Building Construction Inspections Perth

A Pre Slab Inspection or Pre Pour Slab Inspection Perth occurs prior to the concrete being poured to create the base.

Often this stage is skipped and we are engaged to perform a slab inspection.

Here’s what we inspect:

• Condition of the ground and foundation.
• Installation of any necessary prelay drainage systems.
• Level and preparedness of the soil.
• Proper installation of concrete formwork.
• Proper installation of any reinforcing steel in line with customer-supplied engineering.
• Proper installation of all plumbing, electrical or air conditioning installations.
• Compliance with all building codes and standards regarding mesh installation.
• Proper compliance with setbacks and separation of adjoining foundations (if applicable).
• Ensuring the integrity of any installed membrane.
• Cheing wet are setdowns if applicable.
• Ensuring adequate steel cover is prepared to avoid non-compliance offsets.
• Ensuring termite collars have been installed in line with AS3660 and the relevant NCC.

In the case of a multi-storey construction, this pre-slab inspection process is repeated for each level prior to the concrete being poured to make sure each one is up to par and ready for the next stage of construction and often includes additional steel checks relevant to suspended slabs.

In Stage 2, we have the slab inspection where we make sure that the dried concrete is of the right quality, chemical properties and if the slab has the correct dimensions.

Here’s what we inspect:

• The grade of concrete to be sighted via slump tests is still on site.
• Dimensions of the slab (Customer-supplied slab layout needed).
• Layout (wet area locations and plumbing inlets).
• Ensure concrete is cured and ready for brick load.
• Absence of cracks or categorise cracks sighted.
• Ensuring slab edge treatments have been carried out.
• Footings and pier footings.
• Full check to ensure slab and brick coursing heights are in relationship.
• Checking for an overall level slab.
• Categorisation of slab cracking concerning allowable Australian Standards.
• Ensuring pre-lays are in and not compromised.

A Plate Height Inspection, also known as the Brick Stage Inspection applies to brickwork, steel frame, timber frame or any combination of brick and other framing materials.

Here is what we inspect:

• Compliance with Australian Standard AS3700 Masonry Structures. and/or AS 4773.1 and .2
• Compliance with Australian Standard for  AS3660 Termite Management.
• Mortar quality and allowable bed and perp joints
• Brick bearing and allowances for load preparation.
• Lintel bearing where visible to ensure sufficient bearing is achieved
• Lintel setbacks, orientation and fixings to columns and piers as engineered.
• Correct installation of wire ties, strapping, and weep holes relevant to NCC, AS3700, AS4773 and AS3660.
• General workmanship issues such as faulty or damaged bricks, brick alignment, defective door and window frame installation.
• Flashing above windows and required cavity brickwork to ensure proper discharge of water.
• Plumbness and level of wall installation.
• Step deviations in brickwork.
• Compliance with alternative construction styles that may differ from bricks (e.g. timber or steel frame inspections are inspected to include the relevant applicable standards in place of brickwork standards)

A Frame Inspection or a Roof Frame Stage Inspection takes place in order to prepare the home for roof cover.

Here’s what we Inspect:

• Roof frames are assessed using AS1684 (Steel frame roof members are assessed under the relevant Australian Standards)
• Subfloors and timber stud homes adopt more checks in addition to the following:
• Compliance with the latest plans and specifications.
• Appropriate wall placement.
• Ensuring correct top-plate installation and timber sizing.
• Ensuring steel lintel installation is compliant with engineering fit for bracing off.
• Trim assessment for compliance.
• Joists assessment for compliance.
• Hanger beam assessment for compliance.
• Assessment of rafter installation and compliance check with intersecting timbers.
• Struct and fan strut assessment and compliance check in addition to over-spanning checks.
• Underpurlin assessment for compliance.
• Ridge beam assessment for compliance.
• Collar tie installation assessment for compliance.
• hip and valley strutting assessment for compliance.
• Complaint fixings between members and straps.

A Lockup Inspection which often includes a Waterproofing inspection takes place as the building nears its final stages. This Inspection focuses on preparing the home for final finishings and to ensure the home will perform once finishing items are installed.

This stage of the building construction inspections Perth assesses prep quality and ensure the builder is following the building guidelines.

Here’s what we inspect:

• Waterproofing Inspection (Recent changes were introduced in 2021 that are some of the biggest changes made to the NCC in a very long time, most are unaware). Note: The waterproofing can only be inspected if it is visible.

• The inspector will assess obvious defects likely to result in non-compliance or poor workmanship regarding:

• External walls. 

• Internal walls.

• Roof plumbing. 

• Roof cover. 

• Windows.

• Internal frames. 

• Wall cover.

• Ceiling cover.

• Plumbing pre-lays.

• Electrical pre-lays.

• The inspector will ensure the definition of items completed define the description lock up as outlined by DMIRS even if some items remain incomplete and will list the home as either “locked up” or “not considered locked up”.

A Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) takes place prior to the turnover of keys to the purchaser and is the most important of all inspections. This Inspection focuses on minor defects and ensures the quality of the construction by the builder.

Here’s what we inspect:

• • Quality of finish to render, brickwork or cladding.
  • Roof cover, ridge caps, valleys, flashings, roof plumbing and connections.
  • Windows, fly screens, taps, fixtures and lintels.
  • Balconies, garages, paving, fencing and alfresco areas.
  • Internal flooring.
  • Walls.
  • Ceilings.
  • Electrical outlets.
  • Cabinets and drawers.
  • Bench tops, towel rails and fixings.
  • Sinks and taps.
  • Door furniture.
  • Showers and leak tests on showers.
  • Skirtings and handrails.
  • Robes and internals.
  • General workmanship.
  • Appliances.
  • Overall construction quality.
  • Following strict Guidelines and Tolerances in auditing the home in line with Australian Standards and Guides to Standards and Tolerances 2019 as set out by the Building Commission /DMIRS.
• Specific items included in a Practical Completion Inspection may vary depending on the scope of the project and council regulations.