Browse Forums Building A New House Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 22Sep 13, 2016 4:57 pm Maybe it is too good to be true but then it may be just progress, progress=doing more with less It still has to have engineering backup and approval from Building Surveyor, I would go with the flow. 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 23Sep 13, 2016 9:55 pm I plan on paying a private inspector for at least 4 stages of the build, will it be a problem for them to evaluate the pre pour and slab if they have no prior experience with that type of slab? Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 24Sep 13, 2016 10:19 pm cant decide I plan on paying a private inspector for at least 4 stages of the build, will it be a problem for them to evaluate the pre pour and slab if they have no prior experience with that type of slab? That will depend on qualifications and experience of the inspector (always ask for qualifications and experience) If you get one that only does housing you just can't be sure but if inspector is experienced in commercial construction (suspended slabs) you will fare much better. Do your research and then decide if you are more interested in discounted inspection or the best inspection. Recently I was asked to match discounted inspection price of an inspector wet behind ears. I thought that was insulting and lack of respect for the service I provide. I wanted to tell him where to go but instead wished him luck knowing that if he gets into trouble he will be asking for me. 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 25Jul 07, 2017 7:10 am For over a decade I have been ripping into vandals pretending to be tradies who were bashing holes in structural bracing with a hammer (just have a look at my blogs) so it was refreshing to finally see at frame inspection some respect given to framing work (holes for electrical carefully and neatly drilled out with a hole saw). Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ But then continuing on I was disappointed that experienced builder could not do something as simple as set out the frame so trusses align with studs. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ It is very important to have your frame inspected independently because mandatory statutory inspections may miss important defects or omissions. One small thing may not matter but lots of small things can add up to significant deficiency and you never know if someone has missed elephant in the room. 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 26Jul 23, 2017 8:16 pm Another investor saved from catastrophic purchase. Few days ago I inspected unit in a three storey brick block dating from the sixties.The building externally did have brick cracking but most of that I attributed to the lack of brick articulation joints and brick growth. However I did not like external surface drainage that was sloping back to the building. Nevertheless nothing of significance rung bells but I did enter with alert and anticipation. The unit internally was spotless and obviously was renovated with no cracking at all. However there was a jamming door and on closer inspection the metal door frame was out of square and that did ring alarm bells but nothing else that would alarm untrained person. It is only when I took the walk across from the kitchen to the far end of the lounge that I felt walking down hill. It is difficult to pick up out of level floors by just walking on them unless the difference exceeds 30mm. I walked couple of times and then told my client that I thought that the floor was around 50mm out. That was the Elephant in the room. It was time to check levels and i whizzed out my laser level and sure enough the reading was -45mm. Then I told him that this building has probably tilted from verical and if so it could be a catastrophic damage due to heave/subsidence. I told him that If I was right I would find that all walls were out of verical, leaning one way. On checking with spirit level that was so, 20-25 mm out of vertical in every room. Externally lean was confirmed and estimated that the whole building(3 storeys high ) could have tilted close to 100mm out of vertical In summary, I told him that the building has undergone a catastrophic foundation damage and although habitable, further damage could not be ruled out. The cost of stabilizing and repair of the block I could not even guess unless I was commissioned to arrive at proper estimate. My client thanked me and told me he would pull out and look at another property on his shortlist. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 27Aug 03, 2017 10:22 am I am sick and tired of arguing with builders that can't set out house frames so I am posting it here for discussion Is structural adequacy excuse for poor workmanship? On my inspections I frequently find poorly set out and defective house frames. Builder’s try and hide behind truss manufacturer’s calculations trying to say that because structural adequacy is assured frames are not defective. This is false, as the following analysis will show: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Frame “A” is a well set out and built frame and structurally perfect, showing workmanship , skill and care Frame”B” is poorly set out and poorly built, lacking workmanship , skill and care, but nevertheless perfectly structurally adequate even though lacking workmanship. Is it acceptable even though it will be covered up by plaster? NO! Frame “AA” Is perfectly set out and loaded showing workmanship skill and care in setting out. Frame”BB” Is poorly set out and lacking workmanship skill and care. Builder’s argument is that truss manufacturer’s calculations show that it will be structurally correct. Is this acceptable? No! Because workmanship ,skill and care are missing. DBCA1995 is a law that overrides regulations, NCC and Australian standards. It requires and builder warrants that work be done in a workmanlike manner with skill and care or else it is defective. Would a builder be expected to know how to set out house frame? Yes! Conclusion: Frames that are not set out with expected workmanship skill and care are defective and are in breach of the implied warranties regardless of calculations. 