New Manly Build Staged Construction Inspections

What is a new build staged construction?

New build staged construction inspections involve a series of building inspections throughout the construction of a new Manly home. From where your property is only a slab of concrete to the handover of the keys to your brand-new home, new-build multi-stage inspections ensure that the construction process is of high quality and compliant with building codes and other safety standards every step of the way. Building a house (or any kind of building) from the ground up is long and often arduous. So, having checkpoints along the way to ensure everything is going smoothly will help identify mistakes and prevent future issues. 

Unlike building surveyor inspections, new build staged construction inspections are third-party evaluations that offer you a second pair of expert eyes on your new build. Generally, building companies (especially project home Builders) have many jobs at once, and the supervisors are looking after 10 or so homes which is impossible to do! This is where issues arise, and trades get away with poor workmanship. Having third-party inspections ensures your project is a quality build throughout, and many years later, you’re not having major issues with your new home.

We are a small business that cares about quality and attention to detail, and we’re ready to earn your trust as your new building inspector specialising in the Manly area. 

Stages of New Manly Builds

New build staged construction inspections are broken down into checkpoints. However, there’s no industry standard for how many stages there are, and it depends on the build itself. We’ll review the six most common stages in a new build staged construction inspection and what each stage entails. 

Pre-Slab Inspection

A Pre-Slab inspection is exactly as it sounds. An inspection before pouring the concrete slab into 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 ensuring they are within tolerances
• Checking that the installation is correct and according to plan

Framing Inspection

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

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

Pre-lining Inspection

This inspection is not always done by other firms. Still, we think it’s very important as once the plasterboard is installed, we can see behind the walls and are not sure if any trades have cut corners or have done shotty workmanship. In the past, we have seen plumbers cut studs to run the plumbing and electricians do similar questionable work.

Pre-Lining inspection includes

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

Lock-Up/Waterproofing

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. We must inspect this stage before 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 carpentry, ie doors, jambs, skirtings, architraves
• Waterproofing check 

PCI-Practical Completion Inspection

Practical completion is, as the name suggests, this inspection is completed just before handover so you can rectify defects 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. For clients who only have this stage of the inspection completed and none of the previous stages, the defects will likely be more cosmetic as now many 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 project carries on.

Practical completion we check:

• All finishes to both interior and exterior, wall linings, brickwork
• 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 to landscape
• Check driveways
• Ensure locks and doors work as they should

Not sure what a new build stage inspection will look like for a new home in your area? Contact us today for more information!

End of Defect liability Inspection

This inspection is usually completed after 90 days. It will allow you to address the builder with issues that you would like rectified or perhaps certain things have deteriorated since the handover. For example, carpet joins showing through, tap leaks, and cracked tiles. We will check all items as per practical completion, and of course, you will be able to provide insight into areas you have concerns with which we can thoroughly investigate.

We like to pay extra attention to the moisture readings in 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 in internal and external walls.

Why are new build staged construction inspections important?

Building a new home in Manly requires time, money and dedication. You’ll be putting a lot of effort into your new property, and at the very least, you’ll want to ensure that everything is of high quality, safe and functional when you’re finally able to move in.

Here are a few reasons why new build multi-stage inspections are important.

• Catch issues before it’s too late, and major work is required to rectify them (even then, they are never as good as if it was done the first time correctly)
• Ensure safety and functionality 
• Third-party insight vs building surveyor inspections (Many building certifiers are in the Builders Pocket)
• Peace of mind
• Ensure you get what you pay for from the builder
• Quality control
• Prevent future deterioration of your home from poor construction methods and quality

Using a multi-stage approach, you can catch any issues that might arise during the building process before it’s too late or extremely costly and time-consuming to rectify. When you can fix any mistakes before adding layers to them, it’s much simpler and more cost-effective.

Another thing to note is that the building surveyor inspections that certify new builds could sometimes be less thorough or diligent due to the building company using the business regularly.

How much does a new build stage inspection cost?

The cost of a new build multi-stage inspection will vary. Each quote depends on the following:

• How many stages of the inspection would you like inspected
• The building size

When it comes to a new build staged construction inspection, you’ll usually get what you pay for. While you can often find competitive rates among inspectors, it’s important to understand that your cheapest option isn’t always ideal. Especially when building your new home, you’ll be pouring a lot of money into construction costs. After patiently waiting for months or even years for the final result, the last thing you want is unexpected expenses. 

So, think of a new build staged construction inspection as an investment in the safety and quality of your new home.

New Build Staged Construction Inspection | Manly

Clear View property inspections offer new build staged constructions inspections and many other kinds of building inspections. We do things a little differently than others in the industry. We are a small business we’re a one-person show – and by foregoing the need to grow fast or scale our business exponentially, we’d much rather provide high-quality building inspections with premium customer service and strong attention to detail. After all, you want an inspector you can trust when building your new home. Choose Clear View and book your New Manly Build Multi-Stage Inspection today! Call now.

Suburb of Manly

People who grew up in Manly and its surroundings tend to stick around because the lifestyle is addictive. Manly has seen an influx of newbies seeking the outdoor lifestyle, and a thriving ex-pat community has taken up permanent residence, bringing their cultural flavours with them.
Stroll down the Beachfront or Manly Wharf, and you will get a sense of what Manly siders like to do in their spare time. Surfing, beaches, coves and inlets provide a water wonderland for surfers, kayakers, parasailers, swimmers, divers and snorkelers. 

Along the shoreline, walkers and joggers pound the extensive pathways that wind through North Head Sanctuary and into Sydney Harbour National Park. The Corso in the heart of Manly. A pedestrian mall lined with local shops, bars, cafés and galleries, this busy social hub is the main thoroughfare between the ferry wharf and Manly Beach and home to the weekly Manly Markets, which boast emerging designers and artists. Crowds descend on this sun-soaked suburb twice a year to indulge their senses at the annual Manly Jazz Festival and the Taste of Manly Festival. Mother Nature is Manly’s biggest drawcard during the rest of the year.

Manly is said to be expensive to live in, but I can say it would be the perfect place to do just that. Restaurants, entertainment and shopping, are aplenty to fill your spare time. There are many things to do in Manly. If you’re a local, you will support your local rugby league team Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. It’s a must-do with great crowds attending the games it is an enjoyable thing to do with friends or families. If you have a family and are considering moving to Manly, rest assured you have many great schools to choose from. Some to consider would be Manly Village Public School, St Marys Catholic School, St Pauls Catholic College Manly, and St Kieren’s Catholic Primary are great choices. Overall, Manly should be on the top of your list of places to visit or live if it’s within your budget.