Same Day Report GUARANTEED or Your Money Back !
Why an independent new home inspection matters
Most of a new build is covered up before you see it
Building a new home is one of the biggest purchases you'll make, and most of the work is covered up before you ever see it. Once the slab is poured, the frame is lined and the walls are painted, defects underneath are hard to find and expensive to fix.
Your builder runs their own quality checks, and your building surveyor carries out the mandatory inspections required under the building permit. Both matter, but neither is there to check workmanship quality on your behalf. The builder's supervisor is checking their own company's work. The surveyor's mandatory inspections focus on compliance at set points in the build. They are not a detailed review of workmanship, and they aren't written for you.
An independent inspector looks at what has actually been built: whether it matches the plans, whether it meets the National Construction Code (NCC) and the relevant Australian Standards, and whether it has been done to an acceptable standard of workmanship. You get a clear report you can hand straight to your builder.
Stage-by-stage new home inspections
How we time each inspection
We inspect at five points during a build. Each one is timed so problems are found while they can still be seen and fixed easily. For everything we look at at each stage, see our detailed stage inspection checklist.
Pre-slab inspection — $600
When to book: after the reinforcement, plumbing penetrations and vapour barrier are in place, and before the concrete pour.
What we check: slab and footing set-out against the plans, reinforcement placement, laps, ties and bar chairs, concrete cover at edges, the vapour barrier and its taping, termite management at penetrations, and set-downs for wet areas. Residential slabs and footings are designed under AS 2870.
Common defects: reinforcement sitting directly on the vapour barrier, torn or untaped membrane, poor edge cover, and missing set-downs for showers.
Frame inspection — $600
When to book: once the frame is fully up, braced and tied down, and before insulation and plasterboard go in.
What we check: wall and roof framing against the plans and AS 1684, bracing and tie-downs, lintels and beams, walls for plumb and straightness, trusses and their connections, and notching or drilling of framing members.
Common defects: missing or loose bracing, over-notched studs, out-of-plumb walls, damaged trusses and missing tie-down fixings. These are simple to fix now and very hard to fix once the plaster is up.
Lock-up inspection — $600
When to book: when the external walls, roof covering, windows and external doors are installed.
What we check: brickwork and cladding (masonry against AS 3700 and AS 4773), weep holes, flashings and damp-proof courses, window installation and flashing, roof covering and sarking, and articulation joints.
Common defects: mortar bridging the wall cavity, missing or blocked weep holes, damaged or poorly fixed flashings, cracked bricks, and windows not properly sealed.
Fixing and waterproofing inspection — $600
When to book: during the internal fit-out, once linings, doors and cabinetry are going in. Wet areas are best seen after the waterproofing membrane is applied and before tiling, so call us and we'll help you time it with your builder.
What we check: plasterboard, set joints and cornices, door and cabinetry installation, wet area waterproofing against AS 3740, falls to floor wastes, and upturns at hobs and doorways.
Common defects: membranes not taken high enough, missing bond breakers at junctions, poor falls to floor wastes, damaged plasterboard, and doors that bind.
Practical completion (PCI) inspection — $695
When to book: when your builder gives notice that the home has reached practical completion, before you sign off and before you make the final payment. This is your handover inspection.
What we check: the whole home, inside and out — finishes, roof space, wet areas, doors and windows, paths and drainage around the house, and workmanship generally — plus whether defects from earlier stages have been fixed.
Common defects: paint and plaster finish defects, cracked or drummy tiles, poor sealant in wet areas, doors and windows that don't operate properly, and incomplete or missing work. For a full list, see our pre-handover defect inspection checklist.