Blitzz Blog | Visual Support, Inspections & Jobsite Documentation

How Remote Inspections Keep Inspectors and Clients Safe

Written by Blitzz Team 2 | Mar 14, 2020, 4:00:00 AM

Short answer: Remote video inspections keep inspectors and clients safer by removing many of the risks that come with site visits: long drives, unsafe or unfinished structures, confined spaces, bad weather and close contact. The inspector guides someone on site through a live video call, captures the evidence they need and completes the inspection without traveling.

Key takeaways

  • Every remote inspection is one less trip on the road for the inspector.
  • Inspectors can review hazardous or hard-to-reach areas without entering them.
  • Clients do not need to host a visitor or take time off to wait for one.
  • Quality holds up because the inspector controls zoom, photos and markup during the call.

The safety risks of in-person inspections

Inspectors spend much of their day driving between sites and walking through buildings that are still under construction or have been damaged. That creates real risk:

  • Travel. Hours on the road every day add up to significant accident exposure.
  • Jobsite hazards. Unfinished floors, ladders, roofs, crawl spaces and live equipment.
  • Weather. Storm and disaster response often sends inspectors into unsafe conditions. See how facility inspectors prepare for severe weather.
  • Close contact. Shared spaces raise the chance of spreading illness between inspectors, crews and clients.

Not every inspection can move online, but many routine ones can. Each one that does removes these risks for that visit.

How a remote video inspection works

  1. Send a link. The inspector texts a link to the contractor, homeowner or site worker.
  2. Join from a phone. The client taps the link and the video call opens in the mobile browser. There is no app to download.
  3. Guide the inspection. The inspector directs the camera, zooms in, and uses markup tools to point at exactly what they need to see.
  4. Capture evidence. Photos and video are saved with time and location data for the inspection record.
  5. Close out. The inspector records the result and shares the report, all without leaving the office.

Safety without lowering quality

A remote inspection is only useful if it is as reliable as being there. With Blitzz Inspect the inspector, not the client, controls the view. They can zoom, freeze the frame, capture high-resolution photos and annotate the video. If a specialist is needed, they can join the same call. Everything is documented automatically, so the record is complete.

When an issue does require a site visit, the remote session helps there too. The inspector arrives knowing what to look for, which shortens time on site.

Which inspections work well remotely?

  • Building permit inspections such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, solar and final walkthroughs, where local rules allow it
  • Insurance claims and property damage assessments
  • Warranty and equipment condition checks
  • Fire safety and property risk reviews. Read remote fire safety and property risk inspections.

Frequently asked questions

Are remote inspections allowed by building departments?

Many building departments accept remote video inspections for certain permit types, and some states now require local jurisdictions to offer them. California's AB 1738 is one example. Always check your local rules. See which states are next to adopt remote building inspections.

What does the client need?

A smartphone with a camera and a cellular or WiFi connection. No app or account is required with Blitzz.

Can a remote inspection be recorded for compliance?

Yes. Photos, video and notes from the session are saved to the inspection record with timestamps and location data.

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