Independent Building Inspections Sydney

Benefits of Independent Building Inspections

Independent building inspections have a multitude of benefits for property investors in Sydney. For instance, receiving a thorough inspection by an expert can alert individuals to potential issues or defects with the property before purchasing it. This can ultimately save the investor time, money, and stress by avoiding unexpected repairs or legal issues down the line. Additionally, independent building inspections can provide peace of mind to property investors by ensuring that the property they are investing in is safe and up to code.

Independent building inspections help investors negotiate a better purchasing price for the property by identifying any issues or concerns that need to be addressed. In short, independent building inspections are a crucial investment for any property investor in Sydney. By obtaining an independent building inspection, property investors can make informed decisions and protect their investments. Independent building inspections will help investors avoid potential health hazards such as mould and asbestos that might be present in the property.

Ensuring the safety and structural integrity of the building

One of the most important benefits of independent building inspections is ensuring the safety and structural integrity of the building. They can provide potential buyers with valuable information about the condition of the property and its overall value. This involves inspecting the building from top to bottom and checking for any signs of damage or wear and tear. The inspection includes examining the roof, foundations, electrical and plumbing systems, walls, floors, ceilings and other structural components of the building. By identifying any weaknesses, safety hazards, or potential issues with the property’s structural integrity, investors can make informed decisions about the value and viability of their investment. Independent building inspections are crucial for property investors as they provide valuable information about their investments’ condition and safety. A licensed inspector will help investors understand any maintenance and repairs that will be required in the future.

Identifying potential problems before they become major issues

Identifying potential problems before they become major is another significant benefit of independent building inspections. This can save property investors significant money and time, as identifying issues before purchasing a property allows them to avoid costly repairs after the purchase. Additionally, identifying potential problems before they become major issues can also help property investors negotiate the purchasing price of a property. This is because any issues with the property can impact its value and overall safety. It is always better to identify potential problems before they become major issues, as this can help property investors save time and money. Furthermore, regular independent building inspections can also help property investors identify any potential changes or updates required to maintain their investment’s safety and integrity.

Process of Independent Building Inspections in Sydney NSW

The process of independent building inspections in Sydney NSW typically involves a thorough examination of the property by a licensed inspector. The inspector will provide a detailed report of their findings, typically including written documentation and pictures. The report will generally cover the following areas: foundation, structural integrity, roofing, electrical systems, plumbing systems (including detection of leaks), flooring and walls, and any potential safety hazards. It is recommended that property investors hire a licensed and experienced building inspector who has attained all necessary certifications to perform the inspection. Investors should also ensure that the building inspector follows all applicable laws and regulations in performing the inspection.

How to find an independent building inspector

To find an independent building inspector in Sydney NSW, property investors can start by researching online or through local business directories. We recommend you ask for referrals from other property investors or real estate professionals. It is important to ensure that the independent building inspector has a good reputation and extensive experience in conducting building inspections. Before selecting a building inspector, it is important to check their credentials and certifications. This can be done by contacting relevant industry bodies and verifying the inspector’s license and experience. Enquire about the inspector’s professional indemnity and public liability insurance coverage. This coverage is important in case any issues or damages arise during the inspection process.

From our experience, if you’re using a high-end builder and paying good money for a custom build, you have a good chance you will get what you paid for but if you’re using a project builder whether large or small you will be in for a shock. Unless these guys are managed by independent building inspectors the work that they produce can be scary bad.

The problem is not that the builder doesn’t want to do a good job, but the projects are poorly managed, with supervisors running ten jobs at once and unable to supervise the projects correctly. Trades are squeezed heavily because the builder provides them with volume work which means the trades rush the job producing poor quality work. This is all recipe for substandard work. A thorough property inspection will be mandatory.

By having your own independent building inspections, you are basically supervising the work yourself and directing repairs to be done to issues found during the inspections.

Clear View Independent Property Inspection Services

Independent building inspections are a great way to produce the best quality work from your construction project.

My Builder said we have a private certifier and he ensures the building is built correctly.

Ok, let’s clarify. The certifier should check things like reinforcement before the slab is pours, framing, structural steel etc but let me tell you 99 percent of the time we have visited sites after the certifier has been through and found serious major defects which should have been checked.

The issues are similar to the trades. The builder gives the certifier and abundance of work and many times they don’t even go onsite and if they do, they will not give any grief to the builder because they want to keep getting the repeat work.

Private certifiers are not there to look at quality either. I have never seen one measure slab dimensions, plumbing pipe location, rooms dimension, etc.

Arranging your own independent building inspections could be your own saving grace and give you peace of mind during your project. It’s a small fee for an extra set of eyes for something that is basically a life time investment.

Once the home is completed, it’s very hard to fix major defects that should have been found at the start. Identifying major issues and having them repaired before they become a problem is the best thing to do by using and independent building inspector.

