What does a Development Inspector do?
Image: Development Inspector in front of a Charles White car.
Read how our Development Inspectors keep communal areas safe, well maintained and compliant across managed developments in Scotland.
A Development Inspector helps ensure the communal areas of a managed development are safe, well maintained and compliant by carrying out regular site visits, identifying maintenance issues and supporting planned works. At Charles White, each of our developments is supported by a dedicated in-house team of four people; a Client Relationship Manager, a Development Inspector, a Client Account Manager and a Client Team Administrator. Each person plays to their strengths giving our clients the best possible service.
Our Development Inspectors carry out a vital role. They:
Carry out regular site visits to check the condition of the internal and external common areas.
Identify any maintenance or health and safety issues that need attention,
Provide recommendations for future project works.
Liaise with trusted contractors.
We spoke to Darren Drummond, who has been working at Charles White as a Development Inspector for the past three years, about his role. Darren brings considerable technical experience to the role, having previously worked as a Building Inspector and gaining a degree in Building Surveying and Construction Management.
Can you explain what a Development Inspector does and why the role is so important in managed developments?
The role of the Development Inspector is primarily to check the development and identify any issues in the communal areas requiring attention, from maintenance repairs to project work. We also review the cleaning and garden maintenance to ensure the contractors are meeting the service level agreement. We carry out these checks to ensure the development is maintained in good condition and provide the client with the opportunity to carry out improvements to their developments. The Development Inspector also supports the wider team with any technical queries, prepares tender documents, and provides recommendations when selecting specific contractors.
How does your role support health and safety compliance across managed developments?
The role of Charles White, assisted by the Development Inspectors, helps supports health and safety compliance across managed developments by carrying out at least seven site visits a year. During site visits, we inspect the communal areas and identify potential maintenance and safety issues that may need attention. We record any concerns and work with the wider team to arrange follow up action. This proactive approach helps ensure the developments are safe and fit for purpose.
What checks do you carry out before, during and after projects on site?
We use approved contractors to carry out works at our developments. The Development Inspectors will carry out a project pre-start before any major works begin which will include the contractor, client representatives, and the Development Inspector. During the project, progress meetings will take place at regular intervals and at the end of the project an inspection will be carried out to ensure all snagging has been completed and then signed off as completed. All stages of this process are recorded on our Inspector App and shared on the client portal, giving complete visibility to the clients.
How do Development Inspectors work with the wider Charles White team to provide proactive and responsible property management?
Charles White has a dedicated team for each development that communicate internally on a day-to-day basis. Development Inspectors have regular meetings with the Client Relationship Managers to discuss their portfolios. There are also cross functional team meetings which include the administration and accounts teams where all aspects of the developments are discussed with plans put in place to deal with any issues. That means everyone in the team knows what’s happening on each development.
What would you say to anyone considering employing Charles White to manage their development?
I would absolutely recommend Charles White because they take such a robust approach to proactively managing their developments. In my opinion, it is essential that anyone involved in managing a particular development should have a good working knowledge of that development. This includes both technical and non-technical knowledge. That’s why our approach is so important, clients can trust us, their development is in safe hands.
About Charles White Limited
Based in Edinburgh and working across Scotland, Charles White Limited is one of Scotland’s oldest and most respected property management companies. We have been working in property across Scotland since 1840 and are a well-known, established name in residential property management. We offer an award-winning service built on experience, transparency and full compliance with Scottish regulations. From everyday tasks such as grounds maintenance to the full management of complex residential developments, we take a proactive, people-focused approach. We work hard to ensure our clients always feel informed through regular, clear communication and our commitment to transparent financial management.