Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 27, 2012 11:16 am Hi all, Reading this forum and the various building blogs there seems to be 1. different opinions and 2. different stages where people have used an independent building inspector. As budget is tight we won't be able to afford an inspection at every stage, so would like to know the key stages (80/20 rule) where most problems have occurred and where others have used or think people should use an independent building inspector. Please vote in the poll. Comments also welcome. Thanks Chris Knockdown and rebuild - Metr1con Nolan 45 Plantation Our Build Blog @ http://ournolan.wordpress.com Our Build Thread @ viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52812 Re: Independent Building Inspections 2Jan 27, 2012 3:33 pm From someone who didn't get every stage done Get every stage done. I'm really peeved that we didn't them done from the get go, especially since we had slab/set out and frame issues. Find the money and you will be much happier in the end even though it may raise a few problems during the build. Re: Independent Building Inspections 3Jan 27, 2012 6:37 pm We have our PCI this coming Wednesday, but haven't gotten it done at any stage and it's a pretty good bet we won't at the inspection. Not that we don't think it's a good idea, but we can't justify the expense. Many will say that's silly considering how much these things cost, and hey, they're right, but as with everything it's a question of finances, and we just can't do it. I figure, it's only our first home anyway, and we may build again, at which point I hope to be in a much more stable situation financially. That and, we're building with a larger, well-known builder, and they offer a 25-year structural guarantee anyway. If I had to vote though (or if it was something I could easily afford), I would get them done at the two main stages that people seem to be voting for - pre-plaster, and final inspection. Re: Independent Building Inspections 5Jan 28, 2012 12:36 am No brainer... biggest purchase of your life so why would you not get it checked for peace of mind. I would recommend min 2 - pre plaster and PCI. It stuns me that people dont get this as they can not afford it - their building a new house and if you can not afford an extra 1K thats a concern... Always allow a buffer for the unexpected. Also the "25 year structural warranty" does not cover most things - make sure you read the fine print... Nearly everyone gets a car checked before they buy it and this is a tiny spend compared to a house.. Just to be clear Im not having a shot at anyone - just voicing an opinion.... Each to their own.. Cheers, Alpal Building PD Heathmont 40 BLOG: http://alpal-pd-heathmont40.blogspot.com/ Deposit paid 19/08/2011 Contract signing 3/10/2011 Site Start 10/11/2011 Slab 23/11/2011 Re: Independent Building Inspections 6Jan 28, 2012 6:25 am we got frame stage ,pre plaster and will also get one at hand over. He found many faults at frame stage some were potentially detrimental to future validity of the home. he paid for himself at the end of the day. only costing us around $1400 for the "key 3" inspections. + you have the weight of the inspector behind you ...if they say its not built to code ..your builder has no excuses!!! ..i couldn't recommend inspectors enough especially all the short cuts builders like to take. Re: Independent Building Inspections 7Jan 28, 2012 11:02 am Hi, Any recommendation on the building inspector in the melbourne west area? Cheers, tamu TAMU Building PD Marbella 38 Deposit:31 Dec 2011 Tender:08 Feb Tile/Col/Elect: 22 Feb Contract: 29 Feb Slab: 24 Apr Frame: 17 May Lock up: 02 Aug Completion/PCI: 31 Oct Move in: 17 Nov 2012 Re: Independent Building Inspections 8Jan 28, 2012 11:43 am Hi All, Excuse my ignorance, but isn't having a certifier solves this problem? don't they need to pass each stage of the build before the builder can go on to the next solves this problem? Re: Independent Building Inspections 9Jan 28, 2012 5:01 pm tamugrg Hi, Any recommendation on the building inspector in the melbourne west area? Cheers, tamu I wouldn't call these recommendations (as I haven't used any yet), but I have collected a list of building inspectors in anticipation of using them when the building stages have started. I have read some good feedback in this forum and other people's blogs on these inspectors. I have a friend looking into one of them and will post any feedback in this thread when I hear from him. Here is the list of Melbourne Building Inspectors: http://www.newhomeinspections.com.au http://www.finalinspect.com.au http://www.urbanpropertyinspections.com.au http://www.buildingcheck.com.au If anyone has others, please post too. Knockdown and rebuild - Metr1con Nolan 45 Plantation Our Build Blog @ http://ournolan.wordpress.com Our Build Thread @ viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52812 Re: Independent