Browse Forums Building A New House Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 21Nov 11, 2013 10:42 am A friend of mine also built with Simonds & after they moved in I came to have a look. In the hallway you could clearly see that plaster was uneven especially when light shone on it. However due to the Australian tolerance which is something like if you're standing directly in front from 1 metre and can't see it, they're not obliged to fix it. The other thing I couldn't believe was when they went to hang a blind inside a window frame, one side of the blind hung down by 2cm because the window was not level. Hopefully that was one that did get fixed, however since they'd moved in, that obviously means handover has been accepted. But I do wish you all the best with your defects and hope that Simonds does the right thing by you. My Hamptons build (completed): viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63370 Moved in Wednesday 11th Dec 2013 Front landscaping completed June 2016 Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 22Nov 12, 2013 6:15 am We're keen to get an independent inspector during our build but we may only be able to afford to get two or three stages inspected. Which three stages (in order of importance) do you think are the most important to get inspected? One inspector we've obtained a quote from suggests that base, frame, lock-up and pre-handover are the most important but we'd like to cut out at least one of those... Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 23Nov 12, 2013 3:52 pm Hi Genghis77 Each inspections vitally important and we recommend pre slab(base), frame, pre plaster and pre final I don't believe in lockup inspection because it is in between critical points and important items could be missed and defects built in. You know your budget the best and decide how many inspections you want but so long as you understand that any critical inspection point missed is your risk. If you want to know what happens when inspections are not done, there are examples on my blogs. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 24Nov 28, 2013 6:20 pm I also used independent inspections during my build and it was the best insurance policy you can have. I got caught up in two bad situations where the builder did not care about the defects and ignored my inspector reports. Then to top it off the building surveyor the builder was using to ensure everything was built to standard was deregistered by the building commission. The independent inspector reports were critical in showing defects builder had covered up and ignored when the builder went bust before the house was completed and I had to provide information to building insurance. You will find that BACV are not all that useful. With my build they closed the case as they said based on the information I had provided the builder was in financial difficulties and they did not think conciliation was possible and advised me to go to VCAT. I ended up holding off a couple of weeks to see what happened and the builder was forced into liquidation. It is a huge learning curve as you realise that building contracts are all in the favour of the builder with the customer having very few out clauses. House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 27Oct 05, 2014 4:35 pm Hey OP I was looking at the Stanten on my old block of land (established) estate and this is basically the only off the shelf design that I can fit. How are you going with your Simonds house and do you mind sharing pictures? They don't have a display for this and I struggle with sizing. My first new build as well so I am tearing my hair out. Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 28Oct 05, 2014 5:25 pm Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time, I reallh hope you get it all sorted. I am luckier in that I live in country QLD where if you use a local builder (who use local contractors) you are more assured of quality as they simply cant afford a bad reputation given they rely on a small area for their work. Even just one or two bad houses damages their business or their contractors business beyond repair. Unfortunately, the bigger project home builders get work across the state/country so a few substandard houses here and there doesnt harm their reputation and their shear buying power means they can build so much more cheaper than any "local" builder. It all comes down to the SS you get and the tradesman - which can be a real lottery. Something needs to be done - there is talk of changing the legislation, at least in QLD, where the owner chooses the building inspector they wish to use. Maybe that will help solve these issues moving into the future? Dale - Building Newbie Proserpine, QLD Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 29Oct 18, 2014 6:50 pm Wow - I'm truly sorry to hear that you are going thru a bad build. I have to say that I have nothing but praise for Simonds since we first reviewed display homes. We too are building and yes we have an independent building inspector, which we are getting to review at more stages than what has been recommended by others on this forum. So slab and frame - which our inspector noted was an excellent job and no defects. Inspection whilst the bricks are being laid, and inspections at lockup completion - to be done, inspection mid way through fixing stage and final inspection at PCI. Yes, there have been defects picked up by our inspections and these have been fixed, some whilst our inspector was on site and including written confirmation and photographic evidence of being rectified. Our site supervisor had not reviewed some of the brick laying at the time of our inspection but was quick to react to knowing that there were defects. Note that the brick layers are sub-contractors and had coffee cups between the insulation and brick work to name one issue - simply not on! I know that our site supervisor is working 17 builds at the moment no excuse for defect but like most companies staff are put under the pump, thus quality will slip unless there is quality control, and for me it's peace of mind to have the additional inspections. We are not building our dream home nor a large build but this is still our hard earnt cash that is going into this build. I can only recommend that you get your own inspector as you build. I'm not a builder so what may look fine to me could not be to building code. Just my two cents worth Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 30Oct 18, 2014 7:21 pm We built with Simonds in SA and used an inspector. Minor things here and there picked up, our SS was very compliant and happy to correct anything promptly. It gave us peace of mind and was well worth spending the cash. Even though nothing major was uncovered or prevented, it's just nice to know it's all ok. We've had a sensational build second time around, first go wasnt great! Glad we picked Simonds for this time, happyfaces all round. Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: PLEASE USE AN INDEPENDENT BUILDING INSPECTOR! 32Oct 19, 2014 9:24 am nofire Can someone please advise an approximate cost per visit for an inspector? In Melbourne expect to pay around $600 for a competent stage inspection for an average size home. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2254 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 81847 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 46844 |