Browse Forums Building A New House Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 67Oct 03, 2008 10:54 am Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 69Dec 15, 2008 2:05 pm vanderlay Yes we did. Using Kevin we were able to finally get a much better standard of finish than what PD were presenting to us as "acceptable". Strongly recommend using Kevin! They were ok with us using him - but really they don't have a choice as you have the right to have an indendpent inspection done! Hi, do we need to say in the contract with PD that we will use an independent inspector and PD needs to fix problems the independent inspector points out? Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 70Dec 17, 2008 8:43 am Hi All
We have jsut finished (more or less) with the frame stage. We had a few Bad wood pieces on frame which we showed to SS. He was cheerful and happy to change it. 1. Now just to take advise, it is ok to get Big Kev for just for the pre handover or should we get him for pre plaster too? is there anything that can be missed at pre handover, due to which we need to get him at pre plaster? 2. Say at inspection time he finds error then how to ensure its rectified. We building for 1st time and may not really know if some 'technical' thing has actually been done correctly ! does he come bk again ? Appreciate your respnse so will according run around and book him in. Thanks!!!! Regards Divya Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 71Dec 17, 2008 8:53 am just my 2c about #1, after plaster (before handover), there will be lots of things like wet area (kitchen, laundry, bathrooms) tiling/plumbing, cornice, skirting, power points and switches, water tanks, air con, painting, doors/windows, ...etc could go wrong or have problems. suggest to still get him back for further checking. it might only cost you a few hundred dollars but you will be surprised how many problems he could pick up and that could easily justify the cost! Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 72Dec 22, 2008 8:06 pm All
We just had a frame inspection done by Kevin. However, when i sent the report through to my CSC in PD as well as the SS, i got a response back from my CSC indicating that they don't accept any independent inspection report and the only way forward is for me to walk through the report with my SS and agreed on what is to be fix. Is that usual for anyone who have build with PD and did an independent inspection ? I am curious as some of the defects listed are deviating from the Building Standard so i would have thought PD would be required to fix it regardless. Thank you Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 73Dec 23, 2008 6:52 am We had a number of issues where building standards weren't met. We didn't use an independent inspector, but we got hold of all the available info and armed ourselves with tape measure, straight edge and spirit level.
There were a few things we pointed out where the response was "that's within tolerances" and we were able to use our simple tools to show that this was clearly not the case. There was no argument about fixing those things, although sometimes it took a long time to get done.... We documented everything, took photos and insisted on emailing all the details to PD and getting a written response acknowledging that the defects we'd listed would be fixed, and by when. I can't see the difference whether you use your own inspector or do it yourself - the builder is still obliged to meet building standards. Make sure you DO go through everything with your SS - it's your right to ask for a site meeting if there are issues to be addressed. We were able to have a site meeting every single week in the final stages of the build (if we'd wanted to) - their offer, not our request. Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 74Dec 24, 2008 12:43 pm After reading hysterical1144's post I just had to come out of the lurking shadows - so first I must say thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to all posters for indirectly helping me and my family through our build.
As for hysterical1144...... Yes I built with PD, and yes I used big Kev. He helped me enormously as our issues list got escalated through CSC, SS, then regional building manager, and then finally regional customer service manager..... with input from the Building Commission too..... My advice would be to contact Kevin immediately. Not only did I find that he knows his stuff, he was also invaluable when it came to 'strategy'. Because I know that Kevin's reports are very thorough and usually refer to specific building code requirements, then I doubt your builder wants to meet you to 'clarify his points' - they probably want to tell you 'don't worry about x, y, z because.....'. And if they would start talking technical you'll not know who to trust and you'll wish you had Kevin with you. Give Kevin a call (....I suspect that before he gives his advice he'll first laugh at PD's response) If you can't get hold of Kevin then I'd suggest that you tell PD that you just want to make sure that 'we' ('you and the builder'..this shows you're not being confrontational....yet) are building a house that is of excellent quality (and so will they ... in theory) and so would like another opinion, but that you also don't want to delay the build (and neither will they or else penalty fees kick-in). Consequently, you'd like to seek clarification promptly and so ask if PD consider the Building Commission to be 'qualified' (how could they not?) and propose that you and PD seek clarification from the Commission on Kevin's issues. Your aim now is not to prove Kevin right and your builder wrong (although I suspect I know who's correct) - it's to satisfy yourself that you've got quality build. Afterall....you'll be the one who'll be sleeping in the house 5-10-20 years later when Kevin and your CSC are but distant memories....... And finally.... always, always, always get all responses in writing - you never know when you'll need to use to your advantage later........ Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 75Jan 06, 2009 10:42 am Hey guys at what point do I get Kevin to come in a do the pre-plaster inspection? Obviously it needs to be before the plaster goes in, but should I wait until thebricks have been laid so he can check these too?
