“Georgia has assisted me over many years with various building projects I have undertaken. Her attention to details and prompt follow up with trades is excellent.
She has a wide knowledge of building finishes and fittings and the cost implications of various options. I can brief her on my requirements and know the job will be done the right way the first time. I would recommend her services to other renovators.”
Stuart Mowbray - South Yarra
Building Inspections
New Homes, Renovations & extensions
Building a new home or undertaking renovations is both an exciting and a stressful time. Building or extending a home is a large financial committment and the associated paperwork can be overwhelming to somebody untrained in this area. The building contract comprises the drawings, specifications, engineering documents and a legal agreement. A building project requires an ongoing relationship with your builder. In many cases when the builder gives advice you have no way of knowing if this is the best solution.
Unfortunately it can be very expensive, very inconvenient and emotionally exhausting if things go wrong. Contract Check are building consultants who offer independent advice so you can inform yourself at all stages of the building project. The best way to ensure a smooth project is to ensure all your requirements are included in the documents at the beginning of the project. That way the builder has a very clear understanding of what needs to be included.
The Building Surveyor carries out 3 mandatory inspections at footing stage, when the frame is erected and then a final. In most cases the builder uses his own private Building Surveyor. Our on site inspections ensure that the building complies with the minimum standards as well as the contract documentation. The surveyor does not review the works at other critical stages such as waterproofing of wet areas, when services are being roughed in and when joinery is being installed but we do.
Our Premium Inspection Package includes the following:
- Review of sketch designs
- Review of builders quotations
- Checking the builder is licensed & has appropriate insurance
- Review of drawings & specifications and recommendations of items to be included
- Review of contract & suggested additional clauses
- Attend contract finalisation with the builder & owner
- Review of cost variations & progress claims during construction
- Provide telephone advice to owners as required
- 3 on site inspections at pre plaster stage, after the waterproofing is completed and a final inspection. A comprehensive report is compiled following these inspections. The final inspection will generate a list of defects and incomplete works for you to forward to the builder.
- Ensuring the Certificate of Occupancy is issued in a timely manner and the builder completes the works on time.
THE PREMIUM INSPECTION PACKAGE
The Premium Inspection Package provides peace of mind and we quote a fixed fee which in most cases is around 1% of the building cost. If you wish for a more comprehensive service or wish us to manage specialist finishes and trades and allows you to be hands off then our Project Management Package would be more suitable.
We can carry out defects inspection for Builders Warranty Insurers and for several years our consultants have worked for the largest companies in this area. During this time we have looked at thousands of homes with defective and incomplete works. Our detailed and thorough reports and photographs enable an insurer to make the right decisions based on all the facts.
Inspection of building related matters for general insurers is another service that we offer.
DEFECTS IN NEW HOMES OR EXTENSIONS
Building a new home or extending your existing can be one of the largest investment decisions you will make in your lifetime. At no time do you spend such a large amount of money at the one time.
We undertake critical inspections during the building process and compile a comprehensive report detailing defects and incomplete works. These inspections are carried out with the builder and homeowner.
Under the Building Act 1993 the builder may be held responsible for defects up to 10 years after completion of the home. We can inspect a home after completion and recommend if the builder could be held responsible or the best way to rectify the defect. In many cases we can negotiate with the builder to make good the works without having to proceed in a legal manner.
In the case that your builder has died, becomes insolvent or has disappeared we will assist you to lodge a claim for Builders Warranty Insurance.
These are the only circumstances in which a claim can be lodged with an insurer under recent changes to the legislation.
So its really in your best interests to get some expert advice in relation to the most effective method to have the defects in your home repaired.
Contract Check offers building inspection services for owner builders. We provide independent reports which may be required by your bank or financier.
Our expertise offers you peace of mind as you undertake what can be very stressful at times. Should you be in dispute with one of your contractors then we can help to resolve issues as our inspectors are qualified and experienced mediators.
We can assist with design issues, compliance issues, quality control and trade co-ordination.
CONTRACT CHECK – Promoting Quality Building
BUILDER'S QUALITY CONTROL & AUDIT SYSTEMS
Contract check can assist builders to establish Quality Control Systems.
We undertake quality audits of your projects. This can highlight areas that require improvement and identify any repetitive defects. We have worked with some of Melbournes largest builders to refine their systems and ensure consistent quality is achieved on every project.
