Be Well Informed Through Your New Home Construction Build
Building a new house or investment property is a big step and it helps to be well informed about the process. However, if you have had limited exposure to the industry, the terminology used by builders and those working in the building trade can be complicated and confusing at times.
To help explain some of the common terms, we thought it might be helpful to provide a list that you can refer to when in doubt.
If you are about to build your own home, or are tackling a project as an Owner-Builder, the terms listed in our article might be useful to know.
Click here to read our article, “What do all those Building Terms mean?” or download a PDF copy here.
SPI Property Inspections can be your independent inspector at each of the following important stages of a new house construction:
Base Stage: at this stage of construction, the site has been scraped or cut and filled. Items to check for this stage include the site conditions, orientation of the building, damp-proofing membrane, termite protection, and also, drainage and plumbing services.
Frame Stage: the building inspector will check the quality of finish on the slab surface and that the frame has been erected correctly. The inspector will also examine the layout and room sizes, as per your supplied house plans.
Lockup/Pre-Plaster: for this inspection, we check the roof tiles are installed correctly, the frame ties are fitted to brickwork and walls are straightened and plumbed. The brickwork will also be inspected and the inspector will ensure that the insulation is fitted to external walls.
Fixing Stage: the inspector will assess all the interior work to make sure it’s ready for painting. This includes architraves, skirting, doors, built-in shelves, baths, basins, cabinets, sinks and cupboards. It’s also important to check waterproofing at this stage, particularly in the wet areas such as the kitchen, ensuite and bathroom.
Final Handover (PCI): for this stage, we would check all fixtures and footings are installed correctly, appropriate sealing has been made to all wet areas and paint finishes are of a quality standard. The inspector will make sure that all hardware is fitted and plumbing and electrical services have been completed and are operating properly.
Our reports are emailed to you on our custom built mobile app within 24 hours of your inspection and are designed in a way that is easy to read and understand. Our clients have every opportunity to contact their inspector to ask questions and/or seek some building advice throughout their new home construction process.
If you need someone who can explain the building process to you in easy terms and keep you up to date with its progress, give us a call on 1300 721 032 or submit your free quote online. Our SPI inspectors are here to help and guide you through the process.
