Key Stages in Constructing Your New Home
By HOUSPECT WA Building Inspections|June 20, 2016
Construction of your new home is done in phases involving assorted contractors working on different components. The finished product will last many years so you’d like to know when the dust settles on the construction process your new home is all you want it to be. Stage construction inspections allow the home builder to ensure that sound building practices are utilised throughout each phase of the building process.
At Houspect we have combined the lock up inspection with the waterproofing inspection as we have seen waterproofing as one of the most common issues to impact new home builders. Effective waterproofing needs to be applied under tiles and splashbacks in all wet areas.
During our PCI inspections we aim to:
There are several benefits of a pre-paid construction packages, where we inspect your new home at several stages of the construction process. Firstly, we try to allocate a single Houspect inspector to undertake all inspections. The benefit here is that the inspector will become familiar with your home construction and can follow the progress throughout the entire build.
The other key benefit is that our package over provides significant discounts to purchasing each stage individually. Package discounts can represent a discount of up to 25% off our standard fees.
All builders generally provide a maintenance period post construction which ranges from 3 to 12 months post practical completion. However, in Western Australia builders actually have an extended builder’s liability period of up to 6 years post construction for defective workmanship.
Houspect can provide assist home owners during this post construction period.
There are several options for home homes to take, but the WA Building Commission has a robust process for home owners to progress building defects. The commission has extensive powers to bring a resolution to disputes.
Houspect WA has extensive experience in supporting home builders through both WA Building Commission and State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) hearings on matters related to new home constructions. We can provide investigation reports in the specific formats required by the Commission and Scott Scheduled required by SAT.
1 Slab Down
The very foundation of the home, the concrete slab is evaluated to ascertain that it was poured to the proper dimensions as per the plans, the set backs are broadly in line with the site plan, the site has been pegged and the polythene barrier is visible. The inspector will also check items such as the plumbing lines are in the proper locations and installed correctly, look for any significant cracks and evaluate for quality workmanship and that the slab meets with Australian Standards, in particular AS 2870.2 Walls to Plate Height
The walls are another key part of the structure of the home. Our inspectors check a range of key issues including the location of the walls, size of selected rooms, quality of bricks and brickwork, mortar placement, alignment, wall ties and wall heights. Window and door frames are checked along with lintels, damp proof flashings and weep holes. Cavity insulation where required along with tie down straps and rods. The overall quality, finish and cleanliness of the brickwork is also checked.3 Roof On
Making sure that the roof frame and roof cover has been correctly constructed is another key construction issue stage of ensuring a home is structurally sound. The constructions plans and more importantly the engineer’s plans will often define some very specific requirements in relation to the roof framing and roof cover. Inspection of this area can become infinitely more difficult once the ceiling has been installed. Checking that the roof has been constructed in accordance with the plans, Nationals Construction Code and Australian Standards (As 1684) is a key stage in construction process.4 Lock Up and Water Proofing
Once the property has reached lock up stage our inspectors start looking for a long list of internal items including, ceilings, float set and plastering, cornices, electrical point and gas installations, glazing, external doors, shelving and cabinets. We are checking that all Trades and trade components have been installed/completed at acceptable standards.At Houspect we have combined the lock up inspection with the waterproofing inspection as we have seen waterproofing as one of the most common issues to impact new home builders. Effective waterproofing needs to be applied under tiles and splashbacks in all wet areas.
5 Practical Completion Inspection (PCI)
PCI’s are a very important inspections during the entire build process. It needs to represent a point in time where both you and your builder believe practical completion of the construction has been achieved.During our PCI inspections we aim to:
- Check and identify Trades or components that have not been installed/completed or is not correctly installed
- There is an acceptable level of workmanship in completed work.
- Workmanship follows Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards.
- Internal walls, ceilings, floors, doors, cabinets, windows
- Scratches to window glass, cabinet tops, mirrors, shower screens, ceramic tiles, bath, spa bath, cisterns, pans, toilet seats, cupboard doors, sinks
6 Individual Stages or All Stages
It is possible to purchase any of the above individual stages or to purchase a package covering the entire build or a portion of the build. Once we understand the size and location of your home construction we can provide firm quotes for you to consider.There are several benefits of a pre-paid construction packages, where we inspect your new home at several stages of the construction process. Firstly, we try to allocate a single Houspect inspector to undertake all inspections. The benefit here is that the inspector will become familiar with your home construction and can follow the progress throughout the entire build.
The other key benefit is that our package over provides significant discounts to purchasing each stage individually. Package discounts can represent a discount of up to 25% off our standard fees.
7 Post Construction
Our inspection services do not stop once you have taken control of your new home.All builders generally provide a maintenance period post construction which ranges from 3 to 12 months post practical completion. However, in Western Australia builders actually have an extended builder’s liability period of up to 6 years post construction for defective workmanship.
Houspect can provide assist home owners during this post construction period.
7.1 Builders Indemnity Period Inspection
At any point post practical completion but prior to the end of the 6 year indemnity period Houspect can undertake a post PCI inspection to identify defects in the construction of your new home. Our reports are designed to be a balanced and equitable assessment of the construction of your home and aims to identify issues that occurred during construction and were not identified earlier or have only become evident post PCI. Many clients simply provide copies of our reports to their builders and request them to rectify identified issues.7.2 WA Building Commission and or State Administrative Tribunal Hearings
While maintaining a good working relationship with your builder is critical both during and post the construction period, occasionally some builders will not respond to defects in new home constructions.There are several options for home homes to take, but the WA Building Commission has a robust process for home owners to progress building defects. The commission has extensive powers to bring a resolution to disputes.
Houspect WA has extensive experience in supporting home builders through both WA Building Commission and State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) hearings on matters related to new home constructions. We can provide investigation reports in the specific formats required by the Commission and Scott Scheduled required by SAT.
