Are Stage Inspections Worth It? Real Examples From Brisbane Building Sites
See real examples from recent Brisbane stage inspections including pre-slab, frame, termite barrier and waterproofing defects. Watch the video and decide for yourself if stage inspections are worth it.
4/25/20263 min read
Are Stage Inspections Worth It? Real Examples From Recent Brisbane Building Sites
If you're building a new home, you've probably wondered whether stage inspections are worth the additional cost.
Rather than trying to answer that question for you, we’ve included a short video below showing real examples from recent Brisbane stage inspections so you can see exactly what’s being picked up on site.
Watch Real Inspection Examples
Pre-Slab Inspection – Reinforcement Against Formwork
In the video above, you’ll see a slab preparation that was ready for concrete.
During the inspection we found sections of reinforcement hard against the formwork, along with rubbish and steel offcuts left throughout the slab preparation.
Concrete is one of the few stages of construction where there is no second chance. Once the concrete is poured, any issues below the slab become significantly more difficult and expensive to rectify.
A pre-slab inspection provides an opportunity to review slab preparation before it disappears beneath the concrete forever.
Pre-Plaster Inspection – Studs Cut After Frame Stage
Another example shown in the video is a frame that had already been signed off weeks earlier.
When we attended for a pre-plaster inspection after the rough-in trades had completed their work, we found multiple studs that had been cut to straighten the frame without being reinforced.
Construction sites are constantly evolving. A frame may be structurally compliant when it's inspected by the builder's certifier, but alterations can occur later as different trades complete their work throughout the home.
This is one of the reasons many homeowners choose to inspect multiple stages throughout the build rather than relying on a single inspection.
Termite Barrier Damage
The video also highlights termite barrier damage, marked clearly so you can see how easily these systems can be compromised.
While the damage may appear minor, termite management systems are designed to provide a continuous barrier around the home. Once external finishes are installed, many areas become difficult or impossible to inspect.
We often hear homeowners say, "But my house has a steel frame."
While that's definitely a bonus, termites don't eat steel. They'll simply go looking for the closest timber, whether that's your window and door reveals, skirting boards, architraves, cabinetry or other timber products used throughout the home. That's why termite barriers are still an important part of steel-framed construction.
Most homeowners would never know the damage existed because it becomes hidden behind the completed works.
Waterproofing Inspections Are All About Timing
Waterproofing is another key example shown in the video.
Many people assume the best time to inspect waterproofing is immediately after it is applied. In reality, some of the most common issues occur after the waterproofing contractor has finished.
During this inspection we found knife blades, building materials and debris left sitting on the waterproofing membrane by subsequent trades.
For this reason, we generally recommend waterproofing inspections after the cabinet makers and carpenters have completed their work, but before the tilers arrive and cover everything up.
What Do Stage Inspections Actually Show?
Every house is different.
Every builder is different.
And every inspection tells a slightly different story.
The examples shown in the video are not unusual or uncommon. They are simply real examples of the sorts of issues that can occur throughout the construction process.
Whether stage inspections are worth it is ultimately a decision every homeowner must make for themselves.
Our job is simply to show you what is happening before the next stage of construction covers it up.
Building a New Home in Brisbane?
BSPI Inspections provides independent stage inspections throughout Brisbane including:
Pre-Slab Inspections
Frame Inspections
Enclosed Stage Inspections
Waterproofing Inspections
Fixing Stage Inspections
Practical Completion Inspections (PCI)
End of Warranty Inspections
To learn more or request a quote, contact BSPI Inspections today.
If there’s a specific stage you’d like to learn more about, click the link below to explore that section on our blog.
