At White Building Reports, we know a new home is often the largest financial commitment most people make in their lives. That’s why a construction stage inspection is essential during building inspection so that you don’t need to deal with costly ‘defect-repairing’ bills in near future.
A thorough building inspection report produced by White Building Reports in Melbourne will outline all the prospective constructional issues at each stage of the construction and state what they can cause. Our report will also include what the builder should do to rectify the defects that we have observed on site.
Construction Stage Inspection We Assess
Contract Review Prior To Signing Contract:
We can help you understand the terminology that’s used in a contract so you have a better understanding of your and the builders obligations also insert terms that suit your needs & insert clauses that allow you to have your own independent inspections prior to making payments
- Stage 1: Pre-Concrete Slab or Base Stage
Check correct depth, dimensions of excavations also reinforcement steel & mesh, after the slab preparation has been done but just prior to the concrete being poured. This provides assurance your slab thickness, beam sizes, reinforcing mesh etc. are all as per the slab designer’s specification.
Timber-Sub Floor
Strip footing foundation depth and size, Stumps, bearers and floor joists.
- Stage 2: Walls & Roof Frame Including Roof Trusses
Wall and roof frames are complete, structural bracing installed according to building specifications & engineering plans, prior to any roof coverings, brickwork or wall cladding, and in the case of a two story build we also check out the 1st floor joists & beams to ensure that the frame work is compliant.
- Stage 3: Lock-Up.
External brickwork or wall cladding is complete, fascia & gutters, roof coverings and roof flashings installed, windows & doors with all required locking devices installed, plumbing & electrical wiring rough-in completed, prior to plastering. At this stage we are able to assess & check that the integrity of the building frame has not been compromised or damaged due to lock-up trades when installing their various bits & pieces, assess the exterior cladding quality & brickwork check wall cavities, brick ties, wall flashings etc.
(Note: Garage door is not usually installed at lock-up as it is subjected to being damaged).
- Stage 4: Pre-Tile (Waterproofing Membrane Inspection)
Waterproofing is among the top ten building defects. Waterproof membrane to all wet areas and bathrooms, toilets, laundries, balconies, prior to tiling. This can potentially be a huge problem if not installed correctly.
- Stage 5: Final Handover/ Occupation Stage
Here the home is ready for occupation, prior to final handover payment and prior to signing any handover documents, Inspection of finished quality & any defects important to achieving a quality finish.
- Stage 6: 3 Months Maintenance/ Defects Period
After occupying your new home for 3 months, prior to the expiry of the maintenance or defects liability period the builder must fix any additional defects that may have occurred in this time & the owner must notify the builder in writing before the end of the 3 months or from the date the owner takes possession of the house.
Re-Inspections (Checking if defects have been rectified)
At the completion of each of the relevant stages of construction White Building Reports will provide you with a Detailed Building Inspection Report containing all the prospective defects and constructional issues.
As a homeowner, you can forward this Construction Stage Report to your builder and request all the observed defects to be rectified prior to handing over the house to you.
If you would like to talk to us about carrying out an independent construction stage inspection for your new home, feel free to call us now on 0418 322 925. Alternatively, you can send us your query or ask for free quote.
