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Your Go-To Experts for New Construction Stage Inspections

Navigate Each Construction Phase with Confidence through Our Expert New Construction Stage Inspections.

Why Are Construction Stage Inspections Important?

As your new home progresses, construction stage inspections are key to confirming that every aspect meets high standards of compliance, quality, and safety. These inspections, conducted at pivotal moments during the build, are essential for identifying any potential issues promptly. Catching these issues early helps reduce the need for costly corrections and ensures that everything from the structural framework to the smallest fixtures is properly installed.

These examinations are fundamental in ensuring your home complies with building codes and regulations, safeguarding your investment and future well-being. They significantly contribute to the project’s integrity, ensuring its durability, and guaranteeing your satisfaction with the completed home.

How We Save You Money:

Our construction stage inspections aim to give you confidence and streamline your decision-making. We carefully evaluate your construction project at key points, pinpointing any issues early on. This early detection allows you to allocate your budget wisely for any necessary fixes prior to project completion. Our detailed reports present all findings clearly and concisely, giving you the power to decide on proceeding or discussing the project’s costs further.

A Closer Look at New Construction Stage Inspections

When Should I Book a Construction Stage Inspection?

Get a Construction Stage Inspection when Building A New House
Building A New House
Get a Construction Stage Inspection When Building a New House
Buying Off The Plan
Get a Construction Stage Inspection when Buying A New Home
Buying a New Home
Get a Construction Stage Inspection When Extending or Renovating
Extending or Renovating

Report Inclusions

Our new construction stage inspections ensure structural integrity and safety throughout construction. These inspections are crucial to meet the requirements for statutory warranties, ensuring that you can trust in the building of your new property. By conducting thorough inspections during the construction phase, your investment is safeguarded, and it guarantees that when you move into your new property, you can have confidence in its quality and dependability.

Ensuring work meets all safety and quality standards
Detecting potential issues prior to completion
Reducing the cost of future repairs or rework
Providing documentation of what was done and when throughout the project
Ensuring compliance with applicable building codes

The Team at Owner Inspections are available at all hours to take your query. Please contact our Construction Stage Inspection Specialists for a quote today!

 

building inspector holding a spirit level against a timber frame on a house under construction

Stage 1 – Bored Piers (Screw Piles) Inspection

We verify the foundation’s stability and correctness by inspecting the depth, positioning, and integrity of bored piers or screw piles, ensuring they align with the architectural plans before concrete is poured. 

View a sample Bored Piers Inspection report here.

Location of the piers
No. of piers
Depth of piers
Diameter of piers
Alignment and verticality
Site condition and type
Grouting integrity
Alignment and verticality
Site condition and type
graphic illustration showing how piers are bored into ground
Example Defects
visible defect in a bored pier showing the deteriorating condition of the hole
Detailed image of an incorrectly aligned bored pier, highlighting the severity of the defect
screw pile with visible signs of water, indicative of a potential defect
image identifying noticeable flaws in the sizing of the bore holes

Stage 2 – Slab Pre-Pour Inspection

We ensure the site is correctly prepared for the concrete slab, checking that reinforcement bars, waffle pods, and other components are properly positioned according to engineering specifications. 

View a sample Slab Pre-Pour Inspection report here.

Adherence to National Construction Codes (NCC)
Stormwater pipes
Rebars
Expansion joints
Curing systems
Steel reinforcement size
Engineering plans, proposals and specifications
Forming
Waffles placement
Requirements of AS/NZS (Steel reinforcing materials)
Sewer pipes
Concrete Cover
Slab thickness
Vapour barriers
Steel placement, laps and fixings
Slab penetrations
Soil conditions
Shrinkage steels
freshly poured slab of concrete beginning to set
Example Defects
a concrete slab pre-pour with improper reinforcement placement, a critical defect that can compromise the structure's integrity
image showcasing visible issues in the concrete slab pre-pour phase, demonstrating uneven surface and improper leveling
spray painted defects in the slab reinforcement before the concrete pouring
pre-pour slab area where voids and pockets can be observed, showing the presence of a defect

Stage 3 – Frame Inspection

Once the structural frame is up, we inspect for compliance with construction codes and design plans, assessing the frame’s structural integrity, material use, and installation.

View a sample Frame Inspection report here.

