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 Springvale online today.

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

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

The Politics Of Smoke Alarms

From 1993 to 2015, CSIRO conducted tests on smoke alarms but the public is yet to read the findings. This comes at a time when activists want ionised smoke alarms banned due to alleged issues with response times to common fires. In America, the alarm...
Read more

The Block's Depreciation Schedules And You

So, “investors could claim an average of over $2.2 million in depreciation deductions for each apartment on Channel 9’s 2016 season of The Block,” according to new analysis reported by The Urban Developer. By far the biggest potential deprec...
Read more

Why arranging a Pre-Sale inspection can give you an advantage

If you’re thinking about listing your home for sale, it is the perfect time to look at anything you may need to fix or repair. You’re probably used to the ceiling water stains and spots of mould in your kitchen cupboards, but these minor defects ...
Read more

Depreciation - A Most Valuable Deduction

Looking to claim? For property owners, depreciation is the gift that keeps on giving and another reason to talk with the professionals at Jim’s Building Inspections. To wit, investors deduct the amount of income-producing assets in decline over the...
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

Mould - The Silent Killer

Mould: Ugly, yes. But the health consequences of inaction are uglier. Gizmodo explains: “A common mould called Aspergillus, when inhaled by particularly susceptible people, can infect the lungs and spread throughout the body. Other moulds that ...
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

What Does Jim Know About Building Inspections Anyway?

ACTUALLY, QUITE A BIT MORE THAN WE EVER REALISED! We recently discovered that Jim Penman’s dad was a forensic engineer. From an early age Jim’s father was investigating materials, structures and their components which failed o...
Read more

What is franchising?

Franchising is the practice of using another business’s successful business model. By replicating a successful model, the new business owner or franchisee has a greater level of incentive than an employee, they directly benefit from the effort they...
Read more

Building Inspectors Break Secrets

Building inspectors break secrets. It’s their job to do so and we wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re in one very real sense property detectives. It’s fraudulent for a vendor to knowingly conceal defects according to the law. This incl...
Read more