Prior to the concrete slab being poured the site will need to be scraped of vegetation and if required the earth cut and filled to achieve a level building platform. Building setout, sub-surface concrete piering or screw piles (if required), underground power and drains installed. A rock levelling base for a waffle slab or sand levelling base for a conventional slab installed followed by external boxing, vapour barrier and steel reinforcement. Only after the Building Surveyor has approved the steel inspection can the concrete be poured. Our inspection involves all aspects of the workmanship and report on any defects found that may not have been picked up by the Relevant Building Surveyor.

Stud walls, bracing, floor joists (if applicable) and roof trusses installed. Windows and external door frames more often than not also installed at this time. This inspection is best conducted prior to any sisalation paper and or roof coverings being done. Dimensions, structural connections, engineer’s details and general construction issues pertaining to relevant Australian Standards are inspected. Other items in the inspection include room dimensions, load points, frame overhang, alignment and fixing of the frame to the concrete slab, wall plumbness, square and level and all bracing has been correctly installed, damage to the window and door frames, roof trusses are adequately braced and installed to meet manufacturers requirements amongst many other items.

This stage can vary between Builders but is generally achieved when the roof cladding, external wall cladding (being either weatherboard, foam or brickwork) has been completed along with the windows and external doors (even if they are temporary) making the house physically lockable. On occasions the Builder might want to install the internal plaster lining prior to the external cladding being completed (reverse build) so it is vitally important that this inspection is done prior to any plaster being installed. An inspection of the external wall claddings will be done if completed. Roof claddings, fascia and gutters, external doors and windows inspected, damage to specially coated surfaces, articulation joints, flashings and weepholes checked. The pre-plaster inspection is normally completed at the same time (when possible) but is dependent on each particular Builders construction time frame. It allows us to check the items that we would otherwise not be able to check at frame or lock-up stage. An inspection of carpentry work including wall straightening, ceiling cornice lines are packed and levelled, cavity pockets installed with baths and shower bases (if required) installed. Electrical rough-in, Plumbing rough-in and heating rough-ins completed paying particular attention to damage which may have been caused to the frame or other components. Insulation to external walls and ceilings must also be inspected prior to the plaster being hung.

Plastering and cornice installed, stopped up and sanded. Architraves, skirtings, doors, baths, basins, troughs, sinks, cabinets and cupboards are fitted and fixed in position ready for paint to be applied. In the case of a reverse build, then the external cladding will be inspected at this time. If the waterproofing has been completed then this will be inspected at the same time. The waterproofing and membrane will need to be dry so the inspection can be done.

When the construction of the home is complete as per the contract documents and where all contractual obligations by the Builder have been finalised. The Builder will provide a notice of completion with the final invoice claim. The Certificate of Occupancy is generally provided to you around this time. You will need to ensure that your Builder has made sure that your home has been fully completed in order for us to conduct a proper final inspection otherwise a further inspection may be required resulting in additional charges incurred by you through no fault of your own. Our inspection will thoroughly inspect all items previously inspected and all completion items that had not been inspected previously.

After the Owner has moved into their new home and prior to the maintenance period being reached (normally 3 months after handover) the Owner is required to compile a list and submit it to their Builder prior to this expiry date. The inspection will generally list any newly identified defects that may exist in the finishes and the quality of those finishes, for which rectification can reasonably be expected to be the responsibility of the builder due to poor workmanship. This will generally pick-up settlement items such as doors and windows out of alignment and/or binding, gaps to cornices, skirting boards and architraves, plaster nail popping, loose fixtures and fittings, joinery misalignment and shrinkage cracks to name a few minor items. Other more serious maintenance issues may also be evident. The Post-Handover inspection can be done any time after the initial maintenance period up until 10 years after the occupancy permit has been done.

Purchasing an established home is a major decision and you need to know whether the property is in good condition and if there are any major defects visible but more importantly hidden which can lead to unexpected costs to the home owner later on. We inspect and report on all the building components (where access is safe to do so), describing the existing condition and explaining likely repairs and indications for remedial work as well as any maintenance required prior to the purchase of the property.

These inspections are generally carried out at the request of the Vendor to determine what, and if any issues need to be addressed prior to putting their home on the market. This is seen as an investment by the Vendor in being able to present their property for sale in the best possible light with transparency and full disclosure regarding the condition of the property and you can be confident knowing there won’t be any surprise findings or demands from a potential buyer.

Often the case with a dispute with a Builder or Developer our inspection will focus on a particular problem or issue you have. Whether you need help identifying the issue, or aren’t sure of just how bad the damage is, we can help you to find out the exact nature of the defect.

We inspect the current condition of the property at a given point in time by conducting a site visit, taking photographs and documenting it. This is generally required when construction or civil works will be done within close proximity to your property and will record any existing damage, and the current condition of the property that may be affected by construction work, excavation or demolition. The report can be referred to for any future damage caused to your property by adjacent construction work.

We inspect the current condition of the property and provide advice to the Real Estate Agent, Property Manager and / or Landlord about the condition of the property. This is generally required before and / or after a Tenant takes possession or if you would like to know if your Tenant is maintaining the property during their lease as required.

Being an Owner Builder provides a great deal of satisfaction but how do you know whether the Trades that you have hired will complete their work to a satisfactory and competent standard. This is where we come in and can advise on any sub-standard work that does not meet applicable standards and regulations.