Handovers
The Stage Inspection & Handover Programme
We're there to support you throughout your entire building process. We don't just list off the small decorative defects! At each step along the way, your inspector is there to assess that the work undertaken has been completed in a tradesmanlike fashion to a recognised standard, according to the Building Code of Australia, using appropriate materials.
The Programme Consists of 5 Separate Inspections
- Base Stage immediately before the slab is poured
- Frame Stage when the frame is complete but before internal wall linings are installed
- Lock-Up or Waterproofing Stage when the external windows and doors are installed, the roof is on and flashing complete. Waterproofing is completed but before tiling of showers, bathrooms or installation of shower trays
- Fixing or Pre-Painting Stage when construction is complete including cabinetry but before painting
- Handover or Practical Completion is a very detailed inspection when finished ground levels have been established.
You choose... you can tailor your programme to suit yourself. Select the whole programme or simply choose the inspections you're most worried about!
How Both You And Your Builder Both Benefit From ABIS Stage And Handover Inspections
For most people, building a home is an exciting but often challenging and stressful experience. There are so many things to consider and so many traps for the inexperienced.
This is made worse by the fact that, builders are increasingly challenged to deliver quality construction in an environment where we're all demanding more for less, where building costs are rising and there is a severe shortage of skilled, professional tradespeople.
As a result, even the most respected builders can have variations in quality and problems with quality control. Most builders are concerned that errors and poor workmanship and the cost of associated re-work, destroy not only their reputation, but also threatens the viability of their businesses.
So why do there appear to be so many disputes between builders and their clients? What goes wrong and how can these problems be avoided?
Problems facing clients and their builders can be grouped into three main types.
- Contractual issues i.e. the client's perception of what they will get for their money is different from what the builder plans to deliver for the agreed price.
- Quality of construction below either recognised standards or the client's expectations.
- Unpredictable events and defects cause by circumstances outside the builder's control (e.g. weather, failure of building products, timber pests, economic climate).
To manage these problems:
1. Contractual Issues
As a comprehensive, complete and unambiguous contract document is difficult to achieve and costly, it is essential that a good working relationship exist between client and builder to manage and align expectations and perceptions.
Clients need to fully understand their contract and talk to their builder about any grey areas. Builders need to ensure that your client fully understands what they are getting and specifically, what they are not getting, for the agreed price. Resolving any mismatches before work starts will avoid a lot of grief later.
2 Quality of construction
By involving ABIS as an independent and impartial Building Inspection Company throughout the whole construction process, problems can be detected early and corrected to avoid disputes and stress all round.
3. Unpredictable Events
Builders will allow for these events in their costing but it is also important that the clients appreciate that such events may happen and can adversely affect delivery dates.
ABIS believes that high standards and quality of construction can be consistently achieved and disputes and conflicts between clients and their builders greatly reduced if not eliminated by:
- Clients and builders ensuring right up front that there are no mismatches between what the client is expecting and what the builder is planning to deliver,
- Clients having ABIS conduct inspections during the construction of their home, on completion and at 6 months and 6 years after handover to assure quality. A good relation between client and builder will often lead to builders going that extra mile for clients when they wish to change their minds and to clients being more receptive to a builder's need to vary the construction to work around unforseen issues or problems.
Everyone benefits from this process.
Clients benefit from having an independent assessment of the progress and quality of work at each stage of construction so they can make stage payments with confidence.
Builders benefit from having the opportunity to correct defects or deviations from acceptable standards of quality at an early stage in the construction rather than later which can be more costly. And cash flow is improved as clients have confidence to pay stage payments promptly.
Having ABIS perform this function rather than the client requesting correction of problems also works better builder to builder because we're speaking the same language.
Shonky Builders
Undeniably, there are shonky builders but they can be avoided. Most builders want to be in business long term and are keen to maintain their reputations. For every horror story featured on the current affairs programmes there are thousands of satisfied clients.
For Clients, here are some recommendations for selecting a builder:
- Don't just rely on the display home. Get referrals. Talk to others about their experience with the builder and if possible, visit their home to see examples of the builder's work firsthand.
- Ensure the builder is licensed to build in your state and carries the necessary insurance to protect you. Most states have a government scheme to protect consumers.
- Have a solicitor help you negotiate the contract, and most importantly, ensure you and the builder clearly agree on what is to be built. Also ensure that the construction timeframes, both best and worst case, are acceptable to you.
- If you feel there may be a personality clash between you and your builder you should agree to use a different person to act in the liaison role and handle all negotiations.
- Have ABIS conduct stage inspections, the handover inspection and following handover, a 6 monthly inspection for maintenance items and 6 yearly inspections for structural problems.