Protect Your Biggest Asset. Book In Stage and Handover Inspections!

What are Stage Inspections?

Having offered Handover Inspections on new builds since we started Informed Building Inspections, we have also extended our inspection services to Stage Inspections as well. As you’ve probably heard in the media there are some serious challenges out there when it comes to building a new home in the current climate. From materials shortages to difficulties finding quality trades to complete the work, coupled with the added pressure of huge price hikes across the board and many building companies collapsing. The result is the potential for corners to be cut when building your new home. Once your new home has been completed it is incredibly difficult to then correct any faulty work, and often it isn’t even visible.

We offer Stage Inspections to protect your largest asset. This is a common practice in the southern states and is now becoming more popular in Queensland as the need for quality assurance increases. At Informed Building Inspections our owner and operator Scott is a highly experienced builder who has built hundreds of homes in QLD and NSW. He is highly experienced in completing stage inspections and provides detailed reporting with photo evidence, comments and annexures to ensure you are receiving a quality build that is aligned to the Australian Standards. After each inspection Scott communicates directly with our clients, updating them on any areas of concern or rectifications that are recommended. We provide our clients with a detailed, comprehensive report with photos to take to the building supervisor to discuss any required rectifications required.

We offer Stage Inspections as a total package (with a discount), or individual inspections can be selected from the 5 stages listed below. At Informed Building Inspections we offer 5 stages of inspection to ensure the critical stages of building are inspected. These include the following:

Stage 1 – Pre-Slab Concrete Pour Inspection

Stage 2 – Timber Frame Inspection

Stage 3 – Lock Up Pre-Plaster Inspection

Stage 4 – Fixing Stage/Waterproofing/Pre-Paint Inspection

Stage 5 – Handover/Practical Completion Inspection

Let’s explore what we are looking for at each stage and why those stages of construction are critical in ensuring you have a quality build with your new property. Below is a brief overview of each inspection. Every inspection includes a comprehensive follow up report with photos, comments, recommendations and annexures.

Pre-Slab Concrete Pour Stage Inspection

The initial inspection to be conducted is the Pre-Slab Concrete Pour Inspection. During this inspection we visually check the following components of the build:

• Engineering and architectural drawings
• Form work
• External dimensions
• Excavations
• Steel reinforcement
• Service pipes
• Vapour barrier
• Termite barrier installation
• Load bearing walls
• Step downs or recesses
• Depth of overall slab height
• Depth and width of edge and internal beams
• Depth of rebates
• Waffle pod designs

Frame Stage Inspection

Our next stage is the Frame Inspection. During this stage the following components of the build are inspected:

• Engineering and architectural drawings
• Framing materials, fixings and fittings
• Bracing
• Roof truss layout, installation and fixings
• Structural Steel beams and supports
• Flooring and landings in multi level construction
• Window and door frames (if installed)
• Ceiling height and room sizes

Lock Up Pre-Plaster Stage Inspection

The third stage of inspection occurs at the Lock Up Pre-Plaster stage. During this inspection we are looking at the following components of the build:

• Rectification of timber frame inspection defects
• External wrap/sarking
• Tiled or metal roofing installation and fixings
• Rough-in of electrical and plumbing services
• Insulation batts and installation
• Window frames and flashings
• Guttering and fascia’s
• Brickwork, mortar and articulation joints
• Electrical wiring and plumbing not damaged
• External wall cladding
• External windows and doors fixed
• Eave sheets
• Fascia boards, bargeboards and gutterings
• Coated surfaces
• Brickwork
• Ceilings, cornices and walls
• Architraves and skirtings
• Insulation wrap
• Structural integrity of frame
• Shower bases

Fixing Stage, Waterproofing and Pre-Paint Inspection

The fourth stage occurs at Fixing Stage and includes Waterproofing and a Pre-Paint Inspection. At this stage we inspect the following areas of the new construction:

• All joinery
• Plasterboard and cornice installation
• Waterproofing
• Stairs and landings
• Check that all items from the last inspection have been rectified
• Pre-Paint ready
• Internal cladding
• Architraves
• Skirting
• Doors
• Built in shelves
• Baths
• Basins
• Troughs
• Sinks
• Cabinets and cupboards
• Vanity units
• Bench tops and cupboards
• Roof above the house and the garage for water ingress points

Handover or Practical Completion Stage Inspection

Finally we offer a Handover or Practical Completion inspection which involves the final check including of the following areas of the home:

• Paint finish and blemishes
• Ceilings and walls
• Architraves and skirtings
• Floor coverings
• Door handles, locks and doors
• Windows open and close
• All joins to wet areas sealed
• Floor and wall tiles
• Baths and showers
• Test all taps and check for leaks
• Check all cabinetry, benchtops and vanity units in kitchen, bathrooms and laundry
• Sliding doors
• Carpet installation
• Insulation in roof space
• Sarking
• Stairs and landings
• Balustrade
• Overall quality of the finish and workmanship
• All concreted areas
• Brick work, including articulation joints sealed and mortar joints
• Render
• Roofing, tiled or Colourbond
• Fascias and gutters
• Down pipes secured to brickwork
• Storm water pipe connections
• Windows
• Garage doors, ceilings and walls
• Landings
• Fascia boards and bargeboards
• Gutters and downpipes
• No damage to specially coated surfaces
• All brickwork, mortar and articulation joints
• Rendered surfaces and wall cladding
• Doors and windows
• Check Heating units
• Check for damage

Stage Inspections are a smart investment when it comes to ensuring the longevity and quality of your new property. Whether an investment or your future home, it is critical to protect your property with the quality assurance of a Stage and Handover Inspection. If you have questions or would like more information on the new construction services we provide, we encourage you to give Scott, our owner and operator, a call on 0417665477 to find out more.