@Pazz,

In Victoria, your home would not be getting built without a building inspector already hired by your builder or building company but not knowing where you live, I can't speak for other states.
We are currently building our own home ourselves, that is to say, no subbies or qualified builder as such, just hubby with what's called an owner builders certificate and we have hired our own inspector who usually does only three inspections.
If your frame is already up then there should have already been your first foundations inspection.
The next check is the frame including the roof frame and all windows and is usually called "lock up" and then the last inspection is when the home is considered complete and ready to move into and if passed, a "certificate of occupency" is provided and if there is anything found that does not comply, then these problems need to be fixed before you can get your certificate.
There is a huge gap between the frame or lockup and completion and if you are concerned with anything then get professional help QUICKLY and NEVER be afraid of speaking up or asking questions!!!

Good luck,

Barbara

Hi Barbara, thanks for your response. We are in Victoria too.

And yes, the builder's engaged an independent consultant (building inspector) for three inspections.

The frame stage has only just started (1 week) and when completed there's a base & frame inspection scheduled.

And as you said, the second inspection after lock-up stage and the third one at completion before settlement (handover).

We're just wondering if it's worth getting our own inspector as well, or it's not necessary?

You read so many horror blogs out there, but I have to say that so far we can't really fault our builder.

@Pazz,
I completely understand what you're saying but if you are happy with the works and not suspicious about anything, then I'd go with your gut feeling that your builder is doing the right thing.
All inspectors at least in my region, are independant from the shires but none the less know their job and should be reliable.
What I don't particularly like nowdays, is the shortcuts that exist in the building industry, as hubby has built many a home over his lifetime and having learned the trade from his father, things are simply not done like they were 40 years ago.
I'm not suggesting that houses today aren't built properly but financial cost cutting has seen some really weird new stuff being done on a building sites that even make me cringe!!!
Our inspector has cost us over $2,500 paid up front but I'm just not sure what an independant inspector could do for you, as the building only has to visually comply to an inspector on three occasions as we discussed earlier.
I would think you would be far better investing in a private, perhaps retired builder who would be happy to keep an eye on the building process without it costing you too much, to see things that the inspector never sees, like the timbers used in your framing in specific places like doorways for example that might pass but your independant guy might say he would prefer to see stronger timbers in certain places or how the wiring is put in by the sparky or the plumbing etc...etc...
This extra scrutiny could upset your builder though and if you don't have any issues with him and have a good relationship, you might be better off to trust him!!
I can see this could be tricky for you but do what you must do, as it's very hard to go backwards if something isn't right.
Cheers,
Barbara

Thank you all. Builder says we are welcome to engage our own independent inspector and just let supervisor know so appropriate access to site can be arranged, which in way tells us that builder must be confident in the quality of his work. As opposed to the 'horror blogs', most of the blogs/reviews on our builder from ppl who'd engaged their own independent inspector revealed that they were pleasantly surprised at the quality of work, finishes, quite often above standards, which was one of the reasons we went with that builder in the first place. So since things have been going well so far, I think it sensible for us to have faith in the builder for now, raise any concerns we may come across along the way and maybe get an inspector at completion to check the finishes, etc. Thank you all for your advice :)

We also just started construction. So far, it's just been the fencing and site cut and fill.

We were considering asking a friend who is a commercial builder to recommend someone who could conduct inspections at the following stages: Pre-slab (to ensure all the plumbing, etc is in the right spot), slab, frame, pre-plaster (to ensure that the plasterboard doesn't hide anything), lock-up and final. But, it will ultimately depend upon how expensive each of the individual inspections are. We'll also do our best to monitor the work, at least up until lock-up stage as we'll then be unable to enter the property.

Here are some resources which I've found helpful:

http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewforum.php?f=31

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/building-and-renovating/checklists/during-construction

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/building-and-renovating/checklists/when-building-work-is-complete

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/tag/construction-stages/

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2014/05/how-many-construction-inspections/

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/11/using-a-building-inspector/

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2014/01/using-your-own-building-inspector/

http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2013/12/building-certification-inspections/

http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/

http://www.inspectionangel.com.au/checklist

http://www.abis.com.au/handover-checklist

Good luck!

@Pazz,
Good outcome, communication is key!!
Cheers,
Barbara

Thanks for the links haephestus. We had a chat last night and have decided to have two independent inspections, one combined frame/lock-up stage but at pre-plaster and at the practical completion. We'll leave the base/frame inspection to the builder :)

Rob http://www.caseybuildinginspections.com.au came out on time and did his job in a timely and clean manner. The report was emailed out within a couple days once the test results were in. Rob followed up with a phone call and another visit when some questions came up.

Your builder will build your home to the plans and specifications you have supplied, his training will ensure all work is to "acceptable standards "

Ask your builder " Would you build your own home to the specification, I have presented "

Basically, it comes down to the quality of construction of your home, ( the bones ).

Many times, one has seen homes being constructed to a superior standard, Architect designed homes and homes for/by families from European, Middle Eastern, and Chinese cultures, building FULL BRICK homes, with concrete first floors, built home to stand for 100 years,

In the majority of Australian homes, the specifications are to minimum standards, which can be questionable, an example,

Timber frame ( brick veneer ) exterior Stud cross-sectional size, over the past C50 years has been reduced from Oregon 100x50 mm to Pine ( untreated ) 75x35mm,

Concrete slab strength, acceptable standards 25mpa, A builders own home probably 32mpa+

Is the concrete slab level +-- mm within Engineers Tolerance

The spacing of rafters for colorbond roof can be an acceptable standard of 600mm centres,

450 mm centres, superior quality, ( more expensive )

Wet Area Flooring, particleboard OR Sycon or compressed ?

An incomplete list.

If you're an owner builder like we were, there were only 3 inspections, prepared foundations, so already preped and ready to pour footings in our case as we had stumps then a frame inspection and then lockup or move in and again in our case with two bathrooms, the rule was you could still move in if at least one bathroom was finished although both of ours were done.

No pre plaster or waterproofing inspections, that for us was all done in good faith and never checked but we didn't skimp, in fact we mostly went overboard with waterproofing etc... and we did the tiling ourselves.

I think people who go with a building company would all have those extra checks.

It's a shame people don't get more involved in such stages as pre plaster for example, is the ideal time to make sure there are supports for the simple but everyday things like the toilet roll holder or even towel rails that will never stand the test of time if they are only fixed to plaster.

Also most importantly is for those who still like curtains and want to hang them above the window frames to get a bit of height out of the curtain like I did, must also make sure there is aequate supports for the weight.