The 4 Key Phases of Construction

Construction of your home is done in phases involving assorted contractors working on different systems. The finished product will last many years so you’d like to know when the dust settles that your new home is all you want it to be. In short, you want to be sure everything went according to plan. If not, you’re going to have to live with less-than-ideal results, or spend a lot more time and money correcting them. That’s where the stage construction inspection comes in.

Stage construction inspections allow the home builder to ensure that sound building practices are utilized throughout each phase of the building process. These inspections evaluate key aspects of the home’s construction in several important areas.
1.Slab – The very foundation of the home, the concrete slab is evaluated to ascertain that it was poured to the proper dimensions per the plans. The inspector will check that plumbing lines are in the proper locations and installed correctly, look for cracks and evaluate for quality workmanship. If all meets with Australian Standards, the next stage is framing.
2.Wall and Roof Framing – The skeleton of the home, the wood framing is built upon the foundation. At this stage, the inspector checks to confirm that the walls and roof are framed to the right dimensions according to the plans. Window and door frames are inspected to verify they are the proper dimensions and in the correct location.
3.Pre-Lining/Lock-up Stage – After the roof and framing have been installed, the exterior veneer has been added and all services have been installed (plumbing, electrical, gas lines, etc.), the inspector will scrutinize the quality of the workmanship prior to the wall and ceiling coverings being installed. This includes checking that plumbing, wiring and other services have been properly installed and placed in the right locations according to building plans.
4.Pre-Handover- This is the last stage of the inspection. As its name implies, at this phase the home is essentially completed, prior to being handed over to the homeowner. Inspection during the pre-handover stage includes appraising the finished work such as cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, wall and ceiling coverings, brickwork and plastering. Again, installation of each will be measured against the plans to ensure all work has been done according to specifications.

As you can see, employing a professional certified stage construction inspector is a valuable asset to a new home owner. Once you’ve taken ownership of a home, the repair of any previously undetected defects becomes a debated and unpleasant experience as no one wants to accept responsibility. It’s clear that having a thorough evaluation of every phase of construction before you are handed the keys will save you a lot of grief. To protect your investment, and to ensure that the finished product is exactly what you paid for, the wise move is to hire a stage construction inspector.

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