Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 28, 2012 11:54 pm Hi all, We are getting very close to the handover and I am wondering if we should hire an inspector to do walk-through with us before we make the final payment. If I had a fat budget, I would just go for the inspector. The fact is really I need to squeeze hard to put that money aside. Besides, I personally feel the last inspection is about checking the paint, the lights, etc. which I can do myself, if I am careful enough. So, for those who used an inspector for your final inspection, do you think it was money well spent? If yes, what sort of problems your inspector found that you would not have noticed yourself? If no, is it because you think you could have done it yourself? Or other reasons? I need your advice, please Thanks a lot! Jin Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 2Jan 29, 2012 12:29 am I would say yes - our inspector picked up on our hobless shower not being done to the industry specs resulting in our builder removing the floor tiles, inserting a L piece to stop the water penetrating from under the shower frame, re-doing the water proofing, re-tiling and re-installing the shower screen. We wouldn't have the faintest idea about these things as they are not just cosmetic, visible things that you can keep an eye on it but more structural/functional. They usually will go in your roof and check that everything is done properly - e.g. enough bracing was used, if the insulation is properly installed and complete (ours wasn't), they check the guttering that is finished properly and not blocked by building materials, they check quite a few things you will miss. It's a lot to check at your final inspection and will take quite a bit of time as well. We spent close to 3 hours checking on things ourselves even though we had a building inspector. Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 3Jan 29, 2012 11:09 am Agree, the inspector will check a lot of things that we usually have no idea of or will miss. My question is, is it better for the pre-handover inspection and PCI happen on the same day, so that I can meet the inspector and talk to him about any issues? Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 4Jan 29, 2012 11:32 am How would you approach the builder to let them know you will be hiring an independent inspector and you will be requiring access to the house at a certain time? Obviously this part really applies to after lock up stage, where you do not have access to the house unless the SS or someone from the builder lends a key or drives out to open up. Our builder has been fantastic thus far and very understanding and approachable, and as much as we have every right to hire our own inspector when the time comes I don't want to step on any toes. Hope the OP doesn't mind me asking a question here Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 5Jan 29, 2012 8:05 pm Book the inspector for PCI - there is no issue about bringing the inspector you just need to inform the site supervisor that your inspector will be at the PCI and they will take it from there. Preliminary agreement 23/11 Contract 22/03 Prestart 06/04 - finalised on 30/04 Unconditional approval 10/05 Demolition 05/07 Slab 26/08 Brickwork 13/09-06/10 Roof frame started 07/10 viewtopic.php?f=31&t=32292 Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 6Jan 30, 2012 7:25 am You might be interested in this thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53809 Knockdown and rebuild - Metr1con Nolan 45 Plantation Our Build Blog @ http://ournolan.wordpress.com Our Build Thread @ viewtopic.php?f=31&t=52812 Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 7Jan 30, 2012 10:42 am Hey J! I just think final inspection by independent inspector for your house now may be your personal choice...Sorry I can't have more info and idea as we even not yet start our building journey! Just want to say warm congrats and good luck for your soon handover! Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 8Jan 30, 2012 4:09 pm Definitely worth it - cost us $495 and in the scheme of things that's not much compared to what you've spent on your house. Our inspector found over 90 things wrong at PCI - lots of minor stuff but some pretty important things that we had no idea about. Best thing was a week later during handover the SS went through the entire list ticking off what had been done. For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 9Jan 30, 2012 7:52 pm People dont blink at the thought of getting a car inspection, so why do they with a house inspection. Absolutely 100% ALL home owner's should get an independant building inspection done. In the best case scenario they give you peace of mind for a job well done, in the worst you have a legal document to go after the builder with and even so far as the BRB (should it get there) Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 10Jan 30, 2012 8:24 pm munta People dont blink at the thought of getting a car inspection, so why do they with a house inspection. Absolutely 100% ALL home owner's should get an independant building inspection done. In the best case scenario they give you peace of mind for a job well done, in the worst you have a legal document to go after the builder with and even so far as the BRB (should it get there) +1..... agree 100% Could not have said it better myself.. hang on i think I did on this thread.... http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53809 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: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 11Jan 30, 2012 11:20 pm Thanks everyone! We think we will use one. Jin Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 12Jan 30, 2012 11:21 pm kikichan Hey J! I just think final inspection by independent inspector for your house now may be your personal choice...Sorry I can't have more info and idea as we even not yet start our building journey! Just want to say warm congrats and good luck for your soon handover! Hi Kiki, Oh, still no start? Why? Jin Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 13Jan 31, 2012 9:14 pm 594Jessica kikichan Hey J! I just think final inspection by independent inspector for your house now may be your personal choice...Sorry I can't have more info and idea as we even not yet start our building journey! Just want to say warm congrats and good luck for your soon handover! Hi Kiki, Oh, still no start? Why? Jin Yes, we are still on pre-construction stage . We got DA approval within 6weeks but we needed to go another round for Section 96 which was much more complicated than our DA .... Then, before the festive break, we were finally booked for site start in the last week but the weather was terrible and we have even yet got the Construction Certificate . By the way, you must be very busy and are having joyful preparation for moving in . Did you remove soil after excavation? if so, can you recommend a good soil remover? Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 14Jan 31, 2012 9:38 pm If you are unsure about anything, would recommend an inspector for peace of mind. Quality and finish issues you'll most likely be able to pick up yourself, but if it's the finer things you are concerned about such as fall on sills, tiling slope requirements etc that you have concerns with, a thorough building inspector will certainly be able to assist. For me, when looking through a home before we hand it over, these are some of the things i look out for: - drawers opening and closing properly - windows and doors opening and closing properly - lights and other associated switches and outlets functioning (keep i mind some builders don't install light bulbs so can be difficult to check) - look around your gutters, downpipes, valleys and barges to check flashing all looks good and weatherproof (it can be hard as you may not know until your first lot of rainfall or heavy downpour) - turn on your showers, to check the water clears toward the drain properly and not pooling in the middle or away from the drain - check glass for scratches. With this, the test is usually 1m standing back from the glass and if scratches are visible, it should be replaced. That's all i can think of for now. Good luck and hope all goes well with the handover!! Jay Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 16Feb 01, 2012 8:39 pm I don't have any details on hand but could ask and get some names for you. Alternatively, i'd recommend contacting the Building Commission of WA. http://www.buildingcommission.wa.gov.au ... commission They'll be able to assist with an inspector as they'd give the details of who they use should a formal complaint against the builder be made. Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 17Feb 08, 2012 10:30 pm Howard & Ryan from Bella Vista. http://www.hnkryan.com/ Was recommended by friend, and apparently a few people from Homeone have used him too and very happy. Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 18Feb 11, 2012 11:07 pm Has anybody ever heard of KTA Partnership? I have an ad here for them as property inspectors, tried looking online for a website but could only find listings for them as architects with no testimonials etc. This thread is great! Re: Final inspection - is an independent inspector worth hir 19Feb 14, 2012 9:52 pm Thanks everyone for your thoughts! We finally decided not to use one. The builder provides 3 month check sort of thing so we can live in the house, feel the wrongs and make a complain. I guess at this stage, there are not structural things to be checked anyway. The builder booked us a roof service so I guess we don't need to worry about cracked tiles either. We did a frame stage inspection and I personally feel that is more important than final one, if someone can only choose one inspection to be done. Regards, Jessica I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2282 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 98697 The significant date is when receive final payment invoice Check that section of contract Bit of fluff by builders prior to that 1 15952 |