The Importance of Progress Inspections During Home Construction
When you build a new home, it is highly advisable to schedule progress inspections throughout the construction process. These progress inspections ensure that your builder adheres to essential building codes and standards, ultimately delivering a higher quality product. Additionally, conducting a comprehensive inspection at handover with an independent inspector is crucial for confirming that everything meets your expectations.
Why Progress Inspections Matter for New Homes
Progress inspections play a vital role at various stages of home construction. They ensure that your builder consistently follows building codes and that the quality of the work meets acceptable standards. For a typical brick veneer house, it is important to schedule three commonly recommended inspections:
Framing Inspection: Conduct this inspection when all framing is complete and windows are installed. This stage provides the inspector with the best opportunity to identify any defects within the framing.
Intermediate Inspection: This inspection checks the roof covering, masonry walls, interior wall linings, and wet-area preparation. Properly applying damp proof membranes is particularly important, as 85% of builder callbacks stem from leaks in wet areas.
Final Hand-Over Inspection: This crucial inspection assesses all plumbing fixtures, fittings, doors, second-fix carpentry, paint, paving, and overall finish. Both the building supervisor responsible for the house and the client should attend this final inspection.
Quantity Over Quality: Addressing a Growing Concern in Home Building
Inspex has observed a significant increase in new home defects over the past few years. As builders take on more projects, they often overlook quality or rush their work. Moreover, the rise of smaller builders and developers who may not remain fully up-to-date with current regulations and standards contributes to this trend of increasing defects.
Defects can manifest in various forms, including wall frames that lack proper support, wet areas with incorrect waterproofing, poorly laid bricks, and even cracked floor tiles. To see examples of recent progress inspections, check out our Facebook page for pictures and updates.
Key Benefits of Progress Inspections
- Ensure Compliance: Regular inspections help confirm that all work adheres to local building codes.
- Enhance Quality: Identify issues early to maintain high construction standards.
- Protect Your Investment: Catch defects before they lead to costly repairs down the line.
By prioritizing progress inspections throughout the construction of your new home, you can safeguard your investment and ensure a quality build that meets your expectations.
Contact us for more information.