Builder Charging for Inspections? | BSPI Inspections QLD

⚠️ Can a Builder Charge You for an Independent Inspection? Homeowners, This Isn’t Okay.

At BSPI Inspections, we recently came across a clause from a major builder that stopped us in our tracks.

It states that if a client gets an independent inspection, the builder will charge $150–$250 per report and add at least 14 days to the build timeline for each report they “review.”

Let’s be clear — that’s not standard practice. That’s intimidation, not transparency.

You’re Paying Them to Check Their Own Work

This kind of clause means homeowners are effectively being told:

“If you ask for accountability, we’ll charge you and delay your home.”

That’s not quality assurance. That’s control.

Independent inspections exist to protect you, not inconvenience the builder. They help catch issues early, save costly rework later, and ensure your home actually meets the QBCC standards — the same standards builders are required to build to.

We’ve Seen It Firsthand

We’ve inspected hundreds of homes for this builder over the years, and we’ve never left a site without identifying real defects — some small, some significant, but all legitimate.

So when a builder says independent inspections are “unnecessary,” that’s not confidence — that’s avoiding accountability.

Who Decides What’s a Defect?

Here’s the truth:
It’s not up to the builder to decide what counts as a defect.
It’s not up to their supervisor or their overseas parent company either.

In Queensland, the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) sets the standards, and defects are defects — whether the builder likes it or not.

The Line’s Been Drawn

Big name, big promises — but if the work doesn’t meet standard, it deserves to be called out.

Charging extra for inspection reports and adding delays isn’t professionalism — it’s pressure tactics.

We’re not solicitors and we can’t give legal advice, but if it were us, we’d push back on a clause like this. And if a builder said, “We won’t build your home,” it’s worth remembering — you always have the choice to walk away.

What About the Rumours?

You might have heard people say,

“QBCC won’t attend site until the build is finished.”

That’s not always true.
We’ve seen QBCC attend halfway through a build and issue rectification orders on the spot.
Once that happens, the builder changes their tune very quickly.

Independent Inspections Aren’t the Enemy of Good Builders

Good builders don’t fear independent inspections — they welcome them.
They know an extra set of eyes helps ensure a quality result and a happy client.

This isn’t about being anti-builder.
It’s about being pro-quality, pro-fairness, and standing up for homeowners who just want the job done right.

At BSPI Inspections, we believe every homeowner deserves confidence in their build — without being punished for asking questions.

Need advice before you sign your contract or start your next stage?
📞 Get in touch with BSPI Inspections today — we’ll help you understand your rights, your inspection options, and how to protect your build from the start.