When you are building your new home, you will be required to subject the structure to inspection. These assessments will be carried at different levels of the construction process, and the exact requirements will depend on the building regulations imposed in your local area. The technical examination of the home is performed by a licensed building inspector. Ideally, you should hire this professional as a specialty consultant, but there are also inspectors available from local council offices. The inspections that you should perform will often be outlined in building approval. However, there are some mandatory assessments for all buildings that you should be keen about to avoid future legal problems.
Footings and Foundation Inspection
The base of your home is the most crucial part of the building and can determine the viability of the entire structure. If the excavation work is not good or the laid slab is weak, the foundation will shift or crack over time. This can be dangerous and the cost of underpinning will be high. The footings inspection should be performed when the ground is excavated, before the foundational elements are installed. Therefore, ensure that the inspector provides official documentation from this stage. When the concrete slab is built, it must also be assessed to ensure that it matched the potential load of the building.
Structural Framing
The framing of the building refers to the skeleton that will support the walls, roof and other similar parts of the building. The assessment of this structure is crucial before the completion of the house because they are load bearing components. In simple terms, the process is conducted before the frames are covered with timber, plywood or plasterboard. If you conceal before the certificate of approval is issued, you might be forced to deconstruct the structure, which can be an expensive undertaking.
Final Inspection
The final inspection of the building is a general but thorough examination of the completed house. Generally, all the elements in the building cannot be inspected at every stage because of the cost implications. However, there are still strict regulations that govern construction of plumbing, roofing, balustrading, electrical and specialty features in the house. These are examined during the final inspection to ensure they meet technical standards. This top-to-bottom work will be carried out before the handover and subsequent occupation.
You should note that waterproofing inspection is mandatory in some regions, so discuss the issue with your builder. In addition, ensure that the payment for inspection is factored into the building contract before project commencement.
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