The build timeline

Every stage your builder
would rather skip

Your builder has an inspector. That inspector works for the builder. We check the build at every stage, while defects are still cheap to fix and impossible to hide. Tap a stage to see exactly what we check there.

1

Before the concrete pour

Pre-Slab / Steel Stage

The last time anyone can see what goes under your house.Open

Reinforcing mesh and bar chairs over waffle pods on a residential slab, photographed before the concrete pour

7 checks at this stage

  • Site Preparation & Groundwork

    We assess the site preparation and the footing excavation, and check that soil compaction meets the required standard. That gives the slab a stable base and reduces the risk of settlement and cracking later.

  • Vapour Barrier Installation

    We verify that the vapour barrier membrane is correctly installed, covering the entire area beneath the slab to prevent moisture ingress. Any damage to the membrane is noted for immediate rectification.

  • Termite Protection

    We ensure that termite protection measures, such as chemical treatments or physical barriers, are correctly applied and meet the requirements of Australian Standards. This is critical for protecting the building from future termite infestations.

  • Reinforcement Steel

    We ensure the correct placement of reinforcement steel, verify proper spacing and support, and confirm penetration locations are accurately positioned and protected, maintaining the slab’s structural integrity.

  • Concrete Formwork

    We check that the formwork is secure and properly supported, and that it provides the correct concrete cover over the reinforcement steel, as specified in the engineering plans and the standards. Cover is what protects the steel from corrosion and gives the slab its designed durability.

  • Slab Thickness & Edge Beams

    We verify that the slab thickness meets the engineering specifications to provide the necessary load-bearing capacity for the structure. Additionally, we check the dimensions and placement of edge beams and footings to ensure they comply with approved plans, providing essential support for the building’s perimeter and load-bearing walls.

  • Documentation & Review

    Before work begins we review the construction drawings and documentation to identify what to watch for at the slab and steel stage. During the inspection we work against those approved plans and engineering specifications, and report what we find against them.

Make a pre-slab enquiryEnquire about all five stages
2

Frame up, before it is covered

Frame Stage

The skeleton of the house, and the last clear view of it.Open

Timber roof trusses and wall bracing with ducting and plumbing penetrations running through the frame of a new house

5 checks at this stage

  • Concrete Slab Assessment

    We inspect the concrete slab for exposed steel around its perimeter, which can lead to rust and structural weakness over time. We also examine the slab’s surface finish for signs of excessive cracking, peeling, or dusting to ensure it meets durability and aesthetic standards. Additionally, we measure the levelness of the slab across all floor levels, identifying any deviations that could impact the structural integrity.

  • Wall Frame & Bracing

    We thoroughly check the wall frames for plumbness and straightness to ensure they meet design specifications and provide a solid base for the rest of the construction. We also verify that the bracing complies with the NCC, Australian Timber Framing Code, and approved engineering designs, ensuring the building can withstand wind loads and other forces. We inspect all framing materials for quality, checking for any signs of damage, warping, or other issues that could compromise the structure.

  • Roof Truss System

    We ensure the roof truss layout matches the approved plans and provides strong support for roofing materials. We check the installation and bracing against manufacturer specifications and Australian Standards, guaranteeing a stable, secure roof structure. Lastly, we inspect all connections, including nail plates and fixings, to confirm they are properly installed and offer the required strength and stability.

  • Engineering Compliance

    We systematically review the entire structure to ensure it complies with the approved engineering design, checking that all elements are correctly positioned and securely connected. Additionally, we verify that the locations of penetrations for services like plumbing and electrical do not compromise the structural integrity of the frame and are correctly placed according to the plans.

  • Construction Drawings Review

    Before construction begins we review the construction drawings and documentation to identify what to watch for at this stage. During the inspection we work against those approved plans and engineering specifications, and report what we find against them.

Make a frame stage enquiryEnquire about all five stages
3

Roof on, doors and windows in

Lock-Up Stage

Where water gets in, and where it is cheapest to stop.Open

An open vertical joint between cladding sheets beside a window, exposing the steel frame behind, on a home presented as at lock-up

9 checks at this stage

  • Window & Door Installation

    We inspect the window frames for proper installation and alignment, ensuring that they are securely fitted and function correctly. Our expertise ensures that your windows not only meet all safety and performance standards but also contribute to the overall energy efficiency of your home.