Building Inspections 10Jan 28, 2012 6:52 pm springtime Hi All, Excuse my ignorance, but isn't having a certifier solves this problem? don't they need to pass each stage of the build before the builder can go on to the next solves this problem? I am assuming you are referring to Building inspectors... These guys do check but they have hundreds of houses to check and only really check the big ticket items. I want to ensure that I get what I paid for and the structure is built to last. Cheers, Alpal Building PD Heathmont 40 BLOG: http://alpal-pd-heathmont40.blogspot.com/ Deposit paid 19/08/2011 Contract signing 3/10/2011 Site Start 10/11/2011 Slab 23/11/2011 Independent Building Inspections 11Jan 28, 2012 9:18 pm Does anyone know of one in the Wollongong area (or even south Sydney if there prepared to travel) Re: Independent Building Inspections 12Jan 30, 2012 8:51 am We had our building certified at frame stage the day before our independent inspector went through, and he managed to find faults that were not compliant. Admittedly they were small, and the house may have been ok without it, but we think it was money well spent, and will be having other inspections for our piece of mind. Re: Independent Building Inspections 14Apr 13, 2012 10:48 pm bumping this thread up for people who haven't voted yet..... Knockdown and rebuild - Metr1con Nolan 45 Plantation Our Build Blog @ http://ournolan.wordpress.com Our Build Thread @ viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52812 Re: Independent Building Inspections 15May 22, 2012 7:18 pm Hi All, We have completed our Frame stage inspection with our independent inspector and he found 8 issues and 6 are major issues according to Australian standards. and report summery says, "SUMMARY -There are a number of items in this report which in my opinion should be completed to be able to receive a mandatory frame approval. A pre plaster inspection should be completed to allow for these items to be checked off." But when i spoke to my site supervisor he says they already got mandatory frame approval passed and no need to fix issues in inspection report provide my inspector. So what can i do . Is there any legal action can i take. Any advice please. Thanks in Advance. Nicole Nicole1983 Re: Independent Building Inspections Shell Cove South of Syd 16May 22, 2012 8:29 pm Hi All I have my PCI a week Thursday and want to know whether I should get an independent inspection. Has anyone who has had one done have any recommendations on an inspector and if you do can you personal message me their details and how much they cost and a bit about them. I am located in Shell Cove which is South of Wollongong NSW. Thanks in Advance Cathy Cathy Building Harmony Elite - Option B - Grande Resort Suite - Modified Independent Building Inspections 17May 22, 2012 10:47 pm CathyP Hi All I have my PCI a week Thursday and want to know whether I should get an independent inspection. Has anyone who has had one done have any recommendations on an inspector and if you do can you personal message me their details and how much they cost and a bit about them. I am located in Shell Cove which is South of Wollongong NSW. Thanks in Advance Cathy great to hear you're almost finished! I would also love details messaged to me as I'm building in the same area. Thanks! Re: Independent Building Inspections 18May 23, 2012 12:13 pm Can someone recommend IBI south of the river in Perth? Thanks Re: Independent Building Inspections 20Jun 03, 2012 4:29 pm Hi guys, Our independent inspector found 16 issues and our SS saying he will not fix any issues and all issues are rubbish. When I went to the site today I found Kitchen Bulkhead had been totally removed and plasters been done. I got really upset as kitchen looks awful without bulkhead. Then I called to SS and he said me inspector ask him to remove the Bulkhead. But when i look in to the report it doesn't say to remove bulkhead. It say just move the bulkhead 300mm …. And SS telling me if we need Kitchen Bulkhead back we have to pay him. When i ask to show him to prove the written document where mention Kitchen Bulkhead have to be removed. He is saying me "yes you are correct i don't have any proof, But if you go to legal action i will stop work for three weeks and drag your home whole 9 months as contract says and he will charge 15% interest on late payment as we haven't paid Frame stage invoice. And that way you have to pay more interest to the bank than paying Kitchen Bulkhead”. He was trying to bully me. I am really disappointed about all this, as end of the day we spent money for the inspection and no issue is fixed and also some items of the house also been removed (Kitchen Bulkhead) Any advice on above is appreciated. Nicole1983 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 18063 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 81883 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 46854 |