDate
- Who is the report going to?Tick all that apply
- Client
- Contract administrator
- Principal contractor
- Principal designer
- Other (describe)
- NameShort answer
- SignatureSignature
Site inspection template questions
Who is the site inspection form for?
The form asks your role first: the contractor's site manager, a clerk of works or the contract administrator. Each choice shows a short note on what that role records and who it reports to.
How does it record progress against the programme?
Section 4 records the programme revision, the current week and the programme length, and works out the share of time used. If the job is behind, it asks how many working days, the causes and the recovery plan. Each area also has a planned and actual percentage complete.
Does the report replace a notice of delay?
No. The form says notices of delay are given under the contract and this record does not replace them. Whether lost time changes the completion date is also decided under the contract.
What does the principal contractor have to do during construction?
Under regulation 13 of CDM 2015, the principal contractor must plan, manage and monitor the construction phase and coordinate health and safety during it. The form's site conditions section asks whether you saw anything that concerned you about health and safety, and who you told.
Does the form certify the work?
No. The form notes that the building regulations require work to be carried out with adequate and proper materials and in a workmanlike manner. The materials and tests section records what you checked, but it does not certify the work.
Can I sign and send the report from site?
Yes. In the SiteSurvey app the form works offline, attaches photos to each area, collects your signature and produces a PDF report or share link for the client, contract administrator or principal contractor.
Related
Related templates
Templates that go with the site inspection form
Construction site safety walk: perimeter, work at height, welfare, housekeeping, plant, hazards and actions.
General purpose visit: purpose, who was there, findings with photos, actions and follow-up.
Snag by snag record with room, element, photo and priority, checks with no snag, totals and re-inspection.
Customer acceptance at handover: work completed, outstanding items, customer name and signature.
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