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 28Aug 11, 2017 10:21 am Another buyer saved from catastrophic purchase, this was my report summary: Additional Comments: I have been asked to inspect for second opinion after franchised inspector identified damp under sub floor but was unable to offer further advice and the purchaser was left wondering. My inspection revealed defective ground levels under the dwelling. BCA requires sub floor levels to be 75mm higher than surrounding external levels for drainage and to prevent water ponding under floor. The sub floor ground level under this dwelling is substantially below lowest outside ground level. Given that the site is designated flood prone and that external ground levels at rear slope toward dwelling (manhole) it islikely that sub floor will become flooded at multiple times and when it is not flooded it will permanently retain moisture because water has nowhere to go except be absorbed into the ground. Flooding and dampness may cause structural problems, mould, cause conditions attractive to termites and unhealthy conditions. In my opinion this dwelling should not have passed inspection for occupancy permit. This dwelling cannot be easily repaired for compliance. What good are franchise inspectors if you still have to get expert to advise you? You will pay twice. Duh! 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 29Aug 22, 2017 8:20 pm Hi building expert. If you were in Victoria I would hire you in a heart beat! Always pays to have an independent expert on your side! Quick question. Is it a bad idea to have an uncovered concrete alfresco? Even if the concrete was graded away from the building, it would still lead to water flowing down the side of the slab right? Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 30Aug 23, 2017 6:09 am I do live and work in Melbourne Victoria, its just I escape twice a month for a few days to Tasmania, to enjoy my beach cottage. 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: A week in the life of Building -Expert 31Aug 23, 2017 11:17 am Have been looking into local inspection services and priced them but thinking i engage a friend who used to work in the industry 15 years ago to monitor and check over my build - while he acknowledges standards and materials may have changed the underlying basics of getting the frame right etc should be the same. and then get a full PCI inspection along with a defects inspection. He works next suburb over so can check on it quite frequently after work - at least till lockup and then if he spots anything needing further investigation i engage an inspector to check it Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 32Aug 23, 2017 11:35 am Entilzha He works next suburb over so can check on it quite frequently after work - at least till lockup and then if he spots anything needing further investigation i engage an inspector to check it They don't pour concrete after work They pour it at daybreak..when you are cosy in bed. Here an example Info required..Private building Inspector By The time your mate gets there its set....Goodluck with that Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 33Aug 23, 2017 11:38 am building-expert I do live and work in Melbourne Victoria, its just I escape twice a month for a few days to Tasmania, to enjoy my beach cottage. Oh right. I must have misread an earlier post of yours. Well in that case I will definitely be in touch when my build gets started! Re: A week in the life of Building -Expert 34Aug 23, 2017 12:03 pm StructuralBIMGuy Entilzha He works next suburb over so can check on it quite frequently after work - at least till lockup and then if he spots anything needing further investigation i engage an inspector to check it They don't pour concrete after work They pour it at daybreak..when you are cosy in bed. Here an example Info required..Private building Inspector By The time your mate gets there its set....Goodluck with that he is more about the framing/windows/roof etc, no real engineering knowledge re slabs etc nowadays from what i have been told the builders engineer does a pre pour inspection of the site as well as a post excavation inspection but yes that might be one worth looking at getting done as well. and i have advised my builder in advance i have an inspector anyway You should pressure clean your roof first and make sure the paint you buy also is anti mould. 4 17641 Hi Everyone I learned something this week that I thought would be worth sharing. In NSW a lot of developers of subdivisions put covenants on the land which normally… 0 6500 Thanks for your reply. I will just wait and see I guess. Trying to get some more information from our builder. 9 29927 |