Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 09, 2009 4:46 pm Hi guys, I have seen quite a few people on the forum talking about building inspectors.....I can see it is more common in the eastern states but in general I am wondering.....please replace BI with Building Inspector 1. Did the BI find things you wouldn't have 2. Do you feel because the BI pointed things out the builder fixed the items 3. Do you feel if you had found them and asked the builder to fix them they would have 3. Did your builder employ a BI also. I have been told that builders use their own independant BI. So if this is the case wouldn't the builders BI be pointing out things your own BI is also pointing out. As it does not seem overly common here in Perth I have never heard any direct feedback from someone who has built and has used a BI and said well worth the money you should definately get one. So really just curious........ Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 2Jun 09, 2009 6:22 pm Things may different in WA but I know here BI from the office of fair trading are generally regarded as "toothless tigers". They will only look at things you nominate and if you don't know what to look for they aint gonna fill you in. They are supposed to be there for mainly the consumer and to try to keep the building industry honest. Generally speaking, they don't want to get the builder offside because they are afraid (even if they can see what has been done incorrectly). I think we (the public consumers) are fighting a losing battle trying to make builders do the right thing by their clients (and I'm not including unreasonable clients). Builders sadly seem to have a proclivity for trying to pull the wool over the consumers eyes...very few I come across are honest and I've had some major renovations. They have a bad reputation and deservedly so. The Office of Fair Trading has let us all down Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 3Jun 09, 2009 7:08 pm Yes to all of your questions. Our surprise was that the builder's Ind Inspector picked up more than the BI we employed. We felt sure that the builder's BI wouldn't be thorough ie how independent would they be if paid by the builder ? As a result, we will not be using our own BI for the pre-handover inspection. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 4Jun 09, 2009 7:23 pm We'll be using my dad as he's a private building inspector/surveyor. He'll be on our side, not protecting the builder, that's for sure. If anyone wants his details, I'll be happy to share. Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 5Jun 09, 2009 8:41 pm Hi, We recently completed our house build with PD (got our keys 2 weeks ago) We hired the services of a independent BI and we’re glad we did. 1. Did the BI find things you wouldn't have. Yes and lots of things. Most of them were structural as we didn’t have the right tools to check ourselves. Two examples of defects that we missed out, but identified buy our independent BI was 1 – level of slab in Master Bedroom was uneven (more than the acceptable level), 2 – sagging in the ceiling of two bedrooms. 2. Do you feel because the BI pointed things out the builder fixed the items Yes, with a report outlining the defect and what building standard it did not meet made it much easier to get the builder to fix it (in our case it was). 3. Do you feel if you had found them and asked the builder to fix them they would have Probably not. 4. Did your builder employ a BI also. Yes, but it seems they only focused on the inside of the house. There were many defects found on the outside, especially with brickwork. Have a shiny new Heywood 28! - http://burtony.blogspot.com/ Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 6Jun 09, 2009 10:27 pm Its nice to see a mix of reviews.....which is what I had initially thought. Over here I have found the builders have to build to a certain standard and as long as that standard is met then even an indipendant inspector will pass any issues and they generally like to protect each other. The BI hired by the builders have to sign off with their names and business names attached so I would think its their business on the line if they let ******* work get through.........I can see its hard to know who to trust.....I suppose if you feel confident that you could pick up the sub standard workmanship and get it fixed without a fight you could feel confident to go ahead without the BI. Re: For those who have used a building inspector..... 7Jun 09, 2009 10:56 pm We felt we did not have know enough knowledge to check everything out and so had an independent inspection at pre-plaster and would have one at pre-handover definitely Quote: 1. Did the BI find things you wouldn't have Definitely yes and some where issues which we did not even realize were issues. Quote: 2. Do you feel because the BI pointed things out the builder fixed the items Maybe - Not too sure about it. But since the BI gave the issue swith regulation references maybe it does help Quote: 3. Do you feel if you had found them and asked the builder to fix them they would have Not sure Quote: 3. Did your builder employ a BI also. Not too sure I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 1469 https://form.jotform.com/240284569218058 Please spare a moment to fill out this survey form for a project. 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