Stage 1 - Slab / Footings
Reinforcement, slab thickness, vapour barrier, set-out, levels, drainage cut-ins. Once the slab is poured, mistakes are very expensive.
AS 4349.0
Staged Building Inspections Adelaide
Independent eyes at every critical construction stage of your Adelaide build. Slab, frame, lock-up, fix-out, and practical completion - five inspection points where defects are cheap to fix and expensive to ignore.
Standard
AS 4349.0
On site
1.5 to 2 hours per stage
Report
48 hours per stage report
WHAT'S COVERED
A staged inspections to the standard covers this scope.
To the AS 4349.0 standard. Inspector-specific scopes may extend further, so check the scope in your quote.
Stage 2 - Frame
Frame to engineer's specifications, bracing, tie-downs, structural timber grade, window and door framing, roof truss install.
Stage 3 - Lock-up (pre-line)
Cladding, roof complete, windows installed, plumbing rough-in, electrical rough-in, insulation before plaster goes on.
Stage 4 - Fix-out
Joinery, kitchen, doors, internal trim, wet area tiling, paint preparation. Catches workmanship before final coats.
Stage 5 - Practical completion
Full handover inspection. Defect list for builder remediation before final payment.
AS 4349.0
General Building Inspection Standard
Each stage report is AS 4349.0 compliant. Reports can be used in builder negotiations, statutory warranty claims, and dispute resolution.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Adelaide-specific case for this inspection.
The earlier a defect is identified, the cheaper it is to fix. A frame issue caught at stage 2 is a small remediation. The same issue caught at handover can be tens of thousands of dollars and weeks of delay.
Many new-build defects are hidden by subsequent stages. A slab issue is invisible once the frame goes up. A plumbing rough-in error is invisible once the plaster goes on.
Independent staged inspections give you written, photographic evidence at each stage - which the builder must address before progress payments are released.
GET MATCHED
A free quote from a local inspector.
Brief us once and we'll pass it to a local independent inspector. Matching is free.
FAQ
Staged Inspections questions Adelaide buyers ask.
Does staging slow down the build?+
No, if scheduled in advance. Inspectors attend within 24 to 48 hours of stage completion. Builders accustomed to staged inspections plan around them.
Do I have to do all five stages?+
No. The most common combinations are slab + frame + handover (3-stage) or all five (5-stage). The bigger the build cost, the more stages typically make sense.
What if the builder refuses to allow independent inspections?+
Most building contracts allow independent inspections. If your contract is unclear, your conveyancer can clarify before signing. A builder refusing reasonable independent inspection is a warning sign.
Get a free quote from a local inspector
Two minutes to brief us. We pass your enquiry to a local independent Adelaide inspector. No agent referrals. The matching service is free.