  • Guttering, Fascia & Eaves

    These elements are checked for levelness, straightness, and correct installation. We ensure that they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and durable.

  • Roofline & Tile Installation

    The roofline is inspected for correct alignment and structural integrity. We assess the installation of roof tiles or sheeting, ensuring that they comply with both manufacturer specifications and Australian Standards.

  • Roof Plumbing Assessment

    We assess all aspects of roof plumbing, including the installation of downpipes, rainheads, and overflow systems. This ensures that the roof drainage is adequate to prevent water ingress, which could lead to structural damage or moisture-related issues.

  • Timber Door Sills

    We verify the proper flashing and sealing of timber door sills to ensure they are fully protected from water ingress.

  • Articulation Joints, Flashings & Weepholes

    We confirm the proper placement of articulation joints, flashings, and weepholes to ensure structural flexibility and water drainage.

  • Brickwork & Slab Interface

    The brick walls are inspected to ensure they bear correctly on the concrete slab, with appropriate clearances and no debris or excessive mortar in the cavities.

  • Cladding Installation

    We compare the installation of the specific type of cladding used on your property against the manufacturer’s Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and installation requirements. This ensures that the cladding is installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, which is critical for maintaining the cladding’s warranty, durability, and performance.

  • External Features

    We assess the correct installation of external elements such as timber door sills, articulation joints, flashings, and weep holes. These components are vital for preventing moisture ingress and maintaining the structural integrity of the building.

Make a lock-up enquiryEnquire about all five stages
4

Before tiling starts

Waterproofing

The most expensive defect we find, and the easiest to bury.Open

A threaded balustrade fixing penetrating a balcony waterproofing membrane before tiling, leaving an unsealed penetration

7 checks at this stage

  • DFT (Dry Film Thickness) Assessment

    We utilise an advanced ultrasound device to measure the Dry Film Thickness of the waterproofing membrane. This ensures that the application meets the specifications outlined in the manufacturer’s Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and provides the required protection.

  • Comparison to Manufacturer’s TDS Documentation

    We compare the installed waterproofing system with the manufacturer’s TDS documentation to verify that the application aligns with the recommended guidelines for both the waterproofing product and the substrate preparation.

  • Compliance with NCC and AS 3740

    We check that the waterproofing system conforms to the National Construction Code (NCC) and the relevant Australian Standards, including AS 3740:2010 and AS 3740:2021. This ensures that the waterproofing is compliant with current regulations and best practices.

  • Adhesion Testing

    Where necessary, we conduct we conduct adhesion testing to verify that the waterproofing membrane is properly bonded to the substrate, ensuring long-term performance and durability.

  • Substrate Preparation and Waterproofing Application

    Where necessary, n Where necessary, we assess all aspects of the substrate preparation and waterproofing application to confirm that they meet the required standards and manufacturer’s guidelines.

  • Integration with External Finishes

    We ensure that the waterproofing system is correctly integrated with external finishes, checking that the cladding or substrate has been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s TDS prior to the waterproofing application. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of both the waterproofing system and the external finishes.

  • Removal of Interior Finishes

    If necessary, and with h the consent of the builder or client, we will remove interior finishes to fully assess the waterproofing system and identify any potential issues that may compromise the waterproofing integrity.

Make a waterproofing enquiryEnquire about all five stages
5

Before you take the keys

Practical Completion & Handover

Your last moment of leverage. Use it.Open

Cracked and patched render above a window with expanding foam left protruding, on a home offered for handover as complete

3 checks at this stage

  • Every room against the contract

    We walk the whole build against your contract and the approved plans, room by room, and list everything outstanding while the builder still needs your signature to be paid.

  • Defects photographed and referenced

    Each item is photographed and referenced to the standard or the plan it fails, so the list is something a builder can act on rather than argue with.

  • Documented before final payment

    The report lands before you release the final payment, which is the only moment in the whole build where the leverage is yours.

This stage has its own page: Practical Completion Inspection.

Make a completion enquiryEnquire about all five stages

Every photograph on this page is ours, from real inspections. Addresses and identifying details are removed.

