Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 13, 2010 1:15 pm Hi Everyone, We're building a new house - expecting to have a slab by the end of the week. I just wanted to gauge opinions on obtaining our own independent building inspections at various stages through the build process. Has anyone else done this? Would you class it as an essential thing to do? and if so, at what stages did you have the inspections done? I know its a personal choice, just wondering what the general consensus on the issue is to help us make a decision! Cheers, Lauren&Richard http://www.laurenandrichard.blogspot.com - building M3tric0n Newhaven Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 2Sep 13, 2010 1:20 pm I found it invaluable. the inspector picked up much more than we would have. for a single storey home we had an inspection at pre-plaster stage and then pre-handover. you can have them at all the stages (ie all the stages you make progress payments on) if you like. But we were recommended those two as an adequate minimum. I think there is one more that is recommended for a double storey home, but can't remember what stage it is. "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 3Sep 13, 2010 1:44 pm Hi, My last build I only had a final inspection. With this build I am planning on having three inspections, at frame, pre-plaster and a final inspection. If you get an inspection at the frame stage and any defects are picked up then the inspector still verify that they have been fixed at the pre plaster stage as well. Michelle House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 4Sep 14, 2010 9:02 am Thanks for replying guys, its much appreciated. I think we'll go ahead and organise it. Cheers. Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 5Sep 14, 2010 11:33 am Our inspector gave this recommendation: For a waffle pod slab: Frame stage and completion. For a raft slab: Pre-pour slab inspection (must be pre-pour, it's no use inspecting a poured slab), frame stage and completion. He said there's not much benefit to inspections between frame and completion. The reason he recommends a pre-pour slab inspection for raft slabs is that they are complex enough that they usually have issues. Waffle pods are simple though and generally don't have problems. Metricon Riva 33 - http://herlihy-riva.blogspot.com Site start 15/03/2010 - Handover 23/12/2010 9 months and 8 days (284 calendar days) from site start to handover Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 6Sep 14, 2010 12:42 pm Hi, The inspector I use recommends three inspections (frame, pre plaster and final inspection). I guess it all depends on your budget. Having a pre plaster inspection also enables the inspector to verify that any defects picked up at the frame stage inspection are fixed and done properly. If a lot of major defects ones are identified at the frame stage then I would include the pre plaster inspection to make sure these have been correctly fixed before problems are covered up. Michelle House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Re: Independent Building Inspections at building milestones 7Sep 14, 2010 3:25 pm Hi Michelle, that makes a lot of sense... I figure the extra $$ its going to cost on top of what we're already spending is peanuts for the piece of mind, and getting it right in the first place. Thanks also btherl, your house is coming along quickly I see from your blog!! http://www.laurenandrichard.blogspot.com You have mandatory building inspections and privately engaged building inspections. The difference between the two comes down to inspecting the building so it's safe and… 3 18058 That is a really good attitude Akin to you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I do enjoy watching that tik tok inspector from Victoria but he does go a little… 12 81847 It is true that a builder can ignore your independent inspection report as it is not part of the contractual arrangement but that is stupid because he cannot avoid fixing… 9 46834 |