When I spoke with Kevin late last year (before X-Mas) and he agreed to do our pre-plaster inspection, but said to call back when our builder (PD) had laid the roof tiles. Our house is coming along very fast, with slab, frame and 80% of roof tiles completed within 2-3 weeks. My concern is that Kevin will be leave until Jan 19th. So i wanted to know when the best time to have the pre-plaster inspection done. The way things are going I wouldn’t be surprised if the bricking is complete before Kevin is back. Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 76Jan 06, 2009 11:55 am kpny Hey guys at what point do I get Kevin to come in a do the pre-plaster inspection? Obviously it needs to be before the plaster goes in, but should I wait until thebricks have been laid so he can check these too? When I spoke with Kevin late last year (before X-Mas) and he agreed to do our pre-plaster inspection, but said to call back when our builder (PD) had laid the roof tiles. Our house is coming along very fast, with slab, frame and 80% of roof tiles completed within 2-3 weeks. My concern is that Kevin will be leave until Jan 19th. So i wanted to know when the best time to have the pre-plaster inspection done. The way things are going I wouldn’t be surprised if the bricking is complete before Kevin is back. He told me that when electircals go in thats about the right time to call him for a pre-plaster inspection (this was before christmas) Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 77Jan 06, 2009 10:17 pm Big Kev has been recommended to us too, but as posted, he's on leave for a couple more weeks. Is he usually booked out far in advance? I am a bit worried as our frame is pretty much finished and we were going to get him to inspect it before everything else happens. Is this still easily done though if the roof goes on and the electricals go in? I have a few queries about a few bits of wood in the frame and want to get them seen to before the next stages go ahead. Building our dream H3nl3y home together House: Cott3sloe Modifications: Extended ensuite, grand dining, grand rumpus, Bedroom 4 option, two plus garage Frame done, roof tiles are on, brickes start this week! Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 78Jan 22, 2009 11:05 am Hi Guys,
Just wanted to give Kevin’s reputation another thumbs up. We had Kevin do a pre-plaster inspection on our PD home yesterday and there were several issues he identified. Although we haven’t received his report as yet, his quality of service thus far has been outstanding. He was happy to answer many of my questions prior to booking his services and he was on time for the inspection. We can’t wait to get the official report on our inspection… watch out PD! Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 79Feb 25, 2009 8:47 am I'm thinking of getting Kev out to do my pre-plaster and final inspections. As he seems to be so busy, would I be best to make contact with him about it once building starts so he knows I am after his services instead of calling him up a week before I need him to do the inspection? 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: PD Customers - Did you use Big Kev the Building Inspector? 80Feb 25, 2009 9:07 pm Hi I am a first time home builder (with PD) and am building in the West of VIC.
I have bookmarked this as Big Kev sounds GREAT Can someone kindly give me a quick rundown on inspection times, like when is a good idea to have them?? Obviously there is the final independent inspection and after reading this the pre-plaster inspection. Any others to consider? Thanks K8 I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2246 Plasterboard Gyprock is very popular as a reveal liner these days. You need to provide a way of supporting it, we use a modified timber reveal or bracket. You will be… 1 3007 I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 45448 |