Cap-It-All Building Inspections

Employing an independent building inspector to inspect your Builder’s work can be beneficial for all parties involved.

If you ask two friends who built with the same Builder about their experience regarding quality of the build, one may tell you it was wonderful, and the next may tell you they had a terrible experience. There are many variables involved in the building process that can affect satisfaction of the client. Employing the right Building Inspector can assist in the following ways:

Your home will be built in compliance with the Building Codes of Australia, Australian Standards and manufacturer’s recommendations.
A good building inspector will obtain copies of all plans and engineering details for your new home to ensure the property is being built in compliance with the details specified within the plans and signed off by an engineer. You’d be surprised how often discrepancies exist (see the Building Commission’s audit into timber framed, metal clad roofs where the high majority of roofs had areas of non-compliance).

Defective work will be rectified by the Builder in a timely manner.
If the Builder is given evidence as to WHY work is non-compliant, they are more likely to rectify these issues in a timely manner. If an Australian Standard or Building Code is referenced within the Building Report, the Builder can see that if a dispute is lodged via Building Commission you will have a strong case, and they risk being fined for inadequate supervision as well as being given an order to rectify the non-compliant work. The building supervisor will also know that your inspector will be back to inspect again at the next building stage, and that the non-compliant work will be re-inspected to ensure it has been adequately rectified.

You’ll have an expert you can trust working for you, leaving no questions unanswered.
Any query related to your build, big or small, can be answered by your experienced inspector. Your inspector is there to offer peace of mind so you know your new home is being built right, and you don’t experience any costly or time-consuming issues in years to come after you’ve moved in.

From building designers, to engineers, to salespeople/consultants, to supervisors, to tradespeople, unfortunately mistakes are made throughout the process of building a new home. Employing an independent building inspector is important if you want your new home built in compliance with all codes and standards and to a high level of workmanship.

If you have any queries regarding how Cap-It-All Building Inspections can WORK FOR YOU, call Charlotte on 9405 8710 or email enquiries@cap-it-allbuildinginspections.com.au.

When buying, selling or refinancing real estate or property, various inspections are required to determine the
condition of the property, indicate problem areas and assess the value. These inspections can be costly, and
often, more than one type of inspection report is required. When this is necessary, some property owners will contact a specialist for each inspection. While this is one way to get it done, what some people don’t know is that if you find the right company, you can tick off multiple inspections at the same time. In most cases, this will save you time and money while resulting in a more thorough report.

If you’re thinking about an inspection, check with your local legal guidelines to see what needs inspection, and what the regulations are. Here are a few general tips on home inspections to get you started.

One Inspection Saves Time

Time can often be critical in real estate transactions. There are many steps required to ensure that everyone’s
interests are protected and that the deal goes through fairly. Inspections can be incredibly time consuming, when scheduled with individual inspectors. From scheduling the actual visits, to staying on top of receiving reports,
using one inspector can save a lot of your valuable time.

One Inspector Means a More thorough Inspection

Inspectors can rush inspections, or be so focussed on their one area of expertise, that other items get
overlooked. At Cap-It-All, our inspectors have a wide range of building knowledge, meaning they are more likely to catch potential problems, and understand how they relate to the other parts and systems of your property.

No need to compare inspection reports and cross reference inspectors to get the whole picture

With one inspector, you’ll know the whole picture from general building, to timber to pests. If there are questions, an expert inspector can help you understand the entire analysis, instead of placing three or more calls to get
further insight. This can help you get a clearer picture of the condition of  your property and your options to
address problems and repairs that need to be made.

Inspection Prices Will Be Discounted

As only one visit to the property is necessary to conduct both inspections, this allows Cap-It-All to provide clients with a discounted, bundled price to carry out both inspections. You can save up to $220 for having all your Pre-Purchase Inspections carried out by Cap-It-All Building Inspections.

At Cap-it-All Building Inspections, our inspectors are experts in multiple fields and can often handle all of your
inspection needs in one visit. In addition to the convenience of only dealing with one company for your
inspections, there are several other benefits to property owners, or buyers, in using a single inspection service.

If you’re ready to get an inspection, contact us today! Cap-It-All guarantees a thorough inspections, efficient
turnaround, and affordable rate every time.

While the construction of a backyard deck is well within the skills of many home owners, knowing the ins and outs can help you avoid costly and time consuming mistakes. You’ll want to carefully examine your options in location, local building codes, and materials before you proceed.

Before you set out building the deck of your dreams, here are the things you should be considering.

Locating Your Deck

If local building codes and conditions allow, attaching a deck to, or positioning it next to your home, or main structure is ideal. This allows the deck to be accessed from inside, making the transport of furniture, food, and other items simple and convenient.

• The slope, or any drop from the floor level of the structure to the deck should be considered and appropriate steps designed for safety.
• Large plantings, such as trees and shrubs may be best removed or relocated.
• You’ll want to locate your deck on solid ground and provide adequate footings. Make sure the location you choose allows for that.

Local Building Codes

Building codes are primarily concerned with safety, but in some cases may also address the aesthetics of your structure. You’ll need to check with appropriate government offices in your area to find out if permits are required and any specific regulations there may be. All decks and balconies built in Australia must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), which provides the current requirements for new building work throughout Australia. Check out NCC resources here.

Here are some general guidelines:

• Even without codes, framing should be sized and spaced similar to house flooring to ensure safe and sturdy use that will last.
• Rails will need to be installed on decks with more than a 10 inch drop from edge to ground level, in most cases. Rail height and support spacing is also typically regulated.
• Stair size, placement and safety rails should be considered. Building codes can provide specifics on minimums, but your goal should be to provide safety and convenience beyond this if necessary.

Materials

Your local codes may require specific materials, but in general, this is left up to the owner.

• Wood decks are simple and beautiful to build, but require more maintenance. Be sure to calculate the cost in time and money.
• Composite decking materials incorporate permanent color and typically require less frequent repairs.
• Be sure to thoroughly compare costs before deciding, as material choice can increase your budget drastically.

Moisture

While building inspection should take all aspects into consideration, no matter the time of year, there are some factors that are easier to focus on with Spring’s arrival. If you are considering a sale or purchase, here are some potential problem areas you should address with your inspector and may want to seek professional assistance with to make your sale, or purchase go more smoothly.

One of the most damaging forces of nature is water and in the Spring, problems with leaking, standing water or bad drainage are more evident than at other times of year. It’s best to make these inspections when water is present to better assess the scope of the issue.

• After a good rain, examine ceilings and walls for signs of leakage. Flaking of paint or plaster indicates leaking.
• Check along the foundation line as well. Here, discoloration of concrete, or beams, will indicate that water has been present. Spongy, soft wood components are experiencing fungal decay and should cause concern.
• Focus on areas where water stands for more than an hour or so, as they can cause problems. Standing water leads to leaks and decay.
• Excessive moisture causes a condition conducive to termite attack. Remember wet or soft timber is heaven for termites.

Plants

Spring awakens the trees and kicks all the other plants back into gear too, so watch for issues with the flora surrounding your property.

• Trees, or tall shrubs encroaching into gutters should be trimmed.
• Vines can cause damage to the property if not properly maintained.
• Some tree and shrub roots cause foundation damage if grown too close to structures.