New Construction Inspection
What is New Construction Inspection?
Building a new home is a big investment—and even the best builders can miss details. A new construction inspection is a professional, independent check of your home at key stages of the build.
At Jim’s Building Inspections, our home inspector for new homes ensure every part of the build is safe, compliant, and completed to the highest standards. Whether you’re building your dream home or a new investment property, our new home construction inspections help you avoid costly surprises down the track.
Why do you need a New Home Building Inspection?
Building or buying a new home is a big investment, but how can you ensure it’s built to standard? Many buyers rely solely on the builder’s word, but a new home construction inspection provides an independent assessment, confirming that the build meets the highest standards.
A new home building inspection is crucial for:
- Compliance with Regulations: Ensuring the property meets building approval and complies with local construction standards.
- Identifying Defects Early: Catching defective building work, incomplete construction, or shortcuts before they turn into costly problems.
- Insurance Requirements: Many buyers need home owner builder insurance, which is easier to secure with a detailed inspection report.
- Peace of Mind: Whether you’re buying off the plan or building remotely, construction stage inspections help protect your investment at every major milestone.
A new build inspection from Jim’s ensures your home is built to last and compliant with local regulations, from slab stage to final walkthrough.
What do our New Construction Inspection Report include?
Our new construction inspection reports are detailed, easy to understand, and delivered fast, usually within 24 hours of inspection.
Here’s what you’ll find in your report:
- Structural and workmanship checks
- Visual evidence (with photos) of issues or non-compliance
- Notes on defects or incomplete work
- Compliance with construction standards
- Recommendations for next steps or rectifications
Benefits of New Build Inspection Services
A new construction inspection offers several key benefits that protect your property and investment:
- Prevents Costly Issues: Identifying defects early with new home building inspections ensures you fix problems before they escalate into expensive repairs.
- Regulatory Compliance: Our construction stage inspections ensure the property is compliant with building approval and construction codes.
- Improved Quality: A home inspector for new home builds verifies that the new home construction meets the highest standards, reducing the chance of defects later.
- Maximised Property Value: A well-constructed, inspected property holds its value better in the market, especially if it’s backed by a new build inspection.
- Peace of Mind for Buyers and Builders: Whether you’re an investor, a first-time homebuyer, or a builder, knowing your new home passes construction stage inspections gives confidence throughout the build.
What is a Stage Inspection?
A complete new home inspection comprises of 4 separate inspections conducted throughout the major stages of construction.
By covering all of these major stages, we ensure that nothing goes unnoticed, and at every stage it is built to standards, assuring by the end result you will have a safe sound quality built home.
At every stage of your new home inspection, you will receive a fully written report complete with photographs, informing you of our inspector’s observations.
Download a Sample Report
Get a clear understanding of what our new construction inspection includes by downloading a sample report. See how we detail findings, assess risks, and provide recommendations for your property.
1. Slab Stage (prior to pouring concrete)
The slab stage or the base stage inspection is essential in the inspection process.
This is an important stage in new home inspection, as alarming errors in floor-slabs can cause a disastrous outcome, which sometimes may not come to light until a few years later.
We strongly recommend having this inspection carried out prior to the pouring of concrete, it will give you great peace of mind.
Some of the items checked during this inspection are:
- Levels are checked to confirm the slab has been installed within allowable deviation in the over level across the room or the entire build.
- All the Beams and footings are checked.
- The edge rebate is checked to ensure it is not “honeycombed” and there is no evidence of steel reinforcement protruding as it must have at least 40 mm concrete coverage.
- The vapour barrier must extend past the poured concrete slab with adequate overlap left so that it extends up the side wall of the slab past the final finished ground level once the construction is completed.
- Termite protection barrier installation, where needed.
- Steel reinforcement is secured and tied at lap and splices
We will inspect and report on issues surrounding Poor building practices or Incorrectly placed materials
2. Frame Stage
Frame stage inspection is carried out after the frame has been completed.
Frame stage inspections are conducted providing an independent assessment of the works to confirm they have been completed ready for stage payment. Our review monitors the frame with respect to the approved construction methods stipulated in Australian Standard 1684.2 and the Engineers design requirements as detailed on the Approved Plans.
