Can the report be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; verify exceptions and project-specific consent requirements before accepting fully electronic submissions.

Is a professional stamp required?

Often yes for engineered inspections. Many jurisdictions require a licensed engineer or inspector stamp to attest to observations; check state licensing rules to confirm.

Do inspections need notarization?

Not typically required for routine reports, but some jurisdictions or affidavit-style submissions may require notarization or a RON session; confirm with the local building department.

How long must I keep reports?

Retain per project contract and regulatory baselines: generally at least 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA-covered records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer where local rules apply.

What if I find an error after signing?

Issue a corrected report with a new version number and date, note the correction reason, and redistribute to all original recipients. Maintain both originals for audit history.

Which formats should be submitted?

PDF is the preferred archival format; include high-resolution photos, measurement logs, and any attached NDT reports. Ensure electronic submissions preserve metadata and stamps.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Steel Inspection Report

Steel Inspection Report

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

STEEL INSPECTION REPORT

Client Name: Client Contact:

Inspector Name / Company: Inspector License / Cert #:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client requires a professional inspection of steel components, welds, coatings, and connections located at the project site described below; and

WHEREAS, Inspector represents that it possesses the training, experience, certifications, and equipment necessary to perform such inspections in accordance with industry practice and applicable standards; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to document the inspection findings, any non-conformances, and the terms under which inspection services will be provided and compensated.

Project Information

Project Name Project Address

Structure / Component Type: PO / Contract No.:

Inspection Date: Inspection Start Time: Inspection End Time:

Scope of Work

Scope Description

Inspection procedures to be employed (check all that apply):

Visual (VT) Ultrasonic (UT) Magnetic Particle (MT) Penetrant (PT)

Coating thickness / condition Bolted connections Weld inspection Dimensional checks

Observations and Findings

Summary of Findings Non-Conformance Items (list each item, location, severity, recommended corrective action)

Item 1 No.: Location: Severity:

Item 2 No.: Location: Severity:

Item 3 No.: Location: Severity:

Recommendations and Required Repairs

Attachments

Photographs attached: Drawings attached:

List of Attachments / Photo Numbers

Payment Terms

Inspection Fee Amount: $ Payment Schedule:

Late Payment Fee:

All fees are exclusive of taxes and any required permits. Client shall reimburse Inspector for reasonable travel, lodging, and testing equipment costs if such expenses were agreed in advance in writing.

Term and Termination

Term Commencement Date: Term Expiration Date:

Either party may terminate this engagement for cause upon material breach by the other party that remains uncured for after written notice. Termination shall not relieve Client of its obligation to pay for services rendered and expenses incurred through the date of termination.

Confidentiality

Inspector acknowledges that information obtained in the course of inspection, including test data, photographs, and Client’s proprietary information, may be confidential. Inspector shall not disclose confidential information to third parties except as required by law or with Client’s prior written consent. This confidentiality obligation survives termination of this engagement for a period of three (3) years.

Governing Law

This Inspection Report and any dispute arising out of or related to it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified here: , without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement

This Steel Inspection Report, together with any written attachments and the terms set forth herein, constitutes the entire agreement between Client and Inspector with respect to the services described and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous representations, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral.

Inspector Certification

I certify that the inspection described herein was performed to the best of my ability, that observations and test results are reported accurately and truthfully, and that any limitations or conditions affecting the inspection are disclosed in this report. Inspector makes no warranty beyond the express terms set forth in this document.

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Inspector Name:

By:

Date:

What the Steel Inspection Report Is and When It’s Used

A Steel Inspection Report documents inspection findings for steel components, connections, coatings, and erections on a construction project. It records the inspector, inspection date, location, applicable standards, nonconformances, and photographic evidence. The report supports permit compliance, contractor quality control, owner acceptance, and insurer or lender reviews, and it often accompanies as-built records and final project closeout documentation.

Why a Clear Steel Inspection Report Matters

A complete, dated inspection report reduces rework, demonstrates regulatory compliance, and creates an evidentiary record for owners, contractors, and insurers. Clear findings and signed acceptance reduce disputes and support timely permit closure and payments.

Typical Users and Signers of a Steel Inspection Report

Parties who prepare, review, or rely on these reports vary by project role.

Structural engineers and inspectors responsible for observations, code references, and the inspector’s professional stamp and signature.
General contractors and subcontractors who receive corrective actions, schedule follow-up inspections, and certify remediation.
Owners, lenders, and insurance adjusters who accept work, release payments, or evaluate claims based on documented evidence.

Each party may have separate retention and signature requirements; coordinate responsibilities before submission.

Essential Sections to Include in a Professional Report

A professional Steel Inspection Report follows a consistent structure so reviewers can locate facts quickly and verify compliance with contract and code requirements.

Report Header

Project name, report number, inspector name, license number, company, and inspection date and time; provides traceability for the record.

Location Details

Exact site address, building or bay number, grid reference, floor elevation, and weld or member identifiers to ensure findings map to project drawings.

Scope of Work

What was inspected (welds, connections, coatings, bolt tensions), the inspection method used, and reference specifications or codes (AISC, AWS, ASTM).

