Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Private inspector 3Mar 31, 2022 1:01 pm I'm new to the building game and hired a private inspector to inspect pre slab and I agree with kippers01. In my contract it states that builder will do their best to fix any defects but I still have to pay the progress payment and can't delay. So in essence (the way I feel about it), the only point in getting an inspector is to see how good/bad the builder's work is. They really don't have to fix it if they don't want to and not much we can do about it. I may be wrong but that's how I'm currently seeing it... Re: Private inspector 4Mar 31, 2022 2:18 pm its in the builders interest to fix these issues. the first step is to discuss the report with your builder and get an understandning of what they intend to do to resolve the issue. Gold standard would be to get a response in writing with photo evidence of the rectified items. Dont be anal about it if you don't have to be - i.e. one of my tap fittings required a larger than standard notch out to be made in a stud due to how everything was located. on the report it reads alarming. its not. Its on a stud in a non supporting internal wall. Its fine. If in doubt have a chat to the inspector about the items. Its their job to highlight these to you. How you deal with them and what priority they are to you is up to you. SO chat with your builder, discuss the items. agree on the fix. If necessary get some pics of the rectification of the key items for your records. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Private inspector 5Mar 31, 2022 3:04 pm stanks We've just had our 3rd stage of inspections (Pre-plaster). The first 2 inspections went well. Only reasonably minor things, but nothing that I thought was worrying. For Pre-plaster however, there have been quite a few items identifed that are concerning. Split timber, wonky walls, missing nails, unsupported beams or trusses, basically items that would $ to remediate after the fact. When I see such a report and as a paying customer, where do I stand with regards to having my builder fix those defects? Making them aware of the defects noted by my inspector is one thing, but having the builder remediate them is another thing. I don't want to be expected to accept the build as is (and be expected to pay) when there are know defects. I mean, I can of course ask the builder, but where do I stand with regards to them not proceeding until those Pre-plaster items are addressed? Noname & Kippers gave you some really good advice but here is my 2 cents. It depends how bad the issues are. Ie I have seen the entire wrong timber used ( contract specified treated and it was untreated plus a million other major defects) Kippers correctly says that under the HIA contract you have to pay, however there is a loophole but you need to go legal. What you can do is issue them with a breach of contract with 30 days to rectify, but this is the nuclear option, because if they don't rectify you can terminate the contract, and this is definitely not something you want to do. I have been through this as a client and it's not pretty. So I would be sticking with Kippers and Noname's sensible advice cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Private inspector 6Mar 31, 2022 3:55 pm Ashington Homes It depends how bad the issues are. Ie I have seen the entire wrong timber used ( contract specified treated and it was untreated plus a million other major defects) haha there is always some chippie that thinks they can get away with it, even so brazen to use non structural timber here and there and leave the "non structural" stamp visible Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Private inspector 7Apr 01, 2022 9:22 am Thanks for the advice all. After I got the report, I was a little taken aback by many of the items flagged in red. BUT, on speaking with the inspector AND my Brother-in-law, both said that the defects noted were usually typical of a build at this stage. That's not to say we accept the defects, but more about getting the perspective that its not as bad as what we think it is. There are things in there that I don't really care about, but others that I do. I've spoken with my builder who was on-site yesterday afternoon addressing the issues, but what they've fixed, I don't yet know. Re: Private inspector 8Apr 01, 2022 9:55 am stanks Thanks for the advice all. After I got the report, I was a little taken aback by many of the items flagged in red. BUT, on speaking with the inspector AND my Brother-in-law, both said that the defects noted were usually typical of a build at this stage. That's not to say we accept the defects, but more about getting the perspective that its not as bad as what we think it is. There are things in there that I don't really care about, but others that I do. I've spoken with my builder who was on-site yesterday afternoon addressing the issues, but what they've fixed, I don't yet know. yeah the reports read like the sky is falling and often lead to builder/client friction. Glad you spoke to the inspector and a family member that could put it into perspective for you. Just be careful to not underestimate the importance of some of the items that you may fall in the "i don't care" bucket. Some basic items can be deceptively important, but you can always get a view from your inspector as to the seriousness of anything that you're not 100% sure about. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Private inspector 9Apr 01, 2022 12:55 pm Noname stanks Thanks for the advice all. After I got the report, I was a little taken aback by many of the items flagged in red. BUT, on speaking with the inspector AND my Brother-in-law, both said that the defects noted were usually typical of a build at this stage. That's not to say we accept the defects, but more about getting the perspective that its not as bad as what we think it is. There are things in there that I don't really care about, but others that I do. I've spoken with my builder who was on-site yesterday afternoon addressing the issues, but what they've fixed, I don't yet know. yeah the reports read like the sky is falling and often lead to builder/client friction. Glad you spoke to the inspector and a family member that could put it into perspective for you. Just be careful to not underestimate the importance of some of the items that you may fall in the "i don't care" bucket. Some basic items can be deceptively important, but you can always get a view from your inspector as to the seriousness of anything that you're not 100% sure about. It's the things like the odd noggin here or there that might have a knot, or some nails sticking out in some places. They're usually the things that don't really have any impact to cosmetically or structurally, but they're added into the report, and those are the ones where they don't really bother me. But the points about walls out of plumb, they're the ones I advise the builder are the important ones that I care about. If you already have a contract, is the inspection cost stated in there? If not they would be forced to issue you a variation which you could of course object to. 12 25866 I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2271 Hi everyone, Looking for some advise. We are about to build an above ground pool in our backyard. There is a private sewer line running under the pool at 1.6m… 0 11760 |