Imagine identifying a major issue when the project is almost complete and trying to get the builder to fix it. You will hear every excuse under the sun and you have paid most of your progress payments so its hard to hold an overly large amount over the builder. The builder will do a cheap fix and send you on your way.

Clear View – Multi-Stage Building or Property Inspections

Independent building inspections available are:

Stage 1: Pre-slab inspection

A Pre-Slab inspection is exactly as it sounds. An inspection prior to pouring the concrete slab for your home.

We check all aspects of the formwork, reinforcement and dimensions to ensure it complies with the architectural plans.

Slab inspections include:

• Checking for moisture membranes
• Placement of the steel
• Barrier provisions for termite protection
• Dimensions and ensure they are within tolerances
• Checking that the installation is correct and according to plan

Stage 2. Framing:

Frame inspection is completed once the complete framing is erected. Walls, roof trusses or conventional roofing including all bracing etc

This is a very important stage as the frame is the main structure of the building and a poor-quality installation could have serious defects down the line.

Rob and his team using Termatrac – Termite Barrier

Framing inspection include:

• Similar to Pre-Slab we check all dimensions to ensure they are correct as per the plans.
• Checking framing member for plumb, square and straight walls.
• Check tie downs and bracing are as per engineer details
• Check dimension and locations of doors and windows
• Check Physical Termite barrier has been installed as per code
• We also give the completed slab a once over to ensure no major shrinkage cracks etc

Stage 3. Pre-lining inspection:

This inspection is not always done by other firms but we think its very important as once the plasterboard is installed, we can not see behind the walls and you can’t be sure if any trades have cut corners or have done poor workmanship.

In the past we have seen plumbers cut frames to run the plumbing and electricians do similar questionable work.

Pre-Lining inspection include:

• Checking the plumbing services are installed in the correct manner and correct locations
• Ensure sufficient blocking to plumbing pipes etc
• Ensure sufficient blocking has been installed for cabinetry, toilet accessories, shelving’s, wall mounted TVs etc
• Check that previous recommendations made to frame has been implemented.
• Check brick ties have been installed correctly
• Check Roof coverings and Brickwork for defects

Stage 4. Lock up/Waterproofing

Lock up stage is as it sounds. The building is at the point where all Linings, windows, doors, gutters, garage doors are complete. It’s getting very close to the final stages.

At this stage acceptable finishes are very important to ensure a quality job is handed over to you.

Its important we inspect this stage prior to any tiling as we want to check waterproofing compliance with AS3740-2010

At this stage we check:

• Plasterboard finishes
• Sufficient fixings to plasterboard and cabinetry
• Quality check of all fix out carpentry, ie doors, jambs, skirtings, architraves etc
• Waterproofing check

Detailed property report to enumerate possible defects and the repair cost estimate

Stage 5. PCI- Practical Completion.

PCI-Practical Completion Inspection – Practical completion is as the name suggest, this inspection is completed just before handover so you can have defects rectified before you receive the keys to your new home, ready to move in.

It’s always best to have the builder do the initial clean prior to our inspection.

For clients who only have this stage of the inspection completed and none of the previous stages its likely the defects we find will be more cosmetic as now many defects are hidden behind wall linings and not visible to the inspector.

The other potential issue is sometimes major defects can be found at this final stage which can cause a lot of stress for both the builder and client as rectification could be timely and costly at this stage of the project.

Compared to clients who have had regular inspections, the defects are found sooner and rectified as the projects carries on.

Practical completion that a reliable building inspector will check:

• All finishes to both interior and exterior, wall linings, brick work
• Paint finish and coverage
• Plumbing working as they should
• Floor coverings for defects
• Expansion joints and silicon as required
• Check benchtops and cabinetry for scratches
• Check electrical and appliances to ensure everything is operational.
• Check Site drainage has been completed as per plans
• Check landscaping
• Check driveways
• Ensure locks, doors work as they should

Stage 6. End of Defect Liability inspection.

This inspection is usually completed after 90 days and will give you the opportunity to address the builder with issues that you would like rectified or perhaps certain things have deteriorated since hand over. For example, carpet joins showing through, tap leaks, cracked tiles etc

We will check all items as per Practical completion and of course you will be able to provide in-sight to areas you have concern with to which we can do a thorough investigation in.

Things we like to pay extra attention to is the moisture readings to bathrooms as they should not read at high levels being a newly built home.

• High level moisture readings could identify waterproofing failure or plumbing issues within the walls.
• Ensuring the site drainage is working well and the property surrounds are draining well.
• No cracks to internal and external walls

These are some of the inspections and independent building inspection report can provide. We highly recommend you engage your own independent building inspector such us the Clear View building inspection team during the construction stage of your new home.