Independant Building Inspectors

PhoenixStar · Sep 14, 2007 12:54 pm

We are looking into hiring our own building inspector to double check each stage of the building process, or at least - slab, frame, and final inspection to double check that all work has been done correctly.

Does anyone know if you are legally allowed to request your own inspector? Can it be worded into the contract that you will not pay until your inspector has signed it off too? Or are the contracts locked tight with no negotiation allowed?

Has anyone done something similar? Was it beneficial. We are building with the big H (since it's being blanked out) and would like to hear your opinions?

ewan · Sep 14, 2007 1:11 pm

Yes you can hire your own inspector. There is no issue with that. and I dont think you have to put it in the building contract.

I believe its beneficial as the inspector would be working for you and if he/she spots any flaws during any of the stages you can ask the builder to fix it prior to you handing over any money.

Buggy · Sep 14, 2007 1:41 pm

Don't know about other states. In NSW you're legally obliged to either pay council fees or your own licenced private certifier to certify each major stages of the building process to ensure the work structurally sound and meet the building standards.

oznow · Sep 14, 2007 2:09 pm

I have talked to some potential builders in ACT, and yes, you could have your own private inspector.

Or in addition to the builder's inspector, you could even hire another inspector to inspect on the building.
Ozn

matt walker · Sep 14, 2007 2:23 pm

I though so:

http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=2891&highlight=independant

Matt

ahuang · Sep 16, 2007 10:27 am

I think it will be better if you could inform your builder about that in advance. It will also remind them that you will get some professional advice, so be more careful with the work!! :lol:

ricci · Sep 17, 2007 1:14 pm

I just spoke to a friend at work who used to be in the building industry and he said private inspectors are a waste of time at frame stage as the council certifier has to check for the same things as a private inspector would.

However there is benefit when coming close to handover. - Just another opinion I suppose.

matt walker · Sep 17, 2007 1:47 pm

ricci

I just spoke to a friend at work who used to be in the building industry and he said private inspectors are a waste of time at frame stage as the council certifier has to check for the same things as a private inspector would.

However there is benefit when coming close to handover. - Just another opinion I suppose.

Geez!!

I wish I could show you my inspection....I reckon you would change your mind then! :shock:

2 inspections are worthwhile IMO.

1 at preplaster and the other at handover...

Just another opinion though. :lol:

Matt

Adrian B · Sep 17, 2007 1:51 pm

ricci

I just spoke to a friend at work who used to be in the building industry and he said private inspectors are a waste of time at frame stage as the council certifier has to check for the same things as a private inspector would.

However there is benefit when coming close to handover. - Just another opinion I suppose.

If you know what you are looking for, then maybe they are not required.
I had a good idea, plus had people in the know, so I was ok.

But as Matt said, he has found it beneficial, and the report he has seems to have justified his expense.

ahuang · Sep 17, 2007 1:53 pm

From what I heard, you only get council certifier if you are owner build, most project home builders hire their own certifiers, that's where the problem is.

These certifiers are paid by builder and gets hundreds of jobs from the builder every year, if there's any "non major/critical" problem found, if you are the certifier, would you point it out in the official report (which makes the builder look bad, risk losing your other jobs for the coming years, ...etc) and inform this poor client who knows nothing about the industry and only build once in his/her life time?

As a normal person, you will probably just skip the report, and verbally ask the builder to fix it, since 95% of the client won't notice/understand it any way.

I am in IT and have seen it happening, and won't be surprise to see it in construction as well.

I would prefer to spend a few hundred and get someone on my side with professional knowledge/skills to help me.

matt walker · Sep 17, 2007 1:58 pm

Adrian B

ricci

But as Matt said, he has found it beneficial, and the report he has seems to have justified his expense.

More than justified...

ewan · Sep 17, 2007 3:42 pm

I invested $500 for my inspector and he managed to get at least $15,000 worth of extras in compensation for me from builder. In my case I gained a lot more than I put in. :lol:

Buggy · Sep 17, 2007 3:54 pm

ewan

I invested $500 for my inspector and he managed to get at least $15,000 worth of extras in compensation for me from builder. In my case I gained a lot more than I put in. :lol:

Good to hear. lol.

matt walker · Sep 17, 2007 6:21 pm

Ewan,

for the sake of the audience are you able to say the name of your builder?

Matt

natbut · Sep 18, 2007 10:44 am

ewan

I invested $500 for my inspector and he managed to get at least $15,000 worth of extras in compensation for me from builder. In my case I gained a lot more than I put in. :lol:

Can I ask who you used? I'm looking into this at the moment.

matt walker · Sep 18, 2007 11:05 am

natbut,

who are you building with?

Matt

natbut · Sep 18, 2007 11:08 am

Rossdale

matt walker · Sep 18, 2007 11:12 am

OK ... a new name to me!

It is not the same builder as Ewan if that helps!

Matt

ewan · Sep 18, 2007 6:10 pm

I dont want to mention any names as it was a once off issue.

And in the end the problem was fixed

natbut · Sep 18, 2007 6:16 pm

I think a bit of confusion, I was wanting to know who you used to inspect the building, not your builder.