A building inspection is an invaluable tool for identifying potential problems or poor conditions in both older and newly constructed properties. A practical completion inspection serves essentially as a checklist to ensure that a newly constructed home is in a sound condition, built to both contract and applicable construction standards.
While a building inspection is important at the practical completion stage and handover stages, what about during the actual key construction phases? Does it make sense to inspect the home before it nears completion?
A new build would indeed benefit from an inspection during construction, if only to head off any problems early in the construction. But there’s even more incentive to inspect your new home during the build phase. In fact, there are a number of good reasons to inspect as a property is being built.
A professional building inspector will appraise the condition of all areas of a building, from the foundation to the roof and surrounding property. Floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, cabinetry, windows, doors and drainage are all included in this comprehensive inspection. A building inspection can identify a problem for the owner or builder before it becomes costly, or even hazardous.
Inspection of the building during construction accomplishes a number of important goals:
- It allows for a more thorough inspection into areas that are still open for access. Water proofing, for instance, can be checked before the walls are closed and finished in tiles. House pads can be checked prior to flooring being installed.
- Any deviation from building plans can be detected and brought to the owner and builder’s attention. Early detection means less expensive and potentially a timelier correction.
- Any conditions or potential problems would be documented, providing future reference in cases where liability issues become a legal matter. In this regard, inspection throughout the build is even more valuable.
- A building inspection can verify that the proper building materials are being used for construction of the home as requested by contract, or as specified by local code. Materials like insulation of the appropriate rating can only be verified during construction phase.
- A building inspection provides the owner a unique opportunity to examine all areas of the home during a walk-through with the inspector. This is a chance to see areas which will be less accessible, or even invisible to the owner after construction is completed. Understanding how the home is constructed, and where certain things are located within the building, will be useful for any future remodelling plans and home maintenance.
- Grading or drainage issues can be addressed while correction is still possible. For instance, an inspection prior to paving might determine that the driveway grade will cause water to pond around the structure.
For better or worse, an inspection at hand over essentially serves as valuable peace of mind that the construction has been completed consistent with the contractual obligations, or that significant issues have been appropriately identified and documented. An inspection at handover can only identify issues that can be visually identified at that point of time and hence may not be able to identify issues which have covered by subsequent construction stages.
As with any project, new construction is more likely to go according to plan and stay within budget the more progress and workmanship are checked during the process. A new home is built to last for many years, and is the largest investment most people will make in their lives. It’s good sense – and an important safeguard against incurring expensive repairs later on– to have your new home inspected during construction. Make sure your new home is being built according to your plans, before any problems become your responsibility.
Need more information – contact Houspect WA on 08 9240 8855.
