When you are building a new home you will obviously seek a reputable builder who will do the job to your plans and specifications. However, even highly experienced builders make mistakes during construction or poor design creates problems and defects. It is therefore important to have stage inspections to ensure that the project conforms to relevant building codes and standards.
Stage inspections are a crucial aspect of any new build or major renovation. An independent building inspector can provide a report before your builder moves onto the next stage, helping to ensure that any defects are caught early and can be rectified with minimal stress. Inspections that include detailed reports, photographs, and helpful references to applicable building codes are available from Houspect Victoria. We will also provide a final inspection which is also referred to as a Practical Completion or Handover.
Thorough Stage Inspections
Houspect reports are thorough and include relevant details about incomplete works and defects found during the inspection. You will have information in an easily digestible format, including:
- Slab Down or Base stage
- Frame
- Lock up (also known as pre-plaster)
- Fixing (when plaster, waterproofing and cabinetry is ready)
- Final (Practical Completion and Handover)
Our reporting is accumulative, ensuring any visible previous defects and concerns are re-checked and reported on in each new report. We watch out for you.
We can handle any type of new build or renovation inspection in Melbourne and many regional areas of Victoria, including Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Warragul and surrounding areas. It is our aim to provide local communities throughout Australia with access to professional services from a building inspection company with over 35 years experience.
Consequences of Stage Defects
Stage defects can impact on the structural integrity of your new home or renovation. Whilst it is important to inspect a new build at every key stage, the final stage inspection is especially important. If you allow your builders to leave the site and finish the job before having a final inspection carried out there may be dire consequences. You may not be able to move into your new home if it is discovered that work does not comply with relevant Victoria building codes.
Raising disputes with builders after the fact is typically more stressful than discussing defects that are discovered during a stage inspection. Builders are generally receptive to feedback from a stage inspection when it has been carried out by a reputable and impartial third party such as Houspect.
The Houspect Approach
At Houspect, our fully qualified builders are licensed by the Victorian Building Authority (Domestic Builder Unlimited, or INL which means they have the diploma of building surveying). Be wary of companies that have inspectors with no VBA registration posing as builders. They might say they are licensed but they are referring to their own company internal “licence” which is not the industry standard of the VBA licensing. They may have studied building but have never passed the rigorous VBA registration process.
Houspect uses an accumulative methodology. As we conduct assessments at each stage of your build, items are marked for revision. This means that your building inspector will re-assess previous defects to ensure that the contractor has rectified the problem and brought the build up to expected standards. We use a checklist system that allows our building inspectors to provide a methodical report.
Houspect building inspectors take an impartial approach which means that all reports are based on the building codes and tolerances. This ethos can help homeowners and developers avoid unnecessary disputes with builders. We understand that a new build is a stressful experience, so easing any potential tensions between all parties involved is one of our core values.
If you need stage inspections from a building inspection company you can rely on in Victoria or surrounding areas, reach out to Houspect on 03 9808 4000 or email info@houspect.com.au.
