Stage Inspection Ipswich
Building a new home in Ipswich?
Make sure each stage of your build is properly completed with a stage inspection. You don’t want to invest your money into a new home only to find it has serious defects down the track. Stage inspections help to prevent this from happening by inspecting the property at each critical stage of the build.
What are stage inspections?
Stage inspections take place at key milestones during the building process to ensure each ‘stage’ of the build has been correctly completed. These key stages include the concrete slab pour/foundation, framing, lock-up, and pre-painting stages.
If one stage is not correct, it can have a significant and lasting impact on the rest of the build. Likewise, these defects also become more difficult to detect and rectify as each stage is completed. That's why it's so important to make sure you get independent stage inspections.
1. Foundation stage inspection
The foundation stage inspection is completed after the foundation ground and framework have been installed but before the slab is poured. Foundation problems can compromise the structural integrity of the home and may not become apparent for years to come. They can also be very complicated and expensive to repair.
For this reason, the foundation stage inspection is one of the most important stages of the build. It ensures all the elements of the foundation have been correctly installed including the footings, boxing, trenching and steel reinforcement.
2. Frame stage inspection
Once the wall and roof frame are up, a frame stage inspection needs to be completed. This ensures that the wall frames are straight, the bracing is correct, and the frame is structurally sound and properly placed on the slab. It also checks the quality of workmanship.
At this stage, the builder will also engage a building surveyor to ensure everything is up to code and Australian Standards. However, this inspection is often done quickly and won’t advise on issues outside of the building code. For example, if a wall frame isn’t completely straight, it may pass the building code but look unsightly once plastered.
An independent frame stage inspection ensures that the frame quality is done to a high standard of quality.
3. Lock up/waterproofing stage inspection
This inspection is completed once the external brickwork/wall cladding, windows, doors, flashings and roof covering have been installed. As the name suggests, this is the stage of the build where your home is able to be ‘locked up’ and secured.
It checks to ensure the home is waterproof. All internal and external building elements are checked to make sure they are correctly installed, straight and secured. This includes checking the roofing, external doors and windows, guttering, insulation wrap and eaves.
4. Pre-painting stage inspection
Many defects can be hidden behind paint, tiles and flooring. That’s why it's important to have an inspection completed before painting begins. The pre-painting stage inspection happens after the plaster has been installed and the ‘internal fix’ is complete.
The internal fix is a building term that refers to the architraves, skirting boards, doors, built-in shelves, baths, sinks and cupboards being ‘fixed’ into place. Any defects with these items are much easier to rectify before paint is applied and flooring is installed.
5. Practical Completion / Handover Inspection
Easily the most exciting stage of the build, this inspection takes place right before you make the final payment and move into the property. It is one final check of the home to make the builder has delivered a quality product and there are no outstanding issues. By this stage, any major defects should have been identified and/or rectified during the stage inspections.
Consequently, the practical completion inspection is only checking for minor issues, the quality of workmanship and last-minute fixes. These can include paint touch-ups, scratched/damaged items, incomplete caulking, broken tiles, damaged render and so on. Whilst these issues won’t affect the livability of the property, it is important to have these items rectified by the builder before you make payment.
If you have any issues with your builder, the best point of contact is Queensland Building and Construction Commission. They are Queensland's official regulation body and will be able to provide accurate advice and recommendations on how to proceed.
Have peace of mind with Dedant Building and Pest Inspections
For a thorough stage inspection Ipswich, book with Dedant Building and Pest Inspections. With all our inspectors having over 30 years of experience, you can trust that you're getting reliable and accurate information. You will find our inspectors and office staff to be friendly, professional and helpful.
If you would like to know more or to book, contact us on 07 3807 0122 or via our website.
