This Inspection

This inspection is sometimes also called the Sixty Day Defects Liability Inspection. And sometimes it is longer.

It is how many days the builder gives you in his contract to see what needs fixing after the building is handed over.

Have doors come lose, either room doors, cupboards, cabinets and so on? Are mitres separating (which they will) and need gapping up? What other items have come lose? You will know many of these i you have lived there for ninety or sixty days.

We recommend to put in your contract the traditional ninety days, as that gives more time for timber to shrink, doors to pull away and so on. That means after it gets fixed, there may be less movement expected later.

There will be other things we will note here that we may see as well. Have downpipes come lose, stuck, and so on?

This is your last inspection. After this, all your maintenance is your own work from here on.

Extra Reading

There is more here on this Access Canberra page on how to resolve disputes.

“As soon as you identify an issue or have a concern, raise this with your builder in writing. Your builder should take steps to address your concerns. If the issues are not resolved and are about building or planning of a technical compliance nature, and construction is still underway talk to your building certifier and consider making a complaint to Access Canberra. The building certifier is appointed by the land owner and not the builder. They work in the interest of achieving compliance with the relevant building and planning laws.”

More Here

“If your concerns relate to your contract, such as issues with payments, quality of inclusions, or communication, you can contact:

• the Conflict Resolution Service
• ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• Access Canberra Fair Trading“

Full List of Building Stages

Also see more about the full list of building stages and contracts below. We would recommend five of those be inspected. The bigger the house the more inspections we recommend you have.

     Your Building Contract

     Slab Inspection

…..Frame Inspection

…..Facade Inspection

…..Roof Inspection

…..Lock Up Inspection

…..Pre Lining Inspection

…..Fixing and Fit Off Inspection

…..Practical Completion Inspection

…..Ninety Day Defect Liability Inspection

We hope this page helps you.

Written by: Nick Broadhurst, building inspector, registered Class A Builder, Bach. Arch. UWA. For more information on Nick: SEE HERE