Inspections / Services

The following Inspections / Services are offered by Inspect-A-Home:

Standard Inspection
Newly Built Inspection
Building Disputes Inspection
Building Progress Inspection (Quality Control)
Handover and de-snag inspection

Standard Inspection

This is the most commonly used inspection requested by homebuyers purchasing an existing home. The purpose of the inspection is to uncover existing faults and identify potential problems. A detailed report is drawn up that lists the findings, as well as suggested remedies and estimated repair costs.

The report is not a checklist with computer generated generic information. It is specifically written for the client in the form of a narrative and includes supporting photos, where necessary, to help explain or show certain defects. Remedies are suggested and cost of rectification is included.

Inspections are thorough, taking 2-3 hours to complete on a standard 3 bedroom house, and cover every aspect of the property from roof to boundary walls.

The following areas/components are inspected, but are not necessarily limited to:

External: Roof, flashings, gutters, roof cavity, plumbing in the roof cavity, geyser installation compliance, eaves, super structure, windows, doors, balconies and patios.
Internal: Floor coverings, skirtings, windows, doors, walls, cupboards, fittings, cornices, ceilings. Bathrooms: shower, bath, basins, toilet, tiling, fittings.
Outbuildings etc.: Staff quarters, storerooms, garages, swimming pool, water runoff, storm water drainage, tennis courts, gates, retaining and boundary walls.

Reports are confidential and issued only to the client.

To see extracts of actual reports, click here.

The inspection price is dependent on the size of the property (e.g. number of rooms) to inspect and the complexity of the dwelling e.g. double storey, multiple roof cavities, etc. For an accurate price estimate please contact us.

Newly Built Inspection

This report is commonly produced upon completion of an inspection of a newly built house. It lists incomplete and incorrect aspects of the building and can be followed by an optional de-snag inspection to ensure that the snags have been satisfactorily addressed.

The following areas/components are ‘snagged’ but are not necessarily limited to:

External: Roof, flashings, gutters, roof cavity, plumbing in the roof cavity, geyser installation compliance, eaves, super structure, windows, doors, balconies and patios.
Internal: Floor coverings, skirtings, windows, doors, walls, cupboards, fittings, cornices, ceilings. Bathrooms: shower, bath, basins, toilet, tiling, fittings.
Outbuildings, etc: Staff quarters, storerooms, garages, swimming pool, water runoff, storm water drainage, tennis courts, gates, retaining and boundary walls.

This report is also used by developers, architects, builders and project managers to assist them in their duties and aid in delivering a better quality product.

The snag list is typically in point form and goes into specific detail on finishes, for example over painting on skirting boards, which would not be the sort of detail in a Standard report.

Snag remedies and photographs are not usually necessary with a snag list.

Building Dispute Resolution

When the owner and builder disagree on aspects of the building or quality of workmanship, Inspect-A-Home can offer an impartial 3rd party report of the facts.

Although we are not arbitrators, the technical expertise and experience, as well as the neutral stance of an Inspect-A-Home inspector, can help parties reach an agreement in an unemotional, professional and expedient manner to avoid the need for court action.

Lawyers also use our reports to obtain independent details on the state of a building project and the costs involved in rectification. Our reports are factual and unbiased and based on National Building Regulation Requirements and acceptable building practice. Inspect-A-Home reports are often called upon during arbitration or legal procedures with regard to buildings. We will also testify in a court action if called upon to support one of our reports.

Building Progress Inspection (Quality Control)

Inspect-A-Home offers inspections at various stages of the building process, from foundation trenches to hand over.

This is a vital tool in ensuring that quality standards are maintained and that potentially expensive faults are rectified in time. This translates into huge savings for the homeowner and the building contractor / developer.

Our involvement is well received by reputable builders who welcome our suggestions and constructive criticism. Ultimately, they want the same thing - a good quality final product and a happy customer.

Inspections can be done at any stage of the construction, but the suggested stages are:

Trench / foundation preparation ready for concrete pour
Surface bed preparation ready for concrete pour
Ground floor brickwork complete
First floor concrete slab preparation (multiple storey dwellings)
First floor ready for concrete pour (multiple storey dwellings)
First floor brickwork complete (multiple storey dwellings)
Roof preparation and truss complete prior to roof tiles/covering
First fix electrical and plumbing complete
Building structurally complete ready for finishes
Preparation of final completion list
Snag list (as above)

Handover and de-snag inspection

For developers building multiple units, Inspect-A-Home could be a vital tool in ensuring that quality standards are maintained across the board, and that faults are rectified before they can be repeated elsewhere.

Follow the link below to see actual samples of our Inspect-A-Home reports.