Outbuild is online scheduling software to work together on connected project schedules and look-aheads, enabling everyone to move faster.
Key Takeaways
- Schedules, Lookaheads, and Weekly Work Plans within one integrated platform.
- Real-time insights and project analytics through automated dashboards.
- Easier, streamlined plan management through a user-friendly interface.
Table of contents
- How to Monitor Construction Site Quality and What Is It
- Specifications: The Foundation of Construction Quality
- Submittals: Turning Design Into Reality
- Inspections: The Heart of Jobsite Quality Control
- Communication: The Thread That Connects Quality
- Quality Control vs. Cost Control: Finding the Balance
- Roles and Responsibilities in Construction Quality Control
- Creating a Building Construction Quality Control Plan
- Safety, Risk, and Technology in Quality Control
Construction quality control (QC) refers to the steps taken to monitor, verify, and correct work during a project. Its purpose is simple: make sure the final product matches the design, meets specifications, and complies with codes and safety standards. In short: is the work done right?
Each project begins with a design and a vision. Then, owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers bring that vision to life. With so many moving parts, maintaining quality across every phase takes structure, communication, and accountability.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to monitor construction site quality:
- The key elements of quality control in construction projects
- How specifications, submittals, and inspections work together
- How to build a strong building construction quality control plan
- The roles of every stakeholder in the QC process
- Why technology and communication matter more than ever for quality control construction
Specifications are the backbone of quality control in construction. They define how every element, from concrete mix to HVAC installation, should be performed. These documents, prepared by the design team, act as the rulebook for contractors and inspectors.
The design team (architects, engineers, and consultants) develops specs that outline materials, methods, performance standards, and tolerances. These specifications ensure that all work meets the owner’s expectations and regulatory requirements.
Most U.S. projects follow the CSI MasterFormat, which standardizes how specs are written and organized. Each material or work type includes a three-part specification covering:
- General requirements
- Products
- Execution
Following these specs ensures consistency. During inspections, work can be checked directly against them, making it easier to catch errors early and reduce rework.
Submittals are a crucial part of quality control procedures in construction. They include product data, shop drawings, material samples, and mockups that verify how proposed work will meet design intent.
Subcontractors prepare submittals and send them to the general contractor for review. The GC then routes them to the architect or engineer for approval. Only after this process can materials be ordered or installed.
This review loop prevents surprises on site. If a material or method doesn’t match the specs, it’s caught early, before it becomes expensive rework.
Example:
On a mixed-use high-rise, the electrical subcontractor submitted alternative light fixtures to save cost. During the submittal review, engineers flagged a voltage mismatch that could have caused widespread rework. Catching it early saved weeks and thousands in materials.
Effective communication is key. The general contractor acts as the connector between design and field teams, ensuring everyone stays aligned on approved materials and installation details.
Regular inspections are the most visible part of construction quality control and monitoring. They confirm that materials and workmanship meet specifications and safety standards at every phase of the project, not just at closeout.
Quality control during construction includes several types of inspections:
- Pre-installation inspections to verify materials and conditions
- In-progress inspections to ensure correct methods
- Post-installation inspections to confirm final compliance
Inspections should be documented with photos, notes, and signatures, creating a clear record for turnover and warranty. When issues are found, they’re logged as non-conformance reports, tracked, and resolved.
Example:
During an inspection on a hospital project, a superintendent noticed reinforcement spacing didn’t match the approved shop drawings. The issue was flagged, corrected, and verified the same day, avoiding a full structural pour delay.
Inspection data also feeds into construction quality management systems, allowing project teams to spot trends, measure performance, and improve over time.
Quality control in construction industry fails without clear communication. From RFI responses to inspection logs, every team member needs up-to-date information to do their job correctly.
Quality control for construction help teams capture and share updates in real time so nothing gets lost between the office and the field.
It’s common to view construction quality and cost as competing priorities, but they’re actually connected. Poor quality leads to rework, delays, and wasted labor, all of which increase costs. The importance of quality control in construction cannot be understated.
