As mechanical contractors look for ways to improve, they want to cut costs and increase efficiencies without compromising quality. A common solution for contractors is implementing new and updated technologies into their operations. One technological advancement that has grown in popularity after the rise of virtual services stemming from the pandemic is the power of virtual inspection services. By leveraging virtual inspection services offered by companies, contractors can speed up the traditional permit inspection process, which is usually cumbersome, including back-and-forth trips between job sites, endless paper trails, long wait times, and more.

Despite worries that virtual inspection services don’t compare to the traditional permit inspection process, virtual inspectors thoroughly examine a property's plumbing fixtures, HVAC systems, and other installations. Companies that offer these services can even run water testing virtually. These tests include running water at each fixture for as long as possible to identify leaks and recreate them if present. By taking the time to conduct a thorough water inspection, mechanical contractors can trust that virtual inspectors can still get the job done even if they are not physically on the property.

With the help of virtual inspection services, mechanical contractors can also record and store video and images of inspections on their devices. This allows them to review past inspections, dissect details, review for quality assurance, and share results with stakeholders without searching through paperwork. This will help contractors streamline their operations and improve transparency and accountability regarding the inspection process.

Virtual inspection services also empower general contractors to be more flexible with their schedules, bringing in subcontractors only when ready to avoid costly delays. Contractors can instantly schedule and perform inspections from the convenience of their phones, empowering them to stay on track with their project timelines. By eliminating the usually long wait times for an inspector to be available on-site, contractors can generate significant savings in an industry where time is often connected to money.

When vetting virtual inspection services, it is also important that the company offers instant permit approvals. As many in the industry know, the current permitting process is a major inconvenience, with unacceptable delays, inefficiencies, and outdated methods. Plan reviews should never take more than 48 hours, and companies offer an all-on-one permit management platform, available from the convenience of their phones, to serve as a gateway for streamlined permit management. Contractors can utilize this technology to gain control over permit tracking, notarization, plan reviews, and inspection results, all from one intuitive platform. With the help of permit management platforms, contractors can reduce costs, shorten project timelines, and get back to what they are passionate about.

By leveraging virtual inspection services offered by companies, contractors can speed up the traditional permit inspection process, which is usually cumbersome, including back-and-forth trips between job sites, endless paper trails, long wait times, and more.

Embracing digital transformation could be the deciding factor in whether contractors thrive or fail in the coming years. With the help of virtual inspection services, they can get ahead of the competition that still uses outdated methods. Although it may seem like uncharted territory diving into new technologies, these virtual inspection services are created with one goal in mind: improving the inspection process so contractors can get back to what they are best at.

Contractors already have so much on their plate while trying to improve efficiencies and cut costs without compromising quality. As the industry embraces these technological advancements more widely, it will become more common to utilize virtual inspection services rather than traditional methods that slow down the process, unnecessarily increase costs, and keep mechanical contractors from doing what they do best.