STAGE INSPECTIONS - THE PROCESS
You’re getting to contract with your builder and starting to imagine what your build will be like. Maybe you knew already that you would want an independent building inspector looking out for your build, or maybe it’s just come to your attention that it might come in handy.
A few situations lend themselves to the 3rd party inspector - like if you don’t currently live in the area so you can’t watch the progress. Or if you’ve built before and it didn’t go well…you may have some reservations about builders.
Here’s a bit of information that should help you in the early stages (while you’re still planning and going through the DA process) that will help you imagine what it’s like.
When you sign your build contract, you’ll notice the progress payments. Stage inspections should line up pretty closely with the payment stages. Often, what that looks like is this:
Base Stage = Pre-slab inspection
Frame Stage = Wall and roof frame inspection
Enclosed A: N/A
Enclosed B = Pre-lining/lockup inspection
Fixing A = Waterproofing inspection
Fixing B = Practical completion inspection (Handover)
The idea there, is that the inspections follow the natural progress of the build and at these places in the build, there are opportunities to course-correct or fix issues before they get covered up by the next stage. We work closely with your site supervisor to make sure we get in and inspect prior to the build moving forward.
We aren’t there to pick them apart, we only want to help. Our inspections are done to the same code as what your builder is using, along with the same Standards and Tolerances.
There will be a clause in your contract that you’re not able to “withhold payment” from the builder bar the final payment, but in that space between progress and stages, there is the opportunity to make sure your build meets your expectations. Your specific concerns can be heard and if there’s anything that you don’t understand about your build, it gives your builder a chance to explain in greater detail.
Depending on the size of your build, you may require extra stages but when you get in touch with Dwell Building Services to look after your new build, we’ll work it out.
#stageinspections #newbuild #buildinginspector #buildingcontract #kingsforest
