Why New Homes Need Independent Handover Building Inspections

As Victorian builders and pest inspectors we’ve seen a lot of what goes on in the building and pest inspection industry. If you value your new investment and want to protect it, have it independently inspected and checked for termite treatment.

Don’t put your head in the sand

While most builders are conscientious enough to want to do a good job, things do get covered up. Whether by accident, lack of skill or oversight. Your contract may indicate where building inspection and termite treatment will be provided but by whom? Builders, especially volume builders, tend to have a stable of preferred suppliers.

Be 100% sure your Building Inspector is working for you

Have your building inspected by your own appointed service in stages. It can save you a lot of time and money further down the track.

Consider the importance of a Stage Inspection

As a new building goes up in stages and the layers are gradually constructed and pieced together, there are crucial moments in the build where your new home should be inspected. The new layer going over top can make it difficult to identify faults or get in to inspect those parts of the build later.

What a Stage Inspection looks for

Above all, checking the new build in stages ensures the materials used are the ones you are paying for. You’ll be certain that any sand or rock has been expertly handled. Steel work, the footings and framework are the bones of your home. Good bones, long life. We like to inspect the framework before the walls go on.

The quality of the termite treatment

Do you know what type of termite treatment you are getting? What does your contract say? Often treatments are not done properly. Sprays or soil treatments are done then landscaped over, constructing a pathway for termites to get in. Perhaps the soil is too high to begin with, especially up against the home.

It’s easier to get it fixed now

An independent building and pest inspection can identify any concerns you need to take up with your builder and have fixed quickly. We’ve had issues in the past that have escalated to a Town Planning hearing. Armed with an independent assessment the homeowners were able to settle the issue in their favour.

Don’t wait until Handover

Do not hand over the last instalment until you are perfectly satisfied. You may find it doubly hard to get things fixed at the same rate as before you moved in.

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