Which stage is best for arranging an Building Inspector

Hi,

For building a new house with builder,

could anyone please suggest which stage is best for arranging independent Building Inspector?

Also any suggestion for good inspectors in Victoria will be much appreciated !

Thanks,

Any stage is always good. I did slab and frame and will do pci.
If issues are picked up in the structure it's much easier and faster to rectify early

Before you sign building contract
Your most important inspection is pre contract review

DEFINITELY before signing the contract!
Many builders don't want an independent inspector anywhere near anything they're doing, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the contract you sign has stuff in it about how the builder controls the site & all third parties need to be vetted by the builders before being allowed onsite.

DO NOT spend any time with a builder before clarifying that they'll allow an independent inspector onsite, if you want to use one. You don't want to spend 100hrs of your life choosing options & colours & finishes & tiles & bricks & floorplans etc etc only to find out you can't get the inspector you want.

We had independent (Council) inspections with a previous build and based on what I learned from the experience, I would get one just before the concrete is poured for the slab and after the frame/roof is erected.

Once plaster and bricks go up, many issues are simply concealed anyhow at this point. Also any further issues are generally more cosmetic ones, so I think the pre-slab and framing inspections are the most important.