Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 05, 2019 8:30 pm Hello all, We are a little bit disappointed with the Building Inspector who did the final stage inspection for our place. We were traveling on work and expected that they would catch some basic issues. After we returned we found quite a few issues with our build that are clearly visible to our bear eyes, some of them are unpainted door edges, missing stop taps, marks on the walls, uneven flooring on the garage, space between the skirting on the garage flooring etc and much more. These are very obvious things to catch which were never noted by the BI. What should we do? Cheers Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 3Nov 05, 2019 9:56 pm Hello @Norfolk: I'm tempted to do that publicly here, but not sure if this was genuinely overlooked by the BI, since I was not present and dont know what happened. I'll first get in touch with them and reason out why these basic things were missed in the BI report before I publish the names here. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 4Nov 06, 2019 6:49 pm Based on some of the inputs I've received on PM, I've escalated this with the BI company Biz manager. I'll update here on what the response was soon. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 5Nov 07, 2019 7:56 am Regardless of whether your BI missed it or not, building defect is a defect and the builder is still obliged to fix it. 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: Building inspector - not really worth it 6Nov 19, 2019 9:11 pm brightstarshine Based on some of the inputs I've received on PM, I've escalated this with the BI company Biz manager. I'll update here on what the response was soon. This is from APBI, avoid them like plague. Still, not received a no proper response acknowledging that they missed the issue, neither are they interested in amending these issues in the report. They simply don't follow QBCC standards and tolerances, when asked why many of the obvious things were missed they stated: "most common practices followed by builders". So I think APBI is pro-builders and not working for you although you paid them. Please think twice before signing up with them and paying you hard-earned money. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 7Nov 20, 2019 7:17 am What an embarrassing statement for Australian property & building inspections APBI to make: that they accept and support “most common practices followed by builders" in their checking of works. This admission is far worse than any mistake or omission they have made with your place. They should be checking their customer’s building works to confirm they meet the Australian standards that are referenced in the national construction code NCC If they are not doing this then they are patently misrepresenting their services and deceiving customers. If they have admitted to you they don’t check to the standards in the NCC and just check to common (and often inappropriate) building practices this is useless and they should refund your money and any additional costs you have incurred due to this misrepresentation. They should also refund other customers who have paid for their inspections on the understanding they are checking building works meet NCC standards. Let’s give APBI the opportunity to confirm and expand on their statement to brightstarshine and explain why they offer construction inspection services but don’t inspect and report on building works based on the Australian standards as referenced in the NCC. Small_Minds what do you think?
Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 8Nov 20, 2019 8:46 am Is this what the broken building industry has degraded to.....an adoption of mediocracy by subterfuge by some who promote their professional services as affording 'last bastion' protection to vulnerable clients? 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 9Nov 20, 2019 9:41 am Norfolk What an embarrassing statement for Australian property & building inspections APBI to make: that they accept and support “most common practices followed by builders" in their checking of works. This admission is far worse than any mistake or omission they have made with your place. They should be checking their customer’s building works to confirm they meet the Australian standards that are referenced in the national construction code NCC If they are not doing this then they are patently misrepresenting their services and deceiving customers. If they have admitted to you they don’t check to the standards in the NCC and just check to common (and often inappropriate) building practices this is useless and they should refund your money and any additional costs you have incurred due to this misrepresentation. They should also refund other customers who have paid for their inspections on the understanding they are checking building works meet NCC standards. Let’s give APBI the opportunity to confirm and expand on their statement to brightstarshine and explain why they offer construction inspection services but don’t inspect and report on building works based on the Australian standards as referenced in the NCC. @Small Minds @small Minds what do you think? Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 10Nov 20, 2019 9:57 am brightstarshine Hello all, We are a little bit disappointed with the Building Inspector who did the final stage inspection for our place. We were traveling on work and expected that they would catch some basic issues. After we returned we found quite a few issues with our build that are clearly visible to our bear eyes, some of them are unpainted door edges, missing stop taps, marks on the walls, uneven flooring on the garage, space between the skirting on the garage flooring etc and much more. These are very obvious things to catch which were never noted by the BI. What should we do? Cheers Not uncommon from my experience. Quite often your BI will know your Site Super and would rather maintain his network of contacts than do the right thing by his client. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 11Nov 20, 2019 11:42 am Althom brightstarshine Hello all, We are a little bit disappointed with the Building Inspector who did the final stage inspection for our place. We were traveling on work and expected that they would catch some basic issues. After we returned we found quite a few issues with our build that are clearly visible to our bear eyes, some of them are unpainted door edges, missing stop taps, marks on the walls, uneven flooring on the garage, space between the skirting on the garage flooring etc and much more. These are very obvious things to catch which were never noted by the BI. What should we do? Cheers Not uncommon from my experience. Quite often your BI will know your Site Super and would rather maintain his network of contacts than do the right thing by his client. This is what I too discovered when looking to rectify the issue my Sons having with his builder, the BI I spoke to listened to what I had to say and then said, 'I know the SS, great bloke' which he may very well be, but I instantly thought the same, what chance have you got really when they're all known to each other. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 12Nov 20, 2019 12:06 pm Bent_8 This is what I too discovered when looking to rectify the issue my Sons having with his builder, the BI I spoke to listened to what I had to say and then said, 'I know the SS, great bloke' which he may very well be, but I instantly thought the same, what chance have you got really when they're all known to each other. and may want to work for the builder later etc. I get the impression a few of the site supervisors have worked for a few different builders.. so yes, nobody wants to burn their bridges. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 13Nov 20, 2019 7:35 pm There are two issues here The first one is competency. Your inspector should be a building consultant with tertiary qualifications and extensive building experience, which is much more than a building inspector. This is not only to identify defect but also to give expert opinion recommendations and guidance. However competency alone is not enough. The second is integrity which obviously is not related to education and experience but to the character, values and independence. This is why in my business I say I have no friends because I call it as it is regardless of whose nose gets out of joint. Many times I said no to offers of co- operation from re agents 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: Building inspector - not really worth it 14Nov 20, 2019 9:32 pm Norfolk What an embarrassing statement for Australian property & building inspections APBI to make: that they accept and support “most common practices followed by builders" in their checking of works. This admission is far worse than any mistake or omission they have made with your place. They should be checking their customer’s building works to confirm they meet the Australian standards that are referenced in the national construction code NCC If they are not doing this then they are patently misrepresenting their services and deceiving customers. If they have admitted to you they don’t check to the standards in the NCC and just check to common (and often inappropriate) building practices this is useless and they should refund your money and any additional costs you have incurred due to this misrepresentation. They should also refund other customers who have paid for their inspections on the understanding they are checking building works meet NCC standards. Let’s give APBI the opportunity to confirm and expand on their statement to brightstarshine and explain why they offer construction inspection services but don’t inspect and report on building works based on the Australian standards as referenced in the NCC. @Small Minds @small Minds what do you think? I'm quite disappointed with the response I received from APBI, they simply told me to get lost (the biz manager said "she cannot give a refund since they have done an inspection and provided a report"), I am free to do whatever I like. I only requested them to update the report with the missed out items, since they dint agree to include them in the report, although they acknowledged that these items I provided as photo proofs were missing. Since it was not provided in the report, and I have to spend several hours after hours going through the QBCC tolerances guide and convincing my builder to fix them. My builder finally agreed to fix them, since I pointed out the QBCC guide. The question is when I can do it, why cant a building inspector include obvious defects in a report. So I've asked them for a refund they did not agree to refund since the (incomplete) report has been provided. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 15Nov 20, 2019 9:46 pm luxbuild Bent_8 This is what I too discovered when looking to rectify the issue my Sons having with his builder, the BI I spoke to listened to what I had to say and then said, 'I know the SS, great bloke' which he may very well be, but I instantly thought the same, what chance have you got really when they're all known to each other. and may want to work for the builder later etc. I get the impression a few of the site supervisors have worked for a few different builders.. so yes, nobody wants to burn their bridges. No wonder, building industry requires more regulation to stop issues with large multi-storied apartments, like what happened in SYD a few months back. Ultimately, the customer is the one who pays the price. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 16Nov 20, 2019 9:48 pm Just for the record, I really don't care about a refund, however, I'd have moved forward if they provided and updated report along with an apology note/email for doing a run on the mill inspection. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 17Nov 21, 2019 6:36 am brightstarshine said " QBCC tolerances guide and convincing my builder to fix them. My builder finally agreed to fix them, since I pointed out the QBCC guide" Your builder is well aware of QBCC tolerances guide because it is part of competence for builder's registration, so the problem is not there. Your builder knows! The problem is lack of integrity, dishonesty and the shortcuts builders have been getting away with so long in not delivering on their promises and not being pulled up for that. If a builder walks past a defect (something he would not allow on his own home) hoping to get away with it then its plainly dishonest. Until we have a system of demerit to keep builders in line nothing better will happen Until then get assistance from experienced building consultant 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: Building inspector - not really worth it 18Nov 21, 2019 7:19 am Australian Property & Building Inspections APBI stated afterwards to brightstarshine that they did not intend to check the building works comply with Australian standards and tolerances. If they do not make the consumer aware of this before the sale they are mis representing their service and deceiving customers who are paying them to inspect on this basis. This behaviour is neither ethical or legal per Australian Consumer Law. I think the directors of APBI should be ashamed of themselves, and they should act immediately to apologise to and reimburse brightstarshine and other previous customers who have paid them good money for a service they have promised but not delivered. They should also make it very clear at all the point of sale communications that they do not intend to check to Australian standards and tolerances. This will allow potential customers to make up their own minds as to whether they are the right company for their home inspection. small_minds what’s your opinion?
Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 19Nov 21, 2019 4:59 pm I currently have them as my private inspector. The inspector they first gave me was ok, was able to identify numerous defects but come stage three, was told that he resigned and they sent another one to do our inspection. Was surprised how the report came from 20+ defects from the previous inspector to almost nothing. He was also supposed to check the ceiling and insulation of the property as that's one of the major point in the inspection but he wrote on the report that it's not yet installed. We have identified a lot of things too obvious which were not even in the report. I have been emailing their manager recently and told them I'm very dissatisfied with their service and would like another inspection. She was saying it is pointless as the plasterboard are already covering the ceiling. I might be asking for a refund but I doubt they will give in to that. Re: Building inspector - not really worth it 20Nov 21, 2019 6:01 pm TimBone I currently have them as my private inspector. The inspector they first gave me was ok, was able to identify numerous defects but come stage three, was told that he resigned and they sent another one to do our inspection. Was surprised how the report came from 20+ defects from the previous inspector to almost nothing. He was also supposed to check the ceiling and insulation of the property as that's one of the major point in the inspection but he wrote on the report that it's not yet installed. We have identified a lot of things too obvious which were not even in the report. I have been emailing their manager recently and told them I'm very dissatisfied with their service and would like another inspection. She was saying it is pointless as the plasterboard are already covering the ceiling. I might be asking for a refund but I doubt they will give in to that. They should be reported to fair trades or QBCC. I am trying to figure out how to report them but not sure if I have the energy to fight these big pockets. do not pay until you are satisfied with workmanship windows require flashing over the head archithrave and up under weatherboards 3 28287 I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 2273 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 45554 |