Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Independent inspection or not? 21Mar 13, 2011 12:26 pm Hi Guys, We are also planning to get an independent inspection done, only 2 initially (Roof & PCI) but if any serious concerns arise from 1st one may do a 3rd. We are using Doug Coombes http://www.asbc.com.au/pdf/members_cv/cv_dougcoombes.pdf who is also used by a number of legal firms in the Hills Area when things go very bad & solicitors need an expert in the construction field. Neville Got a life, just can't find it! Re: Independent inspection or not? 22Mar 13, 2011 4:42 pm I am using an inspector for the final handover stage, I feel bad that I didn't get it before plaster but my SS didn't really communicate when these things were happening. I'm doing it for peace of mind and I really don't think the brick work is up to standard; I kind of want someone who PD will respond to and someone who knows what they are looking for. Re: Independent inspection or not? 23Mar 18, 2011 6:50 pm I received this as part of the Builders Registration Board eNewsletter March 2011 and thought I'd copy it here. It's a free publication so I think it's OK to copy and paste; Allowing Access for Inspections The Board would like to remind builders about their obligations under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the Act) to allow owners and independent building inspectors reasonable access to inspect home building work. Section 26 of the Act 'Access for inspection of building work' provides that a builder under a contract, or a person acting on behalf of the builder, must not prevent the owner or an authorised person from inspecting the home building work to which the contract relates. This applies if the owner or authorised person is acting in accordance with the contract and such provisions are stipulated in the contract. A provision in a contract that prohibits or restricts inspection of home building work is void. Builders can restrict inspections to occur during normal working hours and can decline inspections that would unreasonably impede or interfere with the work being carried out. However, if the owner or an authorised person requests to conduct a building inspection during the builder's normal working hours and such an inspection does not interfere with the building work, then the builder should not prevent the inspection from taking place. Re: Independent inspection or not? 24Mar 19, 2011 9:39 pm Hi there, We spoke to our SS about using an independent inspector for PCI the other day and he suggested that we get the house inspected a week before PCI, obtain the report then show him the report a week later during PCI. From experience, do you guys think it's better to get the house inspected before PCI as our SS suggested or during the PCI (with SS and the independent inspector being there) ? Thanks in advance Re: Independent inspection or not? 25Mar 20, 2011 9:12 am glockenspiel Hi there, We spoke to our SS about using an independent inspector for PCI the other day and he suggested that we get the house inspected a week before PCI, obtain the report then show him the report a week later during PCI. From experience, do you guys think it's better to get the house inspected before PCI as our SS suggested or during the PCI (with SS and the independent inspector being there) ? Thanks in advance My SS suggested the same thing to me and the independant inspector at the first inspection,it actually gives the builder more time to fix any issues(the inspector will call/email the SS on your behalf with a list of issues to be looked into) and makes the PCI/settlement process smoother for you and the builder/SS. Re: Independent inspection or not? 26Mar 21, 2011 12:51 pm Thanks Phillshz! Did your inspector send the report and talk to your builder on your behalf? The independent inspector that I spoke to said that he would send the report to me within 24-48 hours and I can then forward the report to my builder. May be I should ask him to send the report to the builder as well... Re: Independent inspection or not? 27Mar 21, 2011 3:26 pm glockenspiel Thanks Phillshz! Did your inspector send the report and talk to your builder on your behalf? The independent inspector that I spoke to said that he would send the report to me within 24-48 hours and I can then forward the report to my builder. May be I should ask him to send the report to the builder as well... Hey glockenspiel, My inspector emailed the report to me only. After the inspection the SS and inspector chatted with me and thats when the inspector told me to email it to the builder/SS if anything needed attention,the SS seemed ok with that. The inspection was too detailed for me so i rang the inspector the next day to guide me through it and he said he would forward the report and also speak to the SS on my behalf if i wished,but the only 2 items mentioned are borderline nit picking(at least i know why he has a good rep) so i let one slide and one i checked my self the next day and deemed it ok with me and left it at that. If any items are mentioned at PCI, ill be a bit more picky Re: Independent inspection or not? 28Apr 10, 2011 9:58 pm Independent inspection booked for Tuesday at frame stage. Be interesting to see what he finds. Re: Independent inspection or not? 29Apr 14, 2011 9:44 am We are considering getting 2 independent inspections. One just as the bricks are done and one just before PC. Is it worth getting them done? And does anyone have any recommendations of who we should use or how much we should pay? Cheers, "I would never expect anyone to do something that I would not do myself" http://www.squeakbuilds.blogspot.com Custom Designer home. - Builder to be determined Re: Independent inspection or not? 30Apr 14, 2011 1:29 pm I've hired an inspector and he recomened 4 inspections: 1. Brickwork, wall plate high and concrete slab - $300 2. Roof structure - $250 3. Pre lock-up - roof finishes, ceilings adn render - $350 4. PCI - $2.25 per m2 ($3.50 per m2 if only PCI inspection) (prices were specific to my house and I'm assuming might depend on size, materials etc). I didn't get organised in time so I've hired him from roof inspection (but he still managed to do an inspection of the brick work). He takes photos of everything and provides a detailed report. For every point he raises he references an Australian Standards, Building Code of Australia, Drawings, Engineers Specs or good trade practices. No problem getting him one site. He requested a letter be sent to the builder advising them of the inspections and what stages and I also provided him with a letter of authority from me. My SS was great. No problem at all. I sent him the first report and he's going to respond to each point raised (nothing major). ____________________________ SuzanneW https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=38219 Pre-Start 01/10/10 Slab 14/01/11 Brickwork 28/02/11 Roof Frame 24/03/11 Re: Independent inspection or not? 31Aug 25, 2011 9:34 pm Well, it's time for our final inspection tomorrow, it is our first inspection/walk through with the SS, and we did book an independent inspector. $480 for our house which is about 33sqm. Feel nervous and excited at the same time to see the house in its final stage. Been going heaps anyway, but for it to be so official - argh!!!! 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 72221 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 39861 i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 79115 |