Some of the items checked during this inspection are:
- The installation of windows and door frames are checked at this stage.
- Frame positioning in relation to the supporting slab is checked with any overhanging tolerances along with load bearing timbers, lintels and orientation of Jack Studs above openings.
- Items such as the correct number of timber blocks and their securing method are checked along with all bracing, mechanical fasteners, tie downs and anchors.
- Any Issues relating to ceiling Height
- The correct location of plumbing waste outlets.
- The insulation wrap around the frame has not been torn (this can only be inspected before the plasterboard is fitted to the frame inside the home).
- For peace of mind, a Frame Inspections is strongly recommended and imperative for ensuring that the building frame structure is sound and meets design requirements.
3. Lock up Stage
Lock up stage Inspections are very important. Before you hand over one of the largest stage payments to your builder.
The lock up stage inspections should be carried out when a home’s external wall cladding and roof covering is fixed, the flooring is laid and the external doors and windows are fixed to the frame (even if those doors and windows are only temporary).
Some of the items checked during this inspection are:
- We inspect the roofing that is installed to ensure it is complete and free of defects and damage, all flashings are installed.
- A visual inspection is carried out to check the installation of flashings.
- Brick work is checked for correct installation.
- All windows and doors are installed with the correct fixings using appropriate blocks and the frame straight, plumb and true.
- The installed plaster to the ceilings, wall linings and fitted cornice is checked to ensure it is installed to acceptable standards.
- Waterproof membrane to showers & wet areas are inspected to ensure they are correctly installed and comply with the requirements of the Building Code.
- There is adequate fall applied to the gutters around the house and the garage.
- There are no cracked, chipped or broken bricks.
- We ensure that the lock up stage has been fully and properly completed and that all building works at the lock up stage have been completed compliant with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and all relevant Australian Standards.
4. Handover
New construction Inspections require an exhaustive check of the construction. At handover inspection we check that all the work completed “in a proper and workman like manner” ensuring that the workmanship is at an industry standard.
The construction of the dwelling needs to reflect the Approved Plans and we check that all components of the building comply with relevant Australian Standards and Building Codes.
Handover or Final stage inspections are also called Practical Completion Inspections (PCI) and Pre Handover Inspections.
Some of the key items checked during this inspection are:
- The roof above the house and the garage to make sure there are no points where rainwater can enter the house and damage the insulation and plasterboard etc. inside the house.
- All internal cladding, architraves, skirting, doors, built in shelves, baths, basins, troughs, sinks, cabinets, vanity units, bench tops and cupboards of a home are correctly fitted and fixed in position compliant with the relevant building plans and specifications, the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian standards and tolerances
- The correct installation of the waterproof membranes in the wet areas (e.g. ensuites and bathrooms).
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Frequently asked questions
When should I get a new home construction inspection?
New home building inspections are recommended at critical construction stages, including slab, frame, lock-up, and handover. Each stage ensures that the build complies with construction standards.
What areas do we service in new build inspections?
We offer new build inspections across Australia, ensuring compliance and quality assurance at every stage. Contact us to find an inspector near you.
What’s included in a new home inspection report?
Our new home construction inspection reports include a detailed review of structural integrity, workmanship, construction standards, photos of defects, and recommendations for repairs.
What is the latest technology used in new construction inspections?
We utilise advanced tools like thermal cameras, laser measurements, and moisture detection equipment to detect issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye, ensuring a thorough inspection of your new build.
What qualifications do the building inspectors have?
Our home inspectors for new homes are qualified professionals with extensive experience in new home inspections. They meet all necessary qualifications and are fully trained to inspect the new home construction thoroughly.
How much does a new home inspection cost?
The cost of a new construction inspection depends on the size, stage, and complexity of the property. Contact us for a personalised quote based on your specific needs.
How long does a new home inspection take?
Typically, a new home inspection takes 1-3 hours, depending on the stage of construction and property size. The process ensures every aspect of your new home is reviewed in detail.