Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 10, 2013 10:56 pm Hey. We are building our first home and we want to hire some independent inspectors after reading about all the horror stories. Problem is that we have no idea how anything works or who to turn to. So the questions are as follow; which stages should we hire inspectors for? Just any building inspector or are there special ones for these things? Recommendations much appreciated! Lastly, how much should we expect each inspection to cost approximately? We are building a small two story house and the payment/stages are as follow: 5% - Deposit 10% - Base stage 15% - Frame stage 10% - Electrical / plumbing rough in 25% - Enclosed stage 20% - Fixing stage 15% - Practical completion stage They are expecting to pour the slab within the next week or so, very exciting! Any opinions and especially recommendations are much appreciated. Re: Inspectors for which stages? Who to hire? [BRIS] 2Jan 10, 2013 11:40 pm If it was my house I would have my first inspection when the footings have been poured, but before the slab is laid to check correct placement of building materials, such as the steel mesh. My second inspection would be when the roof frame is completed (before roof cover), because the inspector can inspect the slab, walls and roof frame at the same time saving on cost and multiple inspections. I would then have a final inspection at practical completion. I suggest before booking an inspection talk to the inspector and ask what qualifications they have and their construction experience (if any). Do they have professional indemnity insurance?, because it is my understanding in WA building inspectors are not required to be licensed. Good luck with your build. Re: Inspectors for which stages? Who to hire? [BRIS] 3Jan 11, 2013 10:03 am Can only speak of the Electrical inspection In Vic the inspector only turns up on completion of the job Hes not interested in seeing roughing in (unless hes is auditing the Electrican) or terminations only switchboard and earth Down here the inspection is part of the Electricians cost Maybe check with the Supply Authority or the electrical regulator in your state Re: Inspectors for which stages? Who to hire? [BRIS] 4Jan 12, 2013 11:23 pm Hmm, both your answers confuses me @mr standards I don't think I know enough about how a house is built exactly to be able to book an inspector in for the exact time when the mesh is laid for example. I think I rather just have the inspector at the normal time when we need to inspect a stage and approve before continuing. I take it you are not too fussed with releasing the money for each stage then and rather try to get the inspector in at later stages when he can inspect more items? Maybe I'll skip the inspection directly after slab is laid then. @nev25 Not sure what you are referring to, are you saying that it is pointless for me to hire an inspector for this stage or are you saying that the inspector (or whatever he is called) that works for the builder is useless for my purposes and I SHOULD hire an inspector for this stage? Without knowing anything about this, I would have thought the bigger stages like Frame stage, Enclosed stage, Fixing stage and Practical completion stage would be worth the cost of an inspection at least, no? Re: Inspectors for which stages? Who to hire? [BRIS] 5Jan 12, 2013 11:53 pm seriously i have to have a little chuckle at inspections but must say they are required. I had an inspector and he only found 1 split studd and said the standard was to attach a second studd next to the split one joining the split with nails. I later found myself in total 4 studd walls that had split frames (so I just yanked them out and put new ones in as the builders fix was simply to attach a second studd where the crack is and nail it (pathetic). Also as for the flooring (2 storey home) the joists only had every second brace between them again what a joke had to do this myself and put braces between every joist again pathetic regulations. Getting a secondary inspector is good but don't hold your breath that what you get is 100% what you would expect even after your own independent inspector. What you should get is:
but again don't be fooled do your own visual inspections regularly on site and raise issues that you see immediately with your builder. And do NOT be bullied if they tell you that you shouldn't be on site tell them to go jump on that one. Re: Inspectors for which stages? Who to hire? [BRIS] 6Feb 10, 2013 11:38 am We didn't end up getting any inspector for the first stage (slab). But the second stage is about to finish shortly (frame) and we are thinking maybe we'll get one for this one. Anyway, everytime I search for inspectors, all I find is people saying how many bad inspectors are out there and how you have to make sure to get a good one. But I have no idea where these good inspectors are hiding. Could someone please recommend someone good in the Brisbane area that we can use for stage inspections throughout our build? Thank you! We are about to commence a new build I and Iām reading about defects along the way. My question is should we employ a independent building inspector to come in and… 0 5240 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 |