Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 15, 2021 12:57 pm Has anyone contracted an independent inspector mid build? We are almost at the brickwork finished stage and so far everything seems to look fine. S/S is friendly and responds to my questions so no issues there. I've been reading heaps though and noticed a lot of people uncovering things that their independent inspections picked up so now im thinking we probably should have had one from the start. Is it worth getting one now though once all the slab and framework has already been done? Follow my build here: https://www.instagram.com/ivy5custom Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 2Apr 15, 2021 4:49 pm You can definitely contract an independent inspector at any stage of the build for as many or as little number of stages as you like Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 3Apr 16, 2021 11:30 am Good idea to get some expert inspections done. Be mindful that the inspector is not independent. They work for you. They will prepare a report and you will need to discuss and negotiate rectification of any issues identified with your SS yourself. Your SS may or may not read or act on the report. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 4Apr 16, 2021 11:34 am I would be discussing your intentions with your ss if you plan on using one. There may be impacts to timing and I have even heard of builders trying to charge to allow for the pleasure. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 5Apr 16, 2021 1:06 pm Good to get an inspection of the frame before any issues are hidden behind the insulation and gyprock, and the scaffolding for the brickwork is still in place. Go onsite with the inspector. Check for straight, level and plumb within australian standards tolerances, and connections, services etc. are all appropriate before you make the stage progress payment. Dont mistake your SS's sweet talk for expertise, diliginence and ethics in acting to ensure the quality of your home's workmanship. He doesn"t work for you. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 6Apr 16, 2021 2:27 pm Kippers01 Good to get an inspection of the frame before any issues are hidden behind the insulation and gyprock, and the scaffolding for the brickwork is still in place. Go onsite with the inspector. Check for straight, level and plumb within australian standards tolerances, and connections, services etc. are all appropriate before you make the stage progress payment. Dont mistake your SS's sweet talk for expertise, diliginence and ethics in acting to ensure the quality of your home's workmanship. He doesn"t work for you. So i've been inspecting things myself quite a bit throughout the stage and everything looks good so far - with the caveat though that im by no means an expect so im not really basing it on anything. Everything is level/plumb and i've measured a few key points and they have been correct to the exact millimeter. The only thing im not sure about is the correct process for the plumbing that goes through the frame bottom plates. Follow my build here: https://www.instagram.com/ivy5custom Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 7Apr 16, 2021 5:06 pm According to Australian standard AS1684.2-2010 Residential Timber Frame Construction clause 6.2.1.4 on page 62 the maximum allowable size of a services hole in the bottom plate is 25mm and it must be in the middle. Notches max is 20mm. Perhaps a craftsman carpenter here can verify this and suggest a rectification. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 8Apr 17, 2021 5:35 pm Monty85 Kippers01 Dont mistake your SS's sweet talk for expertise, diliginence and ethics in acting to ensure the quality of your home's workmanship. He doesn"t work for you. So i've been inspecting things myself quite a bit throughout the stage and everything looks good so far - with the caveat though that im by no means an expect so im not really basing it on anything. g] I would encourage you to get an independent consultant. Your site supervisor is not a registered builder. And all looked good to me and then I got a report stating 45+ defects. Most were minor but I would not have been able to check that they were fixed if I didn’t know what they were. I also had to keep checking that defects were corrected as my SS would say that is being fixed tomorrow, next Tuesday etc. they often were not and SS did not check. The inspection reports are also a good record for you should issues arise later. Just use a company that has very experienced ‘inspectors’ Even if the inspector finds no defects which I would be surprised about, it is money well spent to be sure. Once it’s covered up you cannot see. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 9Apr 19, 2021 5:18 pm Kippers01 According to Australian standard AS1684.2-2010 Residential Timber Frame Construction clause 6.2.1.4 on page 62 the maximum allowable size of a services hole in the bottom plate is 25mm and it must be in the middle. Notches max is 20mm. Perhaps a craftsman carpenter here can verify this and suggest a rectification. Is this implying that was is done is not as per code? Sorry, as im said im no expert so not sure how to follow.... Follow my build here: https://www.instagram.com/ivy5custom Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 10Apr 19, 2021 5:39 pm Possibly. The AS1684.2-2010 clause 6.2.1.4 'Notching, trenching and holes in studs and plates", table 6.1 notes says: "Top and bottom plates in internal non-load bearing and non-bracing walls may be discontinuous up to 60mm (cut or drilled) to permit installation of services provided that, at the discontinuity, the plates are trimmed or otherwise reinforced either side of the discontinuity to maintain the lateral and longitudinal integrity of the wall." As per others' suggestions, I suggest commissioning an expert consultant to inspect your build at appropriate stages. Can any carpenters in the forum offer some insights here? Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 11Apr 19, 2021 5:41 pm Kippers01 Possibly. The AS1684.2-2010 clause 6.2.1.4 'Notching, trenching and holes in studs and plates", table 6.1 notes says: "Top and bottom plates in internal non-load bearing and non-bracing walls may be discontinuous up to 60mm (cut or drilled) to permit installation of services provided that, at the discontinuity, the plates are trimmed or otherwise reinforced either side of the discontinuity to maintain the lateral and longitudinal integrity of the wall." As per others' suggestions, I suggest commissioning an expert consultant to inspect your build at appropriate stages. Can any carpenters in the forum offer some insights here? Yeah that is enough doubt for me to make up my mind so im looking into independent consultants now. Hopefully the turn around can be nice and quick. Follow my build here: https://www.instagram.com/ivy5custom Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 12Apr 19, 2021 11:12 pm Monty85 Kippers01 Possibly. The AS1684.2-2010 clause 6.2.1.4 'Notching, trenching and holes in studs and plates", table 6.1 notes says: "Top and bottom plates in internal non-load bearing and non-bracing walls may be discontinuous up to 60mm (cut or drilled) to permit installation of services provided that, at the discontinuity, the plates are trimmed or otherwise reinforced either side of the discontinuity to maintain the lateral and longitudinal integrity of the wall." As per others' suggestions, I suggest commissioning an expert consultant to inspect your build at appropriate stages. Can any carpenters in the forum offer some insights here? Yeah that is enough doubt for me to make up my mind so im looking into independent consultants now. Hopefully the turn around can be nice and quick. I would recommend Housepec. Very good! Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 13Apr 20, 2021 10:59 am We used Houspect and they were great! Very detailed reports. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 14Apr 21, 2021 11:23 am shokel1975 We used Houspect and they were great! Very detailed reports. I ended up booking in with South West Property Inspections - was recommended by a friend. Follow my build here: https://www.instagram.com/ivy5custom Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 15Apr 22, 2021 2:30 pm Kippers01 Good to get an inspection of the frame before any issues are hidden behind the insulation and gyprock, and the scaffolding for the brickwork is still in place. Go onsite with the inspector. Check for straight, level and plumb within australian standards tolerances, and connections, services etc. are all appropriate before you make the stage progress payment. Dont mistake your SS's sweet talk for expertise, diliginence and ethics in acting to ensure the quality of your home's workmanship. He doesn"t work for you. Well said.. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 17Dec 09, 2021 3:01 pm lasotm shokel1975 We used Houspect and they were great! Very detailed reports. What was the cost? looking to incliude thin in my budget Hi lasotm, we paid a little over $3K for them to do all inspections (about 7 I think), on a double storey 42 square home. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 18Dec 09, 2021 3:25 pm shokel1975 lasotm shokel1975 We used Houspect and they were great! Very detailed reports. What was the cost? looking to incliude thin in my budget Hi lasotm, we paid a little over $3K for them to do all inspections (about 7 I think), on a double storey 42 square home. Thanks looking to build with metricon too btw - how are you finding them? Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 19Dec 09, 2021 3:34 pm Overall we were pretty happy with them - but double and triple check all upgrades in your draft contract and all floor plans.... the number of mistakes that came back to us during planning with Admin was frustrating. I really had to project manage the whole thing and be right across it. We were happy with the build, but that comes down to SS and trades.... although not so happy with plumbers... we have had a leaking powder room toilet and now a leaking upstairs shower that have required extensive repairs in multiple rooms to fix. You can follow my build thread in link below I picked up so many tips to include, and to avoid prior to building by following other M builds on this site. Re: Has anyone employed an Independent Inspector mid build? 20Dec 09, 2021 3:58 pm sifntdaz I would be discussing your intentions with your ss if you plan on using one. There may be impacts to timing and I have even heard of builders trying to charge to allow for the pleasure. sure, discuss, but only out of courtesy. They are obliged to allow you or an agent of yours on site with the appropriate notice. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Hi all, I've received the unwelcome news that our certifier (BCA Certifiers) has merged into the McKenzie Group. A quick Google revealed McKenzie is the mob that… 0 4310 I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2454 That is a really good attitude Akin to you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I do enjoy watching that tik tok inspector from Victoria but he does go a little… 12 82217 |