Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 01, 2013 10:52 pm We have encountered some minor problems with our building as we are approaching PCI. I now fear there are major problems i don't see and think maybe i need to hire an independent inspector. In saying that, i have had lots of friends who never hired one and settled in their homes without issues. I was wondering if it's worth paying an inspector even when now builders have 6months maintenance period and a lifetime structural warranty. Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 3May 02, 2013 9:49 am Close to $500... Have you hired one yourself? And are they big help? Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 4May 02, 2013 10:01 am Yes... And I paid about that. It gave me peace of mind and reassurance. When you do the inspection with your ss, you have a reference to look at things as the building inspector goes in before you do. I did PCI on Tuesday, of course I noticed things like paint not quite right, but our inspectors also picked up doors not sealed or aligned quite right. Now I opened the same doors, and didn't see the problem until I looked at it with through the inspector's eyes. We are having door completely replaced as the gap is to much. Now would have I known that in six months time, it was not right, probably not. Overall there are no major issues with the build, a quality built home, but i am glad these little things are picked up now. Built a Hawthorne 31 with EB nessjeffdreamhouse.blogspot.com.au Building an investment now with New Living homes... We are at nearly finished... Just landscaping and driveway to go! Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 5May 02, 2013 10:22 am 1sttimebuilding2012 Yes... And I paid about that. It gave me peace of mind and reassurance. When you do the inspection with your ss, you have a reference to look at things as the building inspector goes in before you do. I did PCI on Tuesday, of course I noticed things like paint not quite right, but our inspectors also picked up doors not sealed or aligned quite right. Now I opened the same doors, and didn't see the problem until I looked at it with through the inspector's eyes. We are having door completely replaced as the gap is to much. Now would have I known that in six months time, it was not right, probably not. Overall there are no major issues with the build, a quality built home, but i am glad these little things are picked up now. Happy your building went fine looks like you're moving in to your new home very soon! Husband and i still undecided because he feels he can check house himself but like you said there may be things you think are okay but arent for the inspector's professional eyes. Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 6May 02, 2013 10:29 am Yes - well worth it. Ours found over 90 faults and looked in places we wouldn't have thought of ... there is so much to check at PCI you can't do it all yourselves .... and the SS went through the list at handover and most of it was fixed .... 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: Are building inspectors worth the money? 7May 02, 2013 10:38 am Mclaren Yes - well worth it. Ours found over 90 faults and looked in places we wouldn't have thought of ... there is so much to check at PCI you can't do it all yourselves .... and the SS went through the list at handover and most of it was fixed .... Wow i bet i won't see 90 faults if i was just checking myself. Can you share what some of his findings were? Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 8May 02, 2013 10:41 am Oh and the inspector went up in the roof to check... Now I would never have thought to go up there... $500 is pocket change in regards to a house build... Built a Hawthorne 31 with EB nessjeffdreamhouse.blogspot.com.au Building an investment now with New Living homes... We are at nearly finished... Just landscaping and driveway to go! Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 9May 02, 2013 12:27 pm Hell yes. I don't know all the AS and other building standards - and I'd expect an inspector to. You'll pick up things like scratches your self, but won't be expected to know what walls can't be more than 4mm out, or sarking/BAL ratings can only have a 3mm gap etc. That's the kind of thing they'll pick up which you won't know about - and an insurance company could one day turn around and say "oh, it wasn't built to standard". Building a Delta 21 at Craigieburn - http://homeofzero.blogspot.com.au/ Deposit: 26/02. Contract: 22/05. Settlement: 29/05. Site start: 18/10. Re: Are building inspectors worth the money? 10May 02, 2013 12:40 pm Depends on how 'major' you think your problems might be. Remember - building inspectors earn most of their regular income from builders. If you are thinking major structural issues, perhaps consider a construction engineer 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 82534 If you are in Victoria you have a statutory right to your own building inspector regardless of builder's consent. No negotiations are required. However the builder will… 1 3359 As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27951 |