New Build Staged Inspections
Independent inspections at each critical construction stage, while the work is still open and still cheap to correct.
Who this report is for
Owners building a new home, whether with a volume builder or a custom builder, who want their own inspector present at the stages that matter.
When to order it
Booked as a program at the start of construction. Each stage is inspected while the work is still visible — once it is covered, the opportunity has gone.
What is inspected
- Base and slab — before the pour, while the steel, membrane, formwork and set-out can still be seen
- Frame — before linings, when tie-downs, bracing, member sizes, notching and workmanship are all open
- Pre-plaster and services rough-in — after services, before the walls close
- Waterproofing — wet areas before tiling, the single highest-consequence stage in the build
- Lock-up — roof, external cladding, windows and doors, weatherproofing at the junctions
- Fixing — internal linings, joinery, trims and the quality of the finish work
- Practical completion — the full handover inspection before you accept the building
What you receive
- A written report after each stage, with photographs, issued to you directly
- Items described so they can be handed to the builder and acted on without argument
- Anything that must be resolved before the next stage flagged as such
- Reinspection of previously raised items on the following visit
- A conversation with the inspector after each stage
Important exclusions and limitations
Publishing this is unusual. It should not be — you should know where the gaps are before you rely on the document.
- These are independent inspections for the owner. They are not the mandatory certifier inspections and do not replace them.
- They do not certify the building or any part of it, and they are not a substitute for engineering design or certification.
- Access depends on site conditions and the builder’s program. Stages can only be inspected while they are open.
- The report identifies workmanship and compliance concerns for the owner to raise. It does not direct or supervise the builder.
Technology and equipment used
- Professional FLIR thermal imaging
- Moisture measurement and mapping
- FPV micro-drone access where safe and permitted
Thermal imaging identifies temperature anomalies and supports professional interpretation; it is not proof of a hidden defect on its own. Drone use depends on weather, airspace, privacy and site conditions and supplements physical inspection rather than guaranteeing complete coverage.
Turnaround
Need it fast? An urgent report is delivered within 6 hours of the inspection when you ask for one at the time of booking. Standard turnaround is confirmed in writing with your booking, before the inspection takes place.
Pricing
The guide price for this report starts at $445 (inc GST) for a standard job of this type. The confirmed figure is subject to travel distance and job complexity, and also depends on the property type and size, access, the scope of the report, urgency and any specialist equipment or testing required. You receive a confirmed price and a written scope before anything is booked.
- Property type and size
- Location and travel
- Access to the areas that need inspecting
- The scope of the report
- Complexity, and how many concerns are involved
- Urgency
- Any specialist equipment or testing required
Service areas
This report is available across Sydney, The Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven. Outside these areas, call 1300 140 579 and ask — travel is often workable.
Questions
Questions about this report
Which stages are worth paying for?
If budget forces a choice: frame, waterproofing and practical completion. The frame is structural and about to be hidden. Waterproofing failures are the most expensive defect in Australian housing and are covered within days. Practical completion is your last real leverage before you hand over the money.
My builder says an independent inspector is not allowed on site.
Access is usually a matter of notice and insurance rather than a genuine prohibition, and many contracts contemplate it. Check the contract terms early — before you sign, if you still can — because it is a much harder conversation once the slab is down.
Does this replace the private certifier?
No. The certifier inspects against a defined set of mandatory stages, for compliance, and they are not your inspector. This is a separate independent inspection carried out on your behalf, looking at workmanship and quality as well.
Can you inspect one stage only?
Yes. A single frame or waterproofing inspection is a common booking and is worth doing even if you take nothing else.
How much notice do you need for a stage inspection?
As much as you can give, because construction stages move and the window for a frame or waterproofing inspection can be a matter of days. Tell us the expected stage dates when you book and we will work to them. Site access also has to be arranged with the builder or site supervisor, which is easier with notice than on the morning.
Request a report
Tell us the property and the problem
You will get a confirmed price and a written scope before anything is booked. No deposit is taken to answer a question.
Would rather just talk it through?
1300 140 579Describe the property and the concern. You will get a straight answer about which report fits, including when the answer is that you do not need one.
- NSW Licensed Builder
- Professional Indemnity Insured
- $20 Million Public Liability Insurance
- More than 20 years of hands-on building experience
- Independent — the report is written for you
Enquiry received.
Thank you — your request has been sent and you will get a reply with availability, scope and cost.
If you are working to an auction or a cooling-off deadline and need an answer quickly, call 1300 140 579.