New Home Stages Inspection
Our inspections are conducted throughout greater Melbourne, including Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula. Different building type such as house, villa, townhouse, unit, apartment building inspection are conducted by our experienced trade qualified building inspectors and surveyors.
What Are New Home Stage Inspections?
New home stage inspections, also called construction stage inspections, are independent checks of your new home at key points during the build. They give you a professional opinion, separate from the builder, on the quality of the work and whether it complies with the building code, while defects can still be fixed easily.
Our experienced building inspectors assess the building work at each stage and record defects and non-compliances with photo evidence, so you can raise them with your builder before the next stage covers them up.
We inspect at six stages: pre-slab, steel slab, frame, lock-up, fixing and handover. A full six-stage inspection package starts from $3,600, depending on the size, location and type of the building.
Stage 1: Pre-Slab Inspection
Before the steel reinforcement goes in, the inspector checks the site preparation against the engineering plans, soil report and specifications. This is the lowest load-bearing part of the building, and it cannot be accessed once the vapour barrier and steel are in place. Foundation failures can be serious and sometimes only come to light years later.
The pre-slab inspection covers excavation, soil reactivity, pier dimensions, beam dimensions and plumbing services.
Stage 2: Steel Slab Inspection
Before the concrete is poured, the inspector checks that the slab reinforcement is ready and matches the structural engineer’s drawings and specifications. The slab is the most important of the lower load-bearing components, and slab failures can stay hidden until they are expensive to fix.
The steel slab inspection covers the moisture membrane, steel fabric, reinforcement dimensions and placement, bar supports, clearance between reinforcement and service pipes, and termite protection for timber framing. All reinforcement should be secured and tied at laps and splices.
Stage 3: Frame Inspection
The inspector reviews the structural frame for workmanship and compliance with the design. A frame inspection confirms that the frame is sound before it is covered by cladding and plaster.
The frame inspection covers the structural members, bracing for the rated wind load, lintels and their supports, point loads and how they are transferred, wind beams, connections to the roof and floor, and tie-down to the slab.
Stage 4: Lock-Up Inspection
The lock-up inspection is carried out once the builder has closed in the building: fascia and gutters, roof covering, external wall cladding including brickwork, external windows and doors, and plumbing. It is most valuable when there are concerns about the standard of work.
Stage 5: Fixing Stage Inspection
The fixing stage inspection is carried out before painting, so the inspector can assess surfaces before paint is applied. It covers wet area waterproofing, internal linings, cornices, architraves, skirting boards, doors and locks, tiling, built-in cabinetry, vanities and sinks, and the plumbing and electrical work ready for fit-off. Garage doors do not need to be installed at this point.
Stage 6: Handover Inspection / Practical Completion
Before the builder can claim the final payment, all contracted work must be complete and in line with the plans, specifications and legal requirements, and the home must be reasonably fit to live in. The builder must also give you the test and warranty certificates, including the final certificate.
At practical completion, a defects document is prepared. It lists the minor defects and omissions agreed by you and the builder, when the builder will fix them, and any items that only you believe are defects. Both parties sign it.
The builder must fix non-structural defects reported within 12 months of completion. Report defects in writing, signed and dated, and keep copies of all correspondence. Structural defects should be fixed before practical completion.
A home is ready for a handover inspection when the electrical and plumbing fixtures, tiling, fittings, insulation, painting, appliances, floor coverings, external concrete, landscaping and other contracted items are complete and working. Our handover report is issued the same day.
New Construction
Sample Inspection Report
23/05/2021 Our NBI inspector took his time to do a thorough inspection and answer all our questions afterwards. It was great value for prospective buyer like us. Have to give them 5 stars.
We used NBI after a friend recommended them to us for our pre-sale inspection of the property and they have been fantastic. Their website was easy to use and all the information you need was laid out clearly. No hidden costs whatsoever. The inspector completed their inspection and the report came out the same day.
21/02/2021 I had a new house stage inspections done through national building inspections and it was a great experience. They did detailed reports with photos and all the defects were masking taped so it was easy to identify and reinspect after rectification. Really professional and I would recommend them to anyone that wants a unbiased inspection report during construction.
05/12/2009 Good service at the right price. he was very detailed and save us from buying a lemon. I would highly recommend.
17/8/2018 Mac did such an outstanding job with the entire inspection. He scheduled with my agent from start to finish and come up with a detailed report. I am very happy with his work.
06/23/2015 Allan is prompt, professional and he communicates well with us. He explains his findings with figures and facts that enabled us to make an informed decision.
11/12/2018 Their followup is fantastic!
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