An independent stage inspection checks your new home at each milestone of the build, so defects and incomplete work are found and raised with your builder before they are covered over. PADinspections inspects new builds across Melbourne’s west, north and east and Geelong, from the slab through to handover.
Our inspections are led by Patrick Dunne, a registered domestic builder and qualified carpenter with an Advanced Diploma in Building and Surveying. He knows what the work should look like at each stage because he has the trade and building qualifications behind it.
Building a new home? Book a stage inspection online or call (03) 8797 2639 with your address and the stage your builder is up to.
Why owners building a new home choose PADinspections
- Registered Domestic Builder leading the team, with professional indemnity insurance.
- Rated 5.0 from 582 Google reviews by home buyers and owners across Melbourne and Geelong.
- A written report with photographs after each stage, so you can pass the items straight to your site supervisor.
- Roofs that cannot be walked safely can be photographed by drone, added to an inspection from $150. What a drone roof inspection shows.
Which stages of a new build do we inspect?
A new home is built in stages, and each stage presents different risks.
By inspecting the property throughout construction, issues can be identified earlier and raised with the builder before the next stage is completed.
Depending on the build, inspections may include:
- Base or slab stage inspections (what the slab stage inspection checks)
- Frame stage inspections (what the frame stage inspection checks)
- Pre-plaster inspections
- Lock-up inspections (what the lock-up inspection checks)
- Fixing stage inspections (what the fixing stage inspection checks)
- PCI and final handover inspections (what the handover inspection checks)
For what happens at each stage and what can go wrong, read our guide to the stages of building a new home. If you are about to take the keys, our article on why handover inspections matter explains what to look for at PCI.
What do we check during construction?
The areas assessed depend on the construction stage and what is accessible at the time of inspection.
Our inspections may include assessment of:
- Slab and structural elements
- Wall and roof framing
- Bracing and connections
- Brickwork and external walls
- Roofing
- Windows and doors
- Insulation
- Internal linings
- Visible waterproofing details
- Finishes and workmanship
- Incomplete items and defects
Where relevant, visible work may be assessed against applicable building requirements, plans and construction standards.
Book Your Inspection Online
Call (03) 8797 2639
Why use an independent inspector when the building surveyor already inspects?
The relevant building surveyor’s mandatory inspections check the work against the building permit at set points in the build. An independent stage inspection is carried out for you, the owner. It records defects, incomplete work and items that do not match your plans in a report you can give your builder before the next stage goes ahead.
Many building defects are easier to correct when they are identified early.
For example, framing defects can be much more difficult to assess once plaster has been installed, while waterproofing and finishing issues can become costly if they are not identified before handover.
Independent inspections give you another experienced set of eyes on the build and provide documented evidence of defects that may need to be raised with your builder.
What do you get after each stage?
Following each inspection, you will receive a detailed report outlining the items identified.
Reports include photographs and clear explanations of defects, incomplete work and areas requiring attention.
Where appropriate, the report may recommend further assessment or rectification by the builder or a suitably licensed tradesperson.
Where do we inspect new builds?
Most of our stage inspections are in Melbourne’s growth corridors, including new homes in Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Craigieburn, Point Cook, Werribee, the wider Wyndham area, Melton and Caroline Springs in the west, Mernda and Doreen in the north, and Geelong. See all the areas we cover.
Building or buying something else?
- Taking handover of a new apartment or townhouse: see our apartment inspections, which include PCI and handover checks.
- Buying an established home: a pre-purchase building and pest inspection.
New home inspection questions
Which stages do you inspect?
We inspect at the base or slab stage, frame, pre-plaster, lock-up, fixing, and practical completion (PCI) at handover. Call us with your builder’s schedule and we will talk through which stages to book.
Can you inspect a new townhouse or apartment at handover?
Yes. Handover inspections for new apartments and townhouses are covered on our apartment inspections page.
What if the roof cannot be walked safely?
We can photograph the roof by drone and include the images in your report. A drone roof inspection can be added to an inspection from $150.
Who carries out the inspections?
Our inspections are led by Patrick Dunne, a registered domestic builder with an Advanced Diploma in Building and Surveying and a Certificate III in Carpentry.
Book a New Home Building Inspection
If you are building a new home and want an independent inspection at one or more stages of construction, contact PADinspections.
