New Build Staged Construction Inspections

1. Pre-Slab Inspection

A Pre-Slab inspection is exactly as it sounds. This is 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.

• Checking moisture membrane have been installed as per NCC requirements.
• Placement of the steel, splicing and lapping of bars done correctly.
• Waffle pod checks, Ribs and beams are compliant with design and dimensions.
• Sufficient concrete cover of reinforcement.
• Check piers have been drilled in the correct locations under the ribs and edge beams.
• Provisions for termite protection is in place.
• Check dimensions and ensure they are within tolerances.

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2. Framing Inspection

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.

Framing inspection includes:

• We check all dimensions to ensure they are correct as per the plans.
• Checking framing members for plumb, square and straight walls.
• Check Panel bracing is installed as per framing design.
• Check Strap bracing is completed as per design.
• Check K bracing as per design for steel framing.
• Check Particle board flooring and FC sheeting is installed with sufficient fixings and as per manufacturer requirements.
• Check struts have been installed at eaves where needed.
• All structural steel and bolts align with engineer’s design and are integrated with the framing correctly including tie downs and straps.
• All tie downs to ground floor and first floor as installed as per framing design.
• All roof tie downs are completed as per framing design.
• Frame overhang checks ensuring they are within tolerances.

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3. Pre-lining Inspection

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

Pre-Lining inspection includes:

• Checking the plumbing services are installed in the correct manner and correct locations.
• Ensure no electrical cables have been damaged or cut during installation.
• Check all mechanical exhaust for bathrooms have been roughed in especially on the ground floor.
• Check sarking has been installed as per requirements for walls and roof.
• Gutters and down pipes are in the correct location.
• All roof flashing checked i.e. Apron flashings, Saddle flashings, parapet flashings have been installed as per NCC requirements.
• Check Roof coverings regardless of if its tiles or sheet roof.
• Check brick overhang if brick construction.
• Articulation joint locations and compliance.
• Check Brickwork installation quality, consistent bed and perp thickness and within tolerances of referenced standards.
• Brick overhang of slab edge within tolerances.
• Weepholes installed in correct locations.
• Check installation of cladding has been installed as per manufacturer requirements i.e. Hebel, polystyrene, fibre cement cladding etc.

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4. Lock-Up/Waterproofing

The lock-up stage is as it sounds. The building is at the point where all Linings, windows, doors, gutters, and 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.

It’s important we inspect this stage before any tiling as we want to check waterproofing compliance with AS3740-2010 or AS3740-2021 or National construction code 2022 new requirements.

Waterproofing regulations is having lots of changes and updates. Its extremely important they are executed correctly for the long Gevity of the bathroom waterproofing.

At this stage, we check:

• Plasterboard finishes
• Sufficient fixings to plasterboard and setting width and joints are completed as per AS2589-2007 Gypsum linings.
• Check any cabinetry (if installed at the time of inspection) No issue if not.
• Quality check of all fit-out carpentry, i.e. doors, jambs, skirtings, architraves, cavity sliders, Stairs etc
• Check lining to wet areas. Very important they have been installed as per manufacturer requirements with sufficient fixings.
• Check that only water-resistant materials are used within wet areas.
• Waterproofing check for compliance with relevant standards and manufacturer installation requirements.
• Waterproofing checks to balconies and compliance with relevant standards.

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5. PCI-Practical Completion Inspection

Practical completion is, as the name suggests, 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 cleaning before our inspection.

Usually, the builder will do a walk through with you where they will mark out any defects you are not happy with, generally cosmetic, paint defects etc

Practical completion we check:

• All finishes to both interior and exterior, wall linings, brickwork
• Paint finish and coverage.
• Expansion joints/Articulation joints caulked effectively.
• Check benchtops and cabinetry for scratches and damage.
• Check doors and cabinetry work as they should.
• Plumbing checks for leaks and that all traps have been installed.
• Check that all mechanical ventilation has been vented as per code.
• Check all doors have been sealed as per code requirements.
• Check Site drainage to slab surround complying with NCC requirements.
• Check landscaping (if any)
• Check driveways (if any)
• All tiles to be checked if they are drummy.
• Quality check of tile finishes.
• Shower screens installed as per Standard requirements integrated with the waterproofing water stop.

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