Call 131 546 and get a quote or book a New Home Inspection for online today.
Jim’s Building Inspections conducts new home inspections (also known as new construction inspections) in and the surrounding areas. Our expert consultants can assist you with every stage of your build and ensure your new build meets your expectations and the necessary standards.
Our local consultants have extensive experience and hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance—meaning you can have peace of mind when you acquire the services of a Jim’s Building Inspector.
We offer same day service for New Home Inspections in and provide written reports via email within 24 hours of the inspection being conducted.
New Home Inspection Checklist
There are four key inspection stages which can be carried out for New Home Inspections:
1. Slab Stage
The slab stage or the base stage inspection is essential in the inspection process. Finished concrete is inspected to ensure there is an even and consistent finish. The surface should not be powdery or flakey. Levels are checked to confirm the slab has been installed within allowable deviation in the over level across and room or the entire build. The edge rebate is checked to ensure it is not “honeycombed” and there is no evidence of steel reinforcement protruding as it must have at least 40mm concrete coverage. The vapour barrier must extend past the poured concrete slab with adequate overlap left so that it extends up the side wall of the slab past the final finished ground level once the construction is completed.
2. Frame Stage
Frame stage inspections are conducted providing an independent assessment of the works to confirm they have been completed ready for stage payment. Internal checks and company appointed inspections are supported with a fresh and focussed and our review monitors the frame with respect to the approved construction methods stipulated in Australian Standard 1684.2 and the Engineers design requirements as detailed on the Approved Plans.
The installation of windows and door frames are checked at this stage. Frame positioning in relation to the supporting slab is checked with any overhanging tolerances along with load bearing timbers, lintels and orientation of Jack Studs above openings. Items such as the correct number of timber blocks and their securing method are checked along with all bracing, mechanical fasteners, tie downs and anchors.
3. Lockup
At this stage we inspect the roofing that is installed to ensure it is complete and free of defects and damage, all flashings are installed. A visual inspection is carried out to check the installation of Flashings. Brick work is checked for correct installation. All windows and doors are installed with the correct fixings using appropriate blocks and the frame straight, plumb and true.
The installed plaster to the ceilings, wall linings and fitted cornice is checked to ensure it is installed to acceptable standards. Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas are inspected to ensure they are correctly installed and comply with the requirements of the Building Code.
4. Handover
Handover Inspections require an exhaustive check of the construction. At handover inspection we check that all the work completed “In a proper and workman like manner” ensuring that the workmanship is at an industry standard. The construction of the dwelling needs to reflect the Approved Plans and we check that all components of the building comply with relevant Australian Standards and Building Codes.
Handover or Final stage inspections are also called Practical Completion Inspections (PCI) and Pre Handover Inspections. Handover inspections are generally carried out on new homes when construction of the entire home has been completed and all internal fittings, fixtures and finishes have been installed and applied inside the home compliant with the relevant building plans and specifications.
To arrange a quote or a building inspection for a property in , call Jim’s Building Inspections on 131 546.
Or book your New Home Inspection service online. Reports can be delivered within 24 hours of inspection.
Property Management and Smoke Alarms are Good Friends
Property management and smoke alarms are good friends. Or at least they should be. Worst possible scenario: Inaction can lead to deaths and a stint in prison. It’s a familiar story, even in developed countries, however. From one BBC report: “A...Read more
New homes & Termite zones
An increasing number of councils across Australia are seeing the value in designating residential zones as termite prone areas in an effort to help local communities avoid costly repairs and horror surprises in the future. Victoria is the only Aus...Read more
The Pitfalls Of Property Investment
The pitfalls of property investment are many. Andrew Heaton from Sourceable advances the argument that it’s important to get a quality survey. While a retail store is often happy to return a $10 item of clothing, it’s far more complex with rea...Read more
Fact - Termites Hate Good Building Inspectors
A good building inspector knows how to find termite issues. A bad building inspector, by way of contrast, is a termite’s best friend. When Joe Blow (not his real name) bought a two-bedroom 1920s terrace in Sydney’s inner west for around $1 mil...Read more
Building Inspection Reports - the ultimate negotiation weapon
Rising damp and termite damage. Two issues that would normally send shivers down your spine and see potential buyers running for the hills. But what if you could you turn a negative building inspection report, into the ultimate negotiation weapon?...Read more
Property Styling - the Melbourne stats
Property Styling, Melbourne, works. If you were considering property styling in Melbourne as part of your sale campaign, you can now rest easy knowing that every dollar invested in property styling is likely to return over $1900 to your back pocket ...Read more
Asbestos - Not Just About Housing
FEATHERS were flying in Red Hill last week when neighbours discovered asbestos sheeting was being removed from a disused chicken shed near their properties. First reported in the Southern Peninsula News (6 November 2018) the story continues: Mo...Read more
Safety Reversal Check For Automatic Garage Door
In most houses, the largest moving object is a garage door. Newer garage doors are often operated remotely through radio controls, electrical systems, pulleys and motors. Serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from bein...Read more
Building? Here Are Mark Campbell's Lessons Learned
“My rationale for building new was threefold,” writes Mark Campbell, a working-class Aussie. “Firstly, it enabled me to have control over the end product and it made sense from an investment perspective because I could maximise depreciation and...Read more
The Case For More Home Inspections
Building surveyors are calling on Victoria’s state government to mandate balcony inspections. This follows the tragic balcony collapse in Doncaster East in late 2017. Sadly, two people died and many others were injured, according to The Age. In ...Read more