A new home inspection should have 4 separate inspections conducted throughout construction.

By covering all of  these stages you ensure that nothing goes well and the end result you will have a quality built home.

1.SLAB STAGE (PRIOR TO POURING CONCRETE)

The slab stage or the base stage inspection is essential as errors in floor-slabs can cause a devastating outcome, which sometimes may not come to light until a few years later. You should have inspection carried out prior to the pouring of concrete; it will give you great peace of mind.

Items to be checked are:

• Levels are checked to confirm the slab has been installed within allowable deviation in the over level across the room or the entire build.
• Check all the beams and footings.
• Check the edge rebate to ensure it is not “honeycombed” and there is no evidence of steel reinforcement protruding as it must have at least 40 mm concrete coverage.
• The vapour barrier must extend past the poured concrete slab with adequate overlap left so that it extends up the side wall of the slab past the final finished ground level once the construction is completed.
• Termite protection barrier installation, where needed.
• Steel reinforcement is secured and tied at lap and splices.

2.FRAME STAGE

Frame stage inspection is carried out after the frame has been completed.

Frame stage inspections are conducted providing an independent assessment of the works to confirm they have been completed ready for stage payment. Our review monitors the frame with respect to the approved construction methods stipulated in Australian Standard 1684.2 and the Engineers design requirements as detailed on the Approved Plans.

Items to check should include -:

• The installation of windows and door frames are checked at this stage.
• Frame positioning in relation to the supporting slab is checked with any overhanging tolerances along with load bearing timbers, lintels and orientation of Jack Studs above openings.
• Items such as the correct number of timber blocks and their securing method are checked along with all bracing, mechanical fasteners, tie downs and anchors.
• Any Issues relating to ceiling Height
• The correct location of plumbing waste outlets.
• The insulation wrap around the frame has not been torn (this can only be inspected before the plasterboard is fitted to the frame inside the home).

A frame Inspections is highly recommended and necessary for ensuring that the building frame structure is solid and meets design requirements.

3.LOCK UP STAGE

Lock up stage Inspections are important before you hand over one of the largest stage payments to your builder.

The lock up stage inspections is carried out when a home’s external wall cladding and roof covering is fixed, the flooring is laid and the external doors and windows are fixed to the frame (even if those doors and windows are only temporary).

Items to inspect include:

• Inspect the roofing that is installed to ensure it is complete and free of defects and damage, all flashings are installed.
• A visual inspection is carried out to check the installation of flashings.
• Brick work is checked for correct installation.
• All windows and doors are installed with the correct fixings using appropriate blocks and the frame straight.
• The installed plaster to the ceilings, wall linings and fitted cornice is checked to ensure it is installed to acceptable standards.
• Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas are inspected to ensure they are correctly installed and comply with the requirements of the Building Code.
• There is adequate fall applied to the gutters around the house and the garage.
• There are no cracked, chipped or broken bricks.

Ensure that at lock up stage everything has been fully and properly completed and that all building works at the lock up stage have been completed compliant with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and all relevant Australian Standards.

4.HANDOVER

New construction Inspections require an thorough check of the construction. At handover inspection check that all the work completed ensuring that the workmanship is at an industry standard.

The construction of the dwelling needs to reflect the Approved Plans and we check that all components of the building comply with relevant Australian Standards and Building Codes.

Handover or Final stage inspections are also called Practical Completion Inspections (PCI) and Pre Handover Inspections.

Some of the key items checked during this inspection are:

• The roof above the house and the garage to make sure there are no points where rainwater can enter the house and damage the insulation and plasterboard etc. inside the house.
• All internal cladding, architraves, skirting, doors, built in shelves, baths, basins, troughs, sinks, cabinets, vanity units, bench tops and cupboards of a home are correctly fitted and fixed in position compliant with the relevant building plans and specifications, the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian standards and tolerances.
• The correct installation of the waterproof membranes in the wet areas (e.g., ensuites and bathrooms).

If you want to manage and keep track of your project costs, timeframes, photos, emails and payments then head to TheRealestateUno.com.