Questions we get asked

Most new homes are inspected at four points: pre-slab, frame, lock-up and waterproofing, then again at practical completion before you make the final payment. Each one checks work that the next stage covers up permanently.

As early as you can, and before the pour. Booking after the slab is down means the foundation can no longer be inspected at all. If your build is already underway we start at whichever stage is next.

Every job is quoted, because the work is not the same twice. What moves the price is the complexity of the build, its size, the number of sites, the type of inspection and where it is. Send us the address and the stage and you will typically have a figure back within 24 hours.

Their duty runs to the legislation and the public interest, not to you. The Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors is explicit about it: where a provision could be read more than one way, a surveyor must “prefer the interpretation that best serves the objectives of the legislation and the public interest, rather than your interests or that of an applicant, client or other practitioners” (Code of Conduct for Building Surveyors, Victoria, June 2020, rule 1.1.2, made under section 177A(1)(a) of the Building Act 1993). They certify compliance at the mandatory stages. We check the quality of the work, for you. We have found missing slab steel, and framing that did not match the engineering, on builds that had already been signed off.

In Victoria the right is in the Act. Section 19 of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 provides: “A builder must permit the building owner (or a person authorised by the building owner) to have reasonable access to the building site and to view any part of the building works”, with a penalty of 20 penalty units. You authorise us, and we become that person. Other states have their own provisions, so if your build is interstate ask us and we will check before we quote.

A written report in plain English, with photographs of every defect and the standard or plan reference it fails against. Normally within 24 hours, though a bigger or more complex build takes longer. It is written so you can send it straight to your builder without editing it.

No. It is too late for the pre-slab inspection, and that one genuinely cannot be redone once the concrete is down, but every stage after it is still ahead of you. Plenty of people come to us partway through, and plenty come because they want someone thorough: often they have already had an inspector who did not properly investigate. We start at whichever stage is next and tell you honestly what we can and cannot still see.

You get the report, written so you can forward it to your builder as it is. Most builders fix what is documented properly, because a photographed defect referenced to the standard it fails is much harder to argue with than a phone call. Some resist. When that happens the matter is forwarded to the building regulator and goes through the dispute process, and the report is already in the form that process needs.

A week is the typical lead time. Build stages move constantly though, so we keep a wait list: when a job is rescheduled a slot opens up, sometimes at short notice. Tell us when the stage is expected to be ready and we will put you in, and let you know if something earlier comes free. If you are working to a hard date, say so when you enquire.

Why Choose Our Comprehensive Stage Inspection Service?

FOR A FLAWLESS BUILD

Choosing our comprehensive Stage Inspection Service ensures that your construction project is meticulously monitored at every critical stage, from the initial groundwork to the final handover. Our team of highly qualified inspectors is committed to safeguarding your investment by ensuring that every aspect of your build is completed to the highest standards of quality, compliance, and craftsmanship. This service also includes a thorough Waterproofing Inspection and a Practical Completion Inspection, giving you complete confidence that your home is ready for handover.

By engaging us throughout the entire construction process, you benefit from:

  • Peace of Mind – we catch potential issues early, preventing costly repairs and delays, ensuring your home is built right

  • Expert Guidance – our detailed reports and recommendations help you make informed decisions and ensure that your builder adheres to all relevant standards and codes

  • Quality Assurance – we hold your builder accountable, ensuring they meet approved plans, engineering designs, and regulatory requirements, guaranteeing your home is both beautiful and structurally sound.

  • Increased Property Value – a home built with attention to detail and adherence to strict standards is a valuable asset, ensure your home is built to last, preserving its value and preventing future defects

  • Smooth Handover – with thorough inspections, you can expect a seamless transition into your new home, with no surprises at handover

Construction Stage Inspections

ENQUIRE ABOUT YOUR STAGE INSPECTIONS

Don’t leave your build to chance. We inspect at every stage of the build, checking the work against the approved plans, the engineering and the standards it has to meet. We make sure your home is not just built, but built to last. Tell us the address and the stage and you will have a price back the same day on a weekday, to protect your investment and your home’s integrity from the ground up.

ENQUIRE NOW