Requirements of National Construction Codes (NCC)
Structural integrity (both timber and steel)
Connections, brackets and tie-downs
Wall and roof fixings
Bracings material and fixings
Site drainage and grading
Roof, trusses and framing
Engineering plans and specifications
Timber flooring
Requirements of Australian Standards (AS 1684)
Slab surface, levelling, crack, edge and step downs
Termite protection
Door and window openings
Attached structures
Beams, columns and lintels
Walls, studs and noggings
Timber quality
Pipe locations
uniformed inspector checking the timber frame of a home construction project
Example Defects
defect in a timber frame where the joint bracket is improperly secured
timber frame with a split, a clear defect compromising the structure's integrity
view of a timber frame with a large gap beneath it during inspection
timber frame inspection revealing missing fasteners, a common defect

Stage 4 – Lock-Up (Pre-Plaster) Inspection

Before interior plastering starts, we assess the building’s external enclosure, checking windows, doors, and roofing for security and weather tightness, ensuring readiness for internal finishing.

View a sample Lock-up Pre-Plaster Inspection report here.

Roof Cladding (tiles, steel, etc.)
Roof fixings
Gutters & fascia
Wall plumbness and straighten
Substrate
Sisalation
Structural elements
Penetrations
Electrical wiring
Plumbing points
Downpipes
Windows and doors
Flashings
Trims and eaves
Exterior cladding
Ventilation
Insulation
Deviation tolerances
improperly aligned metal bracing on a semi-constructed house
Example Defects

Stage 5 – Fixing Inspection

We review internal fixings, including doors, cabinets, benchtops, and the installation of plumbing and electrical components, to ensure everything is correctly installed and functional ahead of final finishes.

View a sample Fixing Inspection report here.

Requirements of National Construction Codes (NCC)
Wall and roof fixings
Structural integrity (both timber and steel)
Connections, brackets and tie-downs
Bracings material and fixings
Site drainage and grading
Pipe locations
Roof, trusses and framing
Timber flooring
Requirements of Australian Standards (AS 1684)
Termite protection
Slab surface, levelling, crack, edge and step downs
Engineering plans and specifications
Door and window openings
Attached structures
Walls, studs and noggings
Beams, columns and lintels
Timber quality
interior walls of a house plastered before painting
Example Defects
photo of a faulty rendering job resulting in a gap
door frame showing a vertical crack from the middle of the frame
unaligned roof shingles, clearly indicating a roofing defect
an uncovered downpipe defect, a critical issue that could lead to water damage

Stage 6 – Waterproofing Inspection

(Free with booking of Fixing Inspection Stage!)

We verify correct application of waterproofing membranes in wet areas, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, to prevent future water damage and ensure compliance with standards.

View a sample Waterproofing Inspection report here.

Adherence to National Construction Codes (NCC)
Waterproofing membrane damages
Installation of seals and joints
Additional protection layers
Slope grading and drainage
AS 3740:2021 (Waterproofing of domestic wet areas)
Minimum waterproof membrane thickness
Dampness evaluation
Leaks and leak signs
house in pre-construction stage with waterproofing showing defects
Example Defects
waterproofing inspection diagram, outlining potential problem areas in bathrooms
improperly placed drain which could lead to plumbing issues and water damage
shower installed under stairs, illustrating potential issues with space utilization and functionality
door frame flagged for waterproofing issues, indicating potential water damage that could undermine structural integrity

Stage 7 – Pre-Handover (PCI) Inspection

We conduct a detailed inspection before property handover, checking for any defects in finishes, workmanship, and ensuring all aspects of the building meet contractual and industry standards.

View a sample Pre-Handover (PCI) Inspection report here.

Structural integrity and stability
Functional performance
Quality of workmanship
Completion status
Brickwork and other claddings
Unfinished surfaces
Floor coverings
Waste pipes
Roof components
Eaves
Gutters & fascia
Driveway and pavings
Retaining walls
Site drainage system
Roof drainage system
Cabinetry
Joinery and fittings
Shower and shower screens
Flashings and sealants
Painting
Internal tiling
Splashbacks
Doors and windows
Architraves, skirtings & cornices
Plumbing fixtures
Unsafe access and egress routes
modern kitchen interior after construction has been completed
Example Defects
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections

Stage 8 – Post-Handover (Maintenance) Inspection

After the property has been occupied, we identify any emerging issues that need to be addressed under the builder’s warranty, ensuring the property’s condition is maintained over time.

View a sample Post-Handover (Maintenance) Inspection report here.

The condition of walls, ceilings, and floors
Roaming inspections of the building exterior for damage or deterioration
Electrical systems and outlets
Regular maintenance tasks such as landscaping, roof repair and painting
HVAC systems (heating, ventilation & air conditioning)
Windows and doors for proper sealing or insulation
Fire alarms and sprinkler systems
Safety and security devices
Any other defect prevents or restricts the normal use of the building
arrow pointing towards a crack in door frame, a common structural defect
Example Defects
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections
New Construction Stage Inspections

Construction Stage FAQs

  • A construction stage inspection is a comprehensive review of the building work completed to date, ensuring it meets regulatory standards and is built according to plans