Building and Pest inspector standing in front of Jims Building Inspections car

Call 131 546 and get a quote or book a New Home Inspection for Crace online today.

Jim’s Building Inspections conducts new home inspections (also known as new construction inspections) in Crace 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 Crace 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 Crace, call Jim’s Building Inspections on 131 546.

Or book your Crace New Home Inspection service online. Reports can be delivered within 24 hours of inspection.

Smoke Alarms - America's Move May Trigger Australian Action

It’s an important topic. Will moves in the United States regarding smoke alarms trigger a debate here? The dirt: As the ABC reported, new US smoke alarm laws look likely to drive ionisation alarms out of business – and an American expert has b...
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

Common defects found in homes

Are you buying a home or investment property? Here are some of the common defects that our building inspectors in homes. Termite damage The advantages of getting a vendor report before putting your house on the market. Termite damage was found ...
Read more

Meth testing - the new norm for prudent home buyers

The New Norm? Including Meth checks in Pre-Purchase Building Inspections For home buyers there is nothing unusual about organising a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection on a potential property purchase. For smart buyers, a Pre-Purchase Building Inspe...
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

Passing Your Next Rental Inspection With Mould-Busting Professionals

What’s one thing landlords despise? If you guessed mould, you’re right. “The obvious things we look for are mould in the bathrooms/cupboards/bedrooms,” says one expert in the field. “This is usually an indication that the tenant isn’t ...
Read more

Mouldy Issues For Landlords

A growing number of tenants are trying to educate landlords about the many ways in which mould can make us sick. So the ABC’s AM political reporter, Alexandra Beech, took the time to speak to one such person, Caleb Rudd. Mr Rudd is behind a Face...
Read more

GET YOUR HOME READY FOR WINTER!

With winter only around 7 weeks away it is time to think about doing those essential jobs around the home that is really easy to forget. Then one day you look out the window and you have water cascading down your fascia and into your eaves. This happ...
Read more

Re-stumping red flags

A guide to Re-Stumping Re-stumping - or re-blocking as it's known in Victoria - is big business in Australia and can be a very costly exercise, particularly if you don't know what you're looking at and you don't understand what you've bought into....
Read more

Beware Of Unqualified Building Inspections

How to avoid unqualified building inspections? In a Fairfax article, Chris Dyce, president of the Australian Society of Building Consultants, says go with experienced building inspectors. Make sure they’ve work experience in the industry and don’...
Read more