Owners, contractors, and designers all play a role in maintaining quality without overspending. Strategies include:
- Setting aside contingency funds for rework or unforeseen conditions
- Using value engineering to find cost-effective materials that still meet specs
- Choosing collaborative delivery models (Design-Build or IPD) to reduce design conflicts and speed up approvals
The goal is to prevent “saving” money upfront only to lose more later fixing mistakes.
Example:
A university project team used value engineering to swap a custom curtain wall system for a standard tested option that still met performance requirements. The change reduced cost without affecting quality and the project finished two weeks ahead of schedule.
Quality control in construction work is a shared effort. Each stakeholder has a defined role:
Owners
Set the project’s expectations and hire qualified contractors. They may also engage owner’s reps or third-party inspectors to ensure compliance.
Design Team
Architects and engineers establish quality standards through drawings and specs, review submittals, and verify materials during construction.
General Contractor
Manages daily QC operations, reviews submittals, oversees inspections, and ensures that all trades meet design and safety standards. Large GCs often have a dedicated Quality Manager or team.
Specialty Contractors & Suppliers
Provide materials and labor that meet project requirements. They must comply with all approved submittals and immediately report any discrepancies.
Project Managers & Superintendents
PMs oversee planning and documentation; superintendents handle daily verification in the field. They’re the front line of quality control in construction management.
Together, these roles create accountability across every stage of construction. And, they manage all types of quality control in construction.
A building construction quality control plan (QCP) outlines the processes, responsibilities, and documentation needed to ensure work meets standards. It acts as a roadmap for everyone involved.
A strong quality control plan construction project includes:
- Introduction: Overview, objectives, and project scope
- Roles & Responsibilities: Who checks, approves, and records each task
- Quality Standards & References: Applicable codes and specifications
- Inspection & Testing: List of required tests and acceptance criteria
- Documentation: Procedures for reports, photos, and test results
- Non-Conformance: How to identify, correct, and document rework
- Performance Tracking: Metrics for improvement and reporting
See below how teams are digitizing their quality plans through software like Procore’s Action Plans.
Quality and safety go hand in hand. Poor workmanship can lead to unsafe conditions—loose connections, faulty wiring, or weak structural ties. Strong construction quality control programs help prevent accidents by ensuring materials and installations are done correctly.
Technology has made quality control easier and more reliable. Many teams now use tools like BIM and mobile apps to plan, track, and verify work on site. These tools help teams visualize designs, coordinate trades, and spot problems before they cause delays or rework.
And, digitizing the quality process ensures teams can follow construction quality control best practices.
Scheduling also plays a big role in maintaining quality, when work is planned properly and crews stay on time, materials are installed in the right order and conditions, reducing mistakes and keeping standards high.
How to Fix the Disconnect Between the Office and Field.
Download the report to learn more:
- Learn about the why scheduling and planning fail the field
- Understand the pain points, inefficiencies, and evolving practices shaping scheduling today
- Find out how to bridge critical disconnects happening in construction
Forward-thinking companies are even using sensors, drones, and AI-based inspections to monitor jobsite progress and catch issues early, turning construction site quality control into a proactive, data-driven process.
Ready to change the way you build? Try Outbuild's construction scheduling software and experience the benefits firsthand. Give Outbuild a totally free test run today!
How to Fix the Disconnect Between the Office and Field.
Forward-thinking companies are even using sensors, drones, and AI-based inspections to monitor jobsite progress and catch issues early, turning construction site quality control into a proactive, data-driven process.
Ready to change the way you build? Try Outbuild's construction scheduling software and experience the benefits firsthand. Give Outbuild a totally free test run today!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s the process of verifying that materials, workmanship, and installations meet design and safety standards. It ensures compliance and prevents rework.
Through inspections, documentation, and real-time tracking using checklists, dashboards, and progress photos.
A construction quality control plan defines standards, roles, inspection steps, testing procedures, and documentation requirements for all project phases.
Digital tools help teams track progress, document proof, and coordinate across trades, reducing risk and improving transparency.
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