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Foundation Inspection Jobs in Charleston, SC (NOW HIRING)

Mid-Level Inspector

North Charleston, SC

$58K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... strong foundation in construction safety principles . If you are a driven, detail-oriented ... Perform construction inspection activities and assist in the administration of highway, bridge ...

Mid-Level Inspector

North Charleston, SC · On-site

$58K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... strong foundation in construction safety principles . If you are a driven, detail-oriented ... Perform construction inspection activities and assist in the administration of highway, bridge ...

Senior Construction Inspector

North Charleston, SC

$88K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... strong foundation in construction safety principles . If you are a driven, detail-oriented ... Perform construction inspection activities and assist in the administration of highway, bridge ...

Commercial Alarm System Inspector

Charleston, SC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

We are looking for candidates with a solid technical foundation who are ready to build specialized expertise in a growing field. What You'll Do * Perform scheduled inspections, tests, and surveys of ...

Commercial Alarm System Inspector

Charleston, SC · On-site

$40K - $50K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

We are looking for candidates with a solid technical foundation who are ready to build specialized expertise in a growing field. What You'll Do * Perform scheduled inspections, tests, and surveys of ...

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Foundation Inspection information

See Charleston, SC salary details

$10

$18

$29

How much do foundation inspection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for foundation inspection in Charleston, SC is $18.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.38 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by foundation inspectors during on-site assessments?

Foundation inspectors often encounter challenges such as limited access to crawl spaces or basements, concealed damage hidden behind finishes, and difficult soil conditions that can hinder thorough evaluations. Weather conditions like heavy rain can also affect site accessibility and visibility of potential issues. Effective communication with property owners and construction teams is essential to address these challenges and ensure accurate, comprehensive reports. Inspectors must be detail-oriented and adaptable to overcome these obstacles and maintain high inspection standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foundation inspector?

To thrive as a Foundation Inspector, you need knowledge of building codes, structural engineering principles, and construction practices, usually supported by relevant certifications or experience in construction or civil engineering. Familiarity with inspection tools, moisture meters, digital reporting software, and sometimes certification from organizations like the International Code Council (ICC) is typical. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help inspectors accurately assess issues and convey findings to clients or contractors. These skills are crucial for ensuring structural safety, regulatory compliance, and clear stakeholder communication during building projects.

What do they do during a foundation inspection?

During a foundation inspection, a foundation inspector examines the structural elements of a building's foundation, looking for signs of damage such as cracks, settling, or water intrusion. They assess soil conditions, evaluate the stability of the foundation, and may use tools like levels or moisture meters to identify issues that could affect the building's integrity.

What is the difference between Foundation Inspection vs Structural Inspection?

AspectFoundation InspectionStructural Inspection
CertificationsTypically requires foundation-specific certifications or general building inspector licensesRequires structural engineering or building inspector certifications
Work EnvironmentPrimarily on residential or commercial building sites focusing on foundation systemsBroader, including entire building structures, framing, and load-bearing elements
Industry UsageCommonly performed during new construction, repairs, or assessments of foundation issuesPerformed during construction, post-construction, or damage assessments of entire structures

Foundation Inspection focuses specifically on evaluating the integrity of a building's foundation, while Structural Inspection covers the overall structural system of a building. Both roles require similar certifications and often overlap in work environments, but Foundation Inspectors concentrate on foundation-specific issues, whereas Structural Inspectors assess the entire load-bearing framework.

How to become a certified foundation inspector?

To become a certified foundation inspector, individuals typically need a combination of relevant education, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and experience in construction, engineering, or building inspection. Certification programs are offered by industry organizations or state agencies and often require passing an exam and demonstrating knowledge of foundation systems, inspection techniques, and safety standards.

What is a foundation inspection?

A foundation inspection is a thorough evaluation of a building's foundation to assess its structural integrity and identify any signs of damage, settling, or potential problems. Inspectors look for issues such as cracks, moisture intrusion, uneven settling, and other structural concerns that could impact the safety and stability of the property. The inspection helps homeowners and buyers understand the condition of the foundation and what repairs, if any, are needed to maintain the building’s safety and value.

What job categories do people searching Foundation Inspection jobs in Charleston, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Foundation Inspection jobs in Charleston, SC are:

What cities near Charleston, SC are hiring for Foundation Inspection jobs?

Cities near Charleston, SC with the most Foundation Inspection job openings:

Infographic showing various Foundation Inspection job openings in Charleston, SC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,594 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Senior Transportation Construction Inspector

HDR

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


HDR rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe construction services are more than project delivery, they're about safeguarding quality, safety, and trust at every step. As part of HDR's Field Services team, you'll be on the front lines of infrastructure development, making sure that what's designed is built to the highest standards. From highways and bridges to water treatment plants, transit systems, and power facilities, your work ensures that our clients' visions become reality, with precision, integrity, and excellence. Our construction professionals; Construction Managers, Inspectors, Resident Engineers, and field specialists bring deep technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a commitment to quality that sets industry benchmarks. Your contributions are critical to delivering successful, resilient infrastructure. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead in the field, uphold the highest standards, and leave a legacy of quality that communities can rely on for generations. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
HDR is looking for Senior Construction Inspectors to join our South Carolina Transportation Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) team in any of the following locations: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or Beaufort, SC. They will be inspecting asphalt and concrete for acceptable materials and mix, and pavement for proper spreading, rolling, depth, alignment, and compaction. They will also inspect roadway and structures for conformance to plans, and specifications; structural materials and members; placement of culverts; structural operations such as foundation excavation; placement of piling, reinforcing and structural steel, concrete and backfill; traffic control and erosion control devices. They will perform complex calculations and computations, as well as contract documentation duties, which may include field measurements of pay items as well as other required documentation. Work may include other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Night and / or weekend work may be required as dictated by client project needs.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in construction inspection for transportation projects required
  • Must have considerable knowledge of materials, methods, and equipment used in highway and bridge construction
  • Must have considerable knowledge of mathematical functions including geometry and trigonometry
  • Must have skills in the use of office equipment such as calculators and computers
  • Must have the ability to read, interpret, and explain such things as construction plans, contract provisions, and specifications
  • Must have the ability to take notes and prepare or review reports, good communicative ability and the ability to instruct other employees in proper work methods
  • Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule
  • Work requires travel to meetings, site visits, and inspections
  • Must be licensed to operate motor vehicles in accordance with applicable state law
  • Local candidates are preferred
  • SCDOT certifications, other DOT certifications or the ability to get is most preferred
  • *LI-SM1

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • High School diploma or equivalent. (Candidates with 8 years of relevant construction inspection experience may substitute experience for a high school diploma)
  • A minimum of 5 years experience
  • Proficient with MS Office (Word/Excel/Outlook)
  • Strong written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • This position typically requires successfully passing drug-screening procedures prior to being hired; thereafter subject to random and cause drug and alcohol testing
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917