Why You Need Your Own Building Inspector – Not Just the Builder’s

Why You Should Hire Your Own Independent Building Inspector — Even if Your Builder Already Has One

When you’re building a new home, it can feel like a never-ending list of decisions — slab choices, tile colours, appliance upgrades — and somewhere along the line, your builder might mention that they’ve already got a building inspector on board. Sounds convenient, right? One less thing to worry about?

Not so fast.

Here’s the truth: the builder’s inspector works for the builder — not for you. And that matters. A lot.

At BSPI Inspections, we work only for the person who matters most in this process — you, the future homeowner.

Who Does the Builder’s Inspector Really Work For?

Many large building companies engage third-party inspectors to carry out basic checks throughout a build. But here’s the catch: these inspectors are usually contracted directly by the builder. Their income — and often their workload — depends on keeping the builder happy.

Let’s be honest: if you were an inspector and 80% of your jobs came from one building company, would you really want to rock the boat by pulling them up on every little thing?

That’s where the issue lies. These inspections can become tick-box exercises, and while many builder-appointed inspectors do try to do the right thing, there’s an obvious conflict of interest.

Why Independent Building Inspections Matter

An independent inspector like BSPI Inspections has one job — to protect you.

We don’t answer to builders. We don’t rely on builders for work. That means when we walk onto your site, we’re looking at everything through one lens: "Is this being done properly, safely, and in line with the standards?"

And if it’s not? You’ll know about it — clearly, with photos and plain-English reports that leave no grey areas.

Builders Use Their Reports for Their Own Protection

Here’s something most people don’t realise: builders use their inspection reports as legal evidence that everything was done properly. So if things go wrong later — like structural issues, leaking showers, or cracking slabs — they can point to their report and say, “It passed inspection.”

That’s why it’s even more important that you have your own independent record of how your home was built. At each stage. Not just for peace of mind, but to protect yourself if something does go wrong.

Real Accountability = Real Results

At BSPI Inspections, we work with everyday people — not builders. Our loyalty is to homeowners and owner-builders, not construction companies. When we inspect a slab, a frame, or a waterproofed bathroom, we’re not thinking about repeat work from a builder. We’re thinking about whether you’re getting what you paid for and whether your home is being built to standard.

We’ve found everything from misaligned frames, under-sized footings, to waterproofing shortcuts that would’ve caused thousands in damage — all things the builder’s inspector “missed.”

The presence of an independent inspector almost always lifts the standard of work — builders know someone is watching. They tend to take more care when they know things are being properly checked. But let’s be real: even with inspections, new builds are rarely perfect. Construction is fast-paced, full of moving parts, and mistakes still slip through.

That’s exactly why having someone in your corner to catch the defects early — before they turn into costly rectification jobs — is so important.

Don’t Get Rushed or Fobbed Off

Another common scenario: the builder’s inspector might only spend 10–15 minutes on-site, breeze through with a checklist, and call it done. That’s not enough time to properly inspect a major build stage. We spend the time it takes to get it right — whether that’s 45 minutes or over an hour. We slow down, dig deeper, and make sure nothing’s swept under the rug.

The Bottom Line: Who’s Got Your Back?

This is one of the biggest investments of your life. Don’t leave it to chance. Don’t rely on someone whose paycheck depends on keeping the builder happy.

BSPI Inspections works for you. Only you.

If you want straight answers, honest assessments, and someone in your corner who’s not afraid to call out defects when they see them — get in touch.

Ready to Lock in an Independent Inspection?

Whether you’re just starting your build or halfway through, it’s never too late to bring in a fresh set of eyes. Request a quote or book your inspection 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.

Pre Slab

Frame Stage

Enclosed Stage

Fixing Stage

Practical Completion / Handover