FRAME STAGE INSPECTIONS

Frame stage inspections are typically completed before the roof is fitted and fixed in position, before the external walls are constructed or fixed to the frame and before the plasterboard is fixed to the frame.

As outlined in Section 40 of the Domestic Building Contracts and Tribunal Act 1995:
‘Frame stage’ means the stage when a home’s frame is completed and approved by a building surveyor’.

It is important to note that the selection of the building surveyor is still influenced by the builder. The surveyor is therefore not completely independent. The frame stage inspections conducted by Finalinspect are completely independent and significantly more thorough than those conducted by surveying firms who are often employed by builders to carry out multiple basic, quick frame stage inspections on several hundred homes each year.

We thoroughly check the frame against the relevant building plans and specifications, the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian standards (e.g. AS 1684.2 – 1999 Residential timber – framed construction).

Finalinspect uses a comprehensive inspection checklist that has been progressively refined and updated over many years. At the frame stage, Finalinspect closely inspects and checks a wide range of items including but not limited to the following:

• The height of all ceilings and room sizes are thoroughly checked against the relevant building plan. Highly accurate laser measuring devices are used by Finalinspect to check all measurements.
• Correct alignment and fixing of the frame to the concrete slab and / or base brickwork and stumps / brick piers.
• All sections of the frame are checked to ensure that the frame is level, plumb, straight and square and all bracing has been correctly installed.
• All sections of the frame are adequately fixed together.
• All fascia boards, bargeboards and gutters are correctly aligned and fixed in position.
• There is no damage to the window and door frames.
• Adequate space is provided above the window frames to allow for movement.
• All sections of the roof trusses are correctly installed and adequately braced.
• Timber / particleboard flooring is level, properly fixed and does not move or squeak.
• The concrete slab has not been damaged (e.g. cracks in the slab and chips out of the slab).
• The insulation wrap around the frame has not been torn (this can only be inspected before the plasterboard is fitted to the frame inside the home).
• The correct location of plumbing waste outlets.
• The shower bases for correct installation.
• Finalinspect will also flag all other defects around the house at the time of this inspection even though they do not strictly form part of the frame stage works.  The benefit is that all defects around the house are highlighted earlier rather than at the later stages of construction. The earlier that building defects are identified and brought to the attention of the builder, the quicker and more cost effectively they can usually be rectified.

If you would like to talk to us about Frame Stage Inspections or would like to arrange a completely independent Frame Stage Inspection, call us now on 0408 132 152.