Stakeholders in the construction industry are calling for a revision of the pricing system for building inspections, arguing that current fees are unfair and disproportionate. Civil engineer Atakan Bakylan has highlighted a glaring issue: a mere 50-centimeter difference in building height can nearly double the cost of inspection.
Bakylan explained in an online statement that the success of construction projects—aligned with urban planning, safety, and architectural standards—depends on fair and reasonable inspection fees. "These costs are borne directly by builders," he said. "And with construction expenses already skyrocketing, many developers are forced to sell apartments below cost just to keep projects viable."
A recognized expert in the field, Bakylan is also a board member of the Eskisehir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and serves on the Executive Committee of the Eskisehir Council of Young Entrepreneurs (TOBB). He pointed out that inspection fees are typically based on the building’s classification. However, this system sometimes leads to baffling discrepancies.
For instance, he cited the example of two buildings, each with a floor area of 2,000 square meters. One is 21 meters high, with an inspection fee of 287,000 TL. The other is just 21.5 meters high—only half a meter taller—yet the fee jumps to 570,000 TL. "We're not talking about a few thousand, but hundreds of thousands of lira," Bakylan emphasized. "In today’s economy, this places an enormous strain on budgets. We need a more just and transparent pricing model."
Adding to the burden, construction material costs have soared: plaster prices have risen by 120% in a short span, while labor costs have surged by a staggering 650%. In such a volatile economic environment, industry voices are increasingly urging for inspection fee reforms to prevent further strain on builders and developers.