Findings

Pass/fail status, measured values, nonconformance descriptions, severity, recommended remedial actions, and who is responsible for correction.

Attachments

Photos with numbered callouts, measurement logs, NDT reports, calibration certificates, and referenced drawing excerpts to substantiate observations.

Signatures & Acceptance

Inspector signature, inspector stamp (if required), client or contractor acknowledgement, and dates to confirm receipt and response obligations.

Required Identifying Information

Report ID: Unique identifier

Inspector: Name and license

Inspection Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Site Location: Address and grid

Standards: Code references

Attachments: Photos and logs

How to Complete a Steel Inspection Report — Step by Step

Follow a consistent order: identify, describe, document, sign, and distribute. Each step supports traceability and corrective action tracking.

01

Record ID: Assign a unique report number and enter project identifiers.
02

Describe Scope: List inspected elements, methods used, and referenced standards.
03

Document Findings: Note pass/fail results, dimensions, nonconformances, and photo references.
04

Sign and Date: Inspector signs, stamps if required, and client acknowledges receipt.

Where to Send or File the Completed Report

Steel Inspection Reports are routed to stakeholders according to contract and permitting requirements; follow the project distribution list to avoid delays.

Project Owner: Delivered for acceptance and recordkeeping by the owner or owner's rep.
General Contractor: Submitted to the GC for corrective action tracking and payment processing.
Building Department: If required, file with the local building department or inspector for permit closure.
Project Archive: Store in the project document management system for closeout and warranty reference.

Digital Signing & Sharing Requirements

Use an eSignature-capable platform to collect signed reports and preserve an audit trail before distributing to stakeholders.

Formats Supported: PDF, DOCX, and images
Authentication: Email, SMS code, and advanced methods
Integrations: Connects to project systems

Typical Online Workflow Settings for Inspection Reports

Configure template fields and signer roles so each report is complete and routed automatically to reviewers and archives.

Field	Configuration
Document Type	Steel Inspection Report template
Signature Order	Inspector then contractor then owner
Authentication	Email link or SMS code
Retention Policy	Auto-archive after acceptance

Common Timeline Expectations and Submission Deadlines

Timelines are often set by contract or permitting authority; use the project's schedule to set report delivery windows and correction periods.

Inspection Timing:

Perform inspection at the specified milestone or when conditions permit.

Report Delivery:

Common practice: submit the completed report within 30 days of inspection.

Correction Response:

Contract documents typically allow 7–30 days for corrective action, depending on severity.

Municipal Review:

Local review cycles vary; expect 10–45 business days in many jurisdictions.

Final Closeout:

Include the inspection report with final as-built and closeout documents.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Omitting the inspector’s license or stamp, which can invalidate review and delay acceptance.
Using ambiguous photo labels or low-resolution images that fail to show defect severity clearly.
Applying inconsistent location identifiers, causing confusion when referencing drawings or other reports.
Leaving signature blocks unsigned or using initials where a full signature or stamp is required.

Risks and Consequences of Incomplete or Incorrect Reports

Permit Delays: Construction holds and administrative delays

Project Delays: Rework and schedule slippage

Fines: Municipal or regulatory penalties

Contract Claims: Disputes over compliance and payments

Insurance Denial: Claims rejected for insufficient documentation

Liability Exposure: Potential professional or contractual liability

Real-World Examples of Digital Inspections and Reporting

Digital templates and e-signatures are commonly used by property managers and inspection firms to speed approvals and preserve records.

Martin Properties

A property management firm adopted digital reports to process documents remotely and improve turnaround.

The team reduced paper handling and travel.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

BIS

An inspection services company centralized signed reports to improve auditability.

Central storage simplified retrieval for claims and owners.
"We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification and strict focus on ESIGN and UETA act compliance."

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Compare typical starting prices and core features; confirm plan details on each vendor site before procurement.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial, no card	Check vendor terms	Check vendor terms	Check vendor terms	Check vendor terms
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Plan-dependent	Plan-dependent	Plan-dependent

Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Inspection Reports

Answers to common questions about signing, acceptance, retention, and correction of inspection reports.

Need help? Contact support

Can the report be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; verify exceptions and project-specific consent requirements before accepting fully electronic submissions.
Is a professional stamp required?
Often yes for engineered inspections. Many jurisdictions require a licensed engineer or inspector stamp to attest to observations; check state licensing rules to confirm.
Do inspections need notarization?
Not typically required for routine reports, but some jurisdictions or affidavit-style submissions may require notarization or a RON session; confirm with the local building department.
How long must I keep reports?
Retain per project contract and regulatory baselines: generally at least 3 years for tax records (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA-covered records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer where local rules apply.
What if I find an error after signing?
Issue a corrected report with a new version number and date, note the correction reason, and redistribute to all original recipients. Maintain both originals for audit history.
Which formats should be submitted?
PDF is the preferred archival format; include high-resolution photos, measurement logs, and any attached NDT reports. Ensure electronic submissions preserve metadata and stamps.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now