Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 24, 2009 4:07 pm I have just booked one, and gave my Supervisor a courtesy call to let him know he will be attending our PCI, and I think he's annoyed! We are building with a highly regarded builder, and we don't have any real concerns, but I just think we are spending a lot of money on this house, so I want an "expert" to tell me it's all in order. What are your thoughts on this? Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 2Sep 24, 2009 7:11 pm We are going to use one too but our builder is fine with it. Tried to tell us they have an independant inspector but I said yeah but you pay them!! SHould be using them in a few weeks. Forum thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22300 Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 3Sep 24, 2009 7:42 pm It would be good to put that column in, "Used builder provided independant inspection" if you still can. penny77 yeah but you pay them!! Technically you are paying in the contract price... There is a conflict of interest but I have enough faith in the professionalism of the building inspector (that I could call through the yellow pages) to do a proper inspection. From the first insp. we had on the frame, I am quite satisfied with the defects they found and I have trouble justifying another few thousand for my own just in case corruption is rampant. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 4Sep 24, 2009 8:23 pm We'll be using one for each and every step of the way. My dad Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 5Sep 24, 2009 8:31 pm aaron4erin We'll be using one for each and every step of the way. My dad Thats really lucky Erin!! I'm wondering whether I should ask one of my builder friends to come through the house with me when its time to check the stages... unfortunately i won't be able to afford an independant one! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 7Sep 24, 2009 8:53 pm aaron4erin Yep, extremely lucky. Will finally be interested in hearing him talk about work when he's talking about our build Will your dad be providing an actual written report Erin? Or will he just be pointing out to you guys what needs attention and then you'll bring that up with your builder? viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 8Sep 24, 2009 8:57 pm I'm not sure Jodie, we haven't actually discussed that. I guess he'll basically just point stuff out to us, but if he feels we need a written report he'll do it. Fingers crossed Henley do a spot on job and he doesn't find any issues Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 9Sep 25, 2009 12:01 am Quote: unfortunately i won't be able to afford an independant one! A final inspection will cost you $400, I am sure you can find the money someway especially if you start saving now. There is always money leftover to do the paving, landscaping etc. This will be the best money you will spend, especially if you have concerns. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 10Sep 25, 2009 12:39 am buildingwithhamra Quote: unfortunately i won't be able to afford an independant one! A final inspection will cost you $400, I am sure you can find the money someway especially if you start saving now. There is always money leftover to do the paving, landscaping etc. This will be the best money you will spend, especially if you have concerns. No, seriously. I doubt id be able to afford it! As a single parent i have to watch where every penny goes unfortunately. If the build goes awry (fingers crossed it doesn't), then i'll probably arrange to beg/borrow so that i can have an independent inspector, otherwise i doubt it will happen. On a good note tho, i deal with several builders through my work (we handle insurance claims), so i can always ask one of them to have a walk through with me viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 11Sep 25, 2009 10:52 am We were having issues with our builder that just weren't getting resolved or answered. They took note when we got a building inspector in. For us, it was an expensive outlay, but well worth every penny. If your house build is coming along with no issues and a good relationship is had with the builder, plus you have a couple of contacts that can do a walk through, that should be fine. But if you start having problems, you may need to try and find some money for an inspection. Good luck .. exciting times ahead. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 12Sep 25, 2009 1:08 pm How much would I have to estimate for an independent inspector? What is usually in this kind of service included? Does he act completely on my behalf (creating a written report, stating clearly all problems referring to laws/regulations/standards...including photos....) including requests to allow "deeper" inspections in case of doubts or obvious problems? Is he arguing on my behalf with the site supervisor to get things done correctly or can I just expect a report which is the base for my further steps against the builder in case of discovered problems? Even when the builder may not be really happy to have one of those inspectors on site, are their claims or reports normally "accepted" by the builder, knowing that it's correct what they point out? Having read a bit through the forum it seems it's a good idea to have one of them at least making sure that the promised "Australian Standards" are fulfilled?! As a European having lived quite a long time in South America I don't have the right sense what to expect here. I realized standards are often (not always) far away from German ones but similar to those from South America. While a bricklayer earns for example in Brazil 20$/day I can "accept or tolerate" some lousy work but rates here in OZ are similar to those from Europe so I am not sure if I would go too far expecting perfect work. Any more thoughts, advices or recommendations regarding an independent inspector, his quality of service, the power you have later having a report from him...? Best regards, Christian Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 13Sep 25, 2009 10:47 pm Quote: How much would I have to estimate for an independent inspector? These are quotes I got recently from an inpector in Adelaide, Footing is approx $250, Framing $350, Brickwork $300, Final inspection is approx $400 Quote: Does he act completely on my behalf (creating a written report, stating clearly all problems referring to laws/regulations/standards...including photos....) Quote: What is usually in this kind of service included? This is copy/pasted from my building inspector The pre handover inspection includes many items; these include, to name a few, - compliance with plans - compliance with Australian Standards - General finish of home, including painting, gyprocing, plumbing, electrical - Brickwork (external) - windows, doors - 2nd fix carpentry - roof and guttering (external) Quote: Is he arguing on my behalf with the site supervisor to get things done correctly or can I just expect a report which is the base for my further steps against the builder in case of discovered problems You just get the report, Quote: including requests to allow "deeper" inspections in case of doubts or obvious problems YES I am only getting the final inspection done, and I have specific concerns that he will look into for me. Quote: are their claims or reports normally "accepted" by the builder, knowing that it's correct what they point out? Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 14Sep 26, 2009 9:17 am Im building in SA, can you recommend your building inspector? Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 15Sep 26, 2009 10:43 am clearviewruss Im building in SA, can you recommend your building inspector? I havent actually used him yet, but he has replied to my emails, I got his name from the forums here. Kris Jones for Blue Square Developments email: info@bluesq.com.au web: www.bluesq.com.au mobile: 0401 221 836 Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 16Sep 26, 2009 11:11 am Sierra penny77 yeah but you pay them!! Technically you are paying in the contract price... There is a conflict of interest but I have enough faith in the professionalism of the building inspector (that I could call through the yellow pages) to do a proper inspection. Yes, but the building company selects the inspector they want, and the inspector invoices them, not you. This, I'm afraid, is not conducive for them to be truly independent, and historically, this situation leads to the inspector towing the company line in order to receive more work. You only have to think about the problems exposed in the property valuing industry earlier this year to see that this is not an ideal situation. Our independent inspector found a number of issues with the builders having not met the standards that appear to have been missed by the building company's inspectors. And that at frame stage. Two of these issues directly impact the structural integrity of the brick work. Pfiff Finally making progress again, with a clothesline (yippee) and some much needed little things being attended to over the holidays. 40 C on New Year's eve? We love our a/c! Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 17Sep 26, 2009 8:50 pm buildingwithhamra Quote: How much would I have to estimate for an independent inspector? These are quotes I got recently from an inpector in Adelaide, Footing is approx $250, Framing $350, Brickwork $300, Final inspection is approx $400 Quote: Does he act completely on my behalf (creating a written report, stating clearly all problems referring to laws/regulations/standards...including photos....) Quote: What is usually in this kind of service included? This is copy/pasted from my building inspector The pre handover inspection includes many items; these include, to name a few, - compliance with plans - compliance with Australian Standards - General finish of home, including painting, gyprocing, plumbing, electrical - Brickwork (external) - windows, doors - 2nd fix carpentry - roof and guttering (external) Quote: Is he arguing on my behalf with the site supervisor to get things done correctly or can I just expect a report which is the base for my further steps against the builder in case of discovered problems You just get the report, Quote: including requests to allow "deeper" inspections in case of doubts or obvious problems YES I am only getting the final inspection done, and I have specific concerns that he will look into for me. Quote: are their claims or reports normally "accepted" by the builder, knowing that it's correct what they point out? Thanks for the detailed answer. Although I even didn't sign a building contract yet I am slowly "getting organized". Could other users recommend inspectors in Melbourne (I am going to build in Point Cook)? I am also thinking to get only the final inspection done, maybe other users could shortly sum up which things to check carefully during all previous inspections? I am not a tradesman but would say I have as an engineer (and a trade done overseas 20 years ago) common understanding of their work but a lack of detail knowledge and experience in regards to "Australian Standards" and quality of workmanship. To be honest, some stuff I have seen in display homes didn't impress me and I thought they should have been done differently and more accurate. Did all of that work pass the "Australian Standard" inspection? I don't want to start a discussion about that, just based on other experiences getting a better understanding what often is done incorrectly and where to have a closer look. Thanks, Christian Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 18Sep 26, 2009 9:04 pm Hi Christian, The most important faults picked by my building inspector at the frame stage would no longer have been evident by the final inspection, being covered by the bricks and the plaster. Resulting problems would probably not start becoming evident until the house no longer is in warranty. A few hundred dollars, in the grand scheme of a few hundred thousand dollars, is a small amount to ensure that all is done properly. As well, by the final inspection, some repairs simply become too expensive and too time consuming. In this forum, as I recall, we have had reports, for example, of incorrect room sizes that, having been discovered at the end of the build process, only elicit a small refund rather than a rebuild. I'd encourage the use of independent inspectors at the end of each major stage. KRs Pfiff Pfiff Finally making progress again, with a clothesline (yippee) and some much needed little things being attended to over the holidays. 40 C on New Year's eve? We love our a/c! Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 19Sep 26, 2009 9:16 pm I think before you get set on using an inspector you need to see how good your SS is. I was dead set for getting an inspector and I even booked one and then I was on site checking out my frame and the framers came back and were measuring lots of things, mind you this is at 5pm on a Friday... and it turns out that the fascia was laid wrong sot he brickies bricked to that and anyway the wall was slightly out on one side of the garage which meant moving a beam, but my SS was onto it already and I didn't even have time to notice it... I'm rambling cos I've had a few drinks, but I seriously trust my SS, he is fantastic and I am very lucky, but if you dont' trust your SS or don't agree with him then get an inspection done! 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 20Sep 26, 2009 11:28 pm I totally trust our SS, he is known in the industry to be pedantic and persnickety, but I have still booked an independent inspector. Why? We are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars building our "forever" house, and to me it's worth $500 for an expert to tell me it's all as it should be (or not, as the case may be!!). I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2264 Plasterboard Gyprock is very popular as a reveal liner these days. You need to provide a way of supporting it, we use a modified timber reveal or bracket. You will be… 1 4743 I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 45547 |