Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 61Nov 05, 2009 12:00 pm Thanks, mickeyb! Actually, I never thought that we'd need to start them that early, so can you please add some explanation as to why would I need the first one you mentioned (Slab Boxing & Pour)? To me, this reads as if I need to get my inspector there twice - first time after the framework has been installed, and the second time after the slab has already been poured? Or is it before Sorry, just trying to get my head around this !! Thanks! My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 62Nov 05, 2009 1:17 pm Whether you use one at each stage, or just at the end, I reckon it's wise to let your SS know asap you intend to use one. Can't hurt, plus it might make them a little more vigilant during the build... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 63Nov 05, 2009 9:43 pm hi, ive noticed most posts are from victoria so far and im guessing you guys have different development rules to NSW. is anyone in NSW using an inspector? i was under the impression that the PCA's (principal certifying authority) role is to inspect the construction at different stages and provide written compliance before proceeding to the next stage? they check the construction works to ensure it complies with the relevelt australian standards? this is an independant body who you can also get advise if you are unsure of works. every house being built needs a PCA and you need a PCA in order to get a CC (construction certificate) in the first instance. have i missed something? should i have an inspector in addition to the PCA? thanks. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 64Nov 05, 2009 10:16 pm Lex Thanks, mickeyb! Actually, I never thought that we'd need to start them that early, so can you please add some explanation as to why would I need the first one you mentioned (Slab Boxing & Pour)? To me, this reads as if I need to get my inspector there twice - first time after the framework has been installed, and the second time after the slab has already been poured? Or is it before Sorry, just trying to get my head around this !! Thanks! With the slab, the inspector checks it twice before the concrete in poured this is called Framework/Boxing, they check this to make sure the slab is going to be in the right position and that all pipe work is correct. Then they inspect once the concrete is poured, they do this to check that the slab is level very important if your going to be tiling and also that everything is still in the right place. Most inspectors do the two inspections for the slab that is why the cost of the slab inspection cost more than the others. Our inspector found out which company was pouring our slab and rang them to get dates so he knows when to go and inspect just in case the builder forgets to tell him. He also asked the company to call him if there is going to be any changes. Our inspector is great; we gave him details of our CSC and he now knows more about what’s happening with our site then we do. We received our site start date from him and the day the slab is going to be poured, our builder hasn’t told us yet. We haven’t meet or spoken to our SS/PM but our inspector has a few times now. Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 65Nov 05, 2009 10:41 pm Thanks, mickeyb. Wow. How much are you paying him ??? Is it still considered that he is "only" doing the one inspection? It seems to me taht this has grown into him project managing the job full on. Is it the Big Kev??? I read so may great comments about some incredible Kev guy kicking the Melbourne builders. So far I haven't found a single comment about a Sydney equivalent (: Lucky Melbourne people! Anyway, I managed to figure out (during the course of today;) that the slab inspection should be before the pour, and after everything else is in place. But I didnt know that the after is also required !! What about your builder's inspectors (the PCA)? Are they also coming twice? Can you call the PCA directly and discuss the findings of inspections with them?? In our case, it's us who are paying them (totally hidden of course in the contract price.. actually, hang on, I HOPE they are not going to charge for this on top!!) ... and in our case, we have "applied" for them to be our PCA (like many people here, I was quickly tricked into signing, under impression that I'm signing council dev application !!) ... and never managed to pull the plug and get us out of there (once I realised what happened - a very sad story indeed and I will forever regret it). Anyway, do you happen to know anyone on this site that used a really good and honest ( ?!?!? ) own inspector and that hasn't already "left" the H1 forums ... Our slab will be poured early next eweek, maybe Tue or Wed latest. Is it too late to get my own inspector??? I know this is too many questions, but as I said - I need HELP My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 66Nov 06, 2009 2:47 am Yes, but if building company selects the inspector they want that i don`t want ,can i get my own inspector? Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 67Nov 06, 2009 4:47 am matt1985 Yes, but if building company selects the inspector they want that i don`t want ,can i get my own inspector? Yes you can get your own independant inspector, just let your builder know that you are getting one, you the the right to have one. Must builders are fine with it. Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 70Nov 06, 2009 3:25 pm Lex Oh, nothing yet? Anyone? Hi Lex, Hopefully the posts below would be of some help viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23853&p=314785&hilit=sydney+building+inspector#p314785 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=6858&p=280980&hilit=sydney+building+inspector#p280980 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19273&p=244142&hilit=sydney+building+inspector#p244142 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12730&p=150661&hilit=sydney+building+inspector#p150661 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10821&p=123333&hilit=sydney+building+inspector#p123333 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=6858&hilit=sydney+building+inspector All the best with the slab! Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 71Nov 06, 2009 8:35 pm Oh, thank you very much, bp!! My many searches returned lots of stuff, but in the end none of them told me what I was looking for (I must have a faulty Search button ) In one of these links I even found a whole separate topic on ------ Big Kev!!!! The name of the topic is Sydney equivalent of "Kevin" - Building Inspectors - hahahahahaha it's like written by me (the thread started way back in May 08!!!). So, today I was Googling and reading H1 at the same time (and calling around) ... many, many, many of the listed inspectors only do either PPIs or the whole PCA process. Eventually I got in contact with someone ... Anyway, I came across the H&K Ryan as well (he has some quite honourable mentionings on h1, but haven't yet read the whole lot), but didn't call them first! And how did people go with Doric PPI inspectors (it's on Souties' side )? And that's basically it! Thanks again bp, appreciate your help!!! Cheers all ... My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 72Nov 07, 2009 2:52 pm Hi all, Just out of curiousity, which building surveyors do you think is better the local councils or the private company ones. If you had a choose which one would you choose? I am thinking of getting an independent building inspection for all stages when our construction starts, but from looking at houses around our estate it looks like our builder uses the local council. If local council building surveyors are good then we might skip the slab and frame stage inspections. What are your thoughts?? Has anyone had the local councl as their building surveyor?? Thanks in advance for your answers. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 73Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm Polo ... which building surveyors do you think is better the local councils or the private company ones. If you had a choose which one would you choose? I am thinking of getting an independent building inspection for all stages when our construction starts, but from looking at houses around our estate it looks like our builder uses the local council. If local council building surveyors are good then we might skip the slab and frame stage inspections. What are your thoughts?? Has anyone had the local councl as their building surveyor??... If you are talking about selecting the PCA (compulsory), you can select Council if you wish. If you are talking about the second, "independent" building inspector (ie. the one employed directly by you), you can't use your local Council (even though individual staff are qualified surveyors). You will have to use a private surveyor/builder. It's not clear from your post what makes you think that 'from looking at houses around our estate it looks like our builder uses the local council'. I never thought that the builder would offer to employ the local Council - they usually have a few private certifying companies which they will "offer" you (or just one). Maybe 'estates' have different rules. Our builder hasn't even mentioned the option of local Council. Who is better? I tend to believe that a local Council would be more independent and vigilant about each inspection. At least you should have greater visibility of what is going on and when - unlike with builder's PCA. This is from own experience - unfortunately, ours was a case of 'learn on your own mistakes'. Finally, a job is as good as the person doing it. You may get a Council's inspector who misses more problems than the builder's PCA, and vice versa. So, if you also employ your own, second inspector, at least you know that you've tried. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 74Nov 08, 2009 11:15 pm Hi Lex, Thanks for your kind reply. I'm building in the northern suburb of Melbourne and our local council offers building surveying services, which my builder seems to use. I'm trying to find out whether the building surveyor from the council are more stringent in its assessment than a private building surveying firm because after reading some threads and blogs on this forum and internet it seems some private building surveying firms are not careful YKWIM e.g after receiving certification from the builder's building surveyor people hire their own building inspector to assess and then finds out that part of the frame is not done according to the engineering plans etc. I'm seeking to find out if anyone who had their local council as their builders chosen building surveyor, did you or your own independent building inspector find any issues/defects after the builder's building surveyor certifiacations. Pretty much would you trust the local council building surveyors' work or should you hire an independent building inspector just in case. If local council building surveyors are good than I might skip hiring an independent building inspector for the slab and frame stage. I hope what I'm asking makes sense LOL. Thanks in advance. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 75Nov 09, 2009 6:57 am Yeah, of course it makes sense! When it comes to details during any of the required inspections, somehow I tend to think that it all comes down to the individual doing the inspection (ie. one person can notice more defects and/or IS bothered with all the minor defects, while another person doesn't take care that much). So, if I could step into the same river again, I would definitely go for the Council, no questions asked. Somehow I think you'd have more power and visibility, and I wouldn't be that "scared" that their inspector would brush me off with ridiculous excuses and explanations, plus I would be more "free" to complain about them if I notice they haven't done an inspections or anything else. In fact, when we realised that we "applied" for a builder's PCA (a very rushed signature with words "quick, sign here, we need to get this into council" - we called Council, they were fantastic, gave (very cheap) prices, called CSO (who wouldn't explain anything) etc etc, but the problem was that our Tender was going to expire and I didn't understand that it doesn't affect the PCA process, ... etc... and I didn't take any action - a decision I will live to regret. So, GO for it, because once you're in construction, there is no changing PCAs. I even think that builders themselves might sometimes "suffer" from "having to" keep their r/ship with their PCAs as good as possible. If PCA stuffs up, the builder then needs to question them - I imagine not so pleasant. But if it was an independent inspector (Council), the builder would question them easier (I would think!). And, on a lighter note, some wouldn't mind to have a bit of a go when it comes to local government officials hehehehe, it goes with their jobs ... My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 76Nov 09, 2009 10:35 am Geez, I got carried away with my own case, so I forgot to mention this. IF (and only if ) your builder is actually suggesting to use the Council as the PCA, I would be cautious and would go elsewhere hehehhe, ie. I would go contra to what the builder is suggesting (but that's just me, in my own circumstances). On the other hand, there may be a good reason in your particular case as to why the builder would be suggesting (or using) the Council - eg. if you are building in an estate which, I assume, would come with many special/additional rules or conditions (unlike separate private houses), it may be easier and faster to work directly with the council - so this may work to your advantage as well (not only to builder's). My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 77Nov 10, 2009 12:16 pm Thanks Lex for your replies much appreciated. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 78Nov 13, 2009 10:33 am No problems. I think this topic is important and would like to see more of other people's experiences with using own (independent) inspectors. How are the builders treating this and the inspectors? Do they give you a go for real, or do they 'welcome' your inspector, but then just ignore their reports and don't give you enough time and ask for a payment instead? Do they ask for a green card and special conditions?? Do the inspectors pass on this cost to you? And what about builder's inspectors? Do they actually come out to site every time ?? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 79Nov 13, 2009 11:50 am mickeyb With the slab, the inspector checks it twice before the concrete in poured this is called Framework/Boxing, they check this to make sure the slab is going to be in the right position and that all pipe work is correct. Then they inspect once the concrete is poured, they do this to check that the slab is level very important if your going to be tiling and also that everything is still in the right place. Most inspectors do the two inspections for the slab that is why the cost of the slab inspection cost more than the others. Our inspector found out which company was pouring our slab and rang them to get dates so he knows when to go and inspect just in case the builder forgets to tell him. He also asked the company to call him if there is going to be any changes. Our inspector is great; we gave him details of our CSC and he now knows more about what’s happening with our site then we do. We received our site start date from him and the day the slab is going to be poured, our builder hasn’t told us yet. We haven’t meet or spoken to our SS/PM but our inspector has a few times now. mickyb - who are you using and how much are they charging if you dont mind me asking? please PM me if you want to keep it private. i'm building in SE Vic (Berwick) soon and will also be building with big M (waiting on final contracts now) so i'd like to look at organising an inspector soon. Re: Did you use an independant Building Inspector? 80Nov 13, 2009 2:14 pm Yes, this looks like a good inspector! Still waiting to find one in Sydney, though ... might end up a skeleton waiting My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2282 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 4763 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 45568 |