In this inspection
The purpose
Start with the foundations.
An inspection at the agreed slab stage records visible conditions while the relevant work remains accessible. Timing is important: checks before a concrete pour have a different scope from checks of a completed slab.
Agree the inspection point before the pour
A pre-pour visit is a time-sensitive opportunity to review exposed work. A post-pour visit instead concerns the visible completed slab. These visits answer different questions, so naming the stage alone is not enough: confirm exactly what will be exposed and when the builder intends to continue.
What your slab inspection covers
- Accessible formwork and slab preparation at the agreed stage
- Visible reinforcement and service penetrations where exposed
- Visible slab finish and defects when inspecting after the pour
- Items that require clarification against the supplied plans
Before and after the concrete pour
Before the pour, formwork, reinforcement and some service details may still be visible. Once concrete is placed, these elements are concealed. An inspection of the completed slab therefore has a different scope and cannot retrospectively confirm all of the preparation beneath it.
Provide the planned pour date and relevant drawings when enquiring. The builder should confirm when the work is ready and how safe access will be provided.
Plan ahead
When to book a slab inspection
Contact us before the pour or stage completion. Confirm the inspection point with your builder before arranging attendance.
Before the visit
Preparing for your slab inspection
- 01
Provide relevant slab drawings and the proposed pour date.
- 02
Have the builder confirm the preparation is ready for the agreed inspection.
- 03
Advise us if the programme changes before attendance.
Your inspection report
A photographic record of the accessible work and findings to raise with your builder before the next stage.
Confirm the proposed inspection point with your builder before the concrete pour. The ACT Government building contract guide explains construction stages, progress payments and the role of a certifier.
Standalone stage inspection: $497 + GST. Subsequent package inspection: $397 + GST. View pricing & conditions.
The inspection is visual and limited to the agreed scope and areas that are safe and reasonably accessible. We confirm the scope and any relevant access arrangements before attendance.
A common question
Can a finished slab inspection confirm the reinforcement?
Reinforcement concealed by concrete cannot be visually assessed retrospectively. The report records what was accessible at the time and any limitations relevant to the agreed inspection point.
Explore the inspection stages
Pre-pour and post-pour checks answer different questions
Before concrete is placed, the position of exposed reinforcement, its supports and nearby formwork can be reviewed against the supplied details. The required concrete cover depends on the design and conditions; there is no single cover measurement for every slab.
After the pour, exposed edges may reveal damaged areas or steel left visible once formwork is removed. Flag these promptly for the builder to assess and agree the repair method. A completed-slab visit cannot establish the position of reinforcement concealed inside the concrete.
A clear next step
Let’s take a
closer look.
Tell us about your property and what you need to know. We’ll help you arrange the right inspection.
info@canberrabuildinginspections.com
Canberra · Queanbeyan · Googong
Bungendore · Yass & surrounding areas