Building & renovating
New-building inspections
Independent inspections you commission at stages of your new home's construction, so you have your own record of the work as it progresses. They are separate from the mandatory inspections carried out for the building permit and do not replace them.
Illustration. Not an actual property or real inspection work.
- People building a new home with a builder, including knock-down rebuilds.
- Owners who want an independent record of the work at key stages.
- Investors overseeing a build they can't visit often.
- Inspections at the stages you choose. Commonly requested stages include slab or base, frame, lock-up, fixing, and completion or handover.
- Visible, accessible building work at the stage being inspected.
- Observations about the visible quality of the work, and items you may want to raise with your builder.
- If completion is one of your stages, the last inspection looks through the accessible areas of the finished home. On its own, that check is our new construction and handover inspection.
- A written report for each stage inspected, describing what was observed at that time.
- Photos supporting key observations.
- A clear note of what wasn't visible or accessible at that stage.
- A plain-language explanation from VicWide to help you discuss items with your builder.
Share your building contract's stage definitions and your builder's program, if you have them.
Have the plans and specifications for the build available.
Check your contract and arrange site access with your builder ahead of each inspection.
Let us know as early as possible when a stage is approaching, as building programs can change.
Tell us about any specific concerns you'd like looked at.
Can’t see your question? Send an enquiry and we’ll come back to you.
More detail
More about new-building inspections
How it works
Send an enquiry with the build address, your builder's program if you have it, and the stages you're interested in. We confirm the scope and provide a quote. As each stage approaches, you let us know and access is arranged with your builder. Each inspection looks at the visible work at that stage and is followed by a written report.
Stage inspections or a handover inspection
Stage inspections follow the build, with a report for each stage you choose, and completion can be your last stage. If you only need a check of the finished home before you take possession, choose new construction & handover inspections instead.
Independent inspections and mandatory inspections
The building permit for your home sets out mandatory inspections at stages of the work. These are carried out by, or on behalf of, the relevant building surveyor, and they are part of the permit process.
An independent stage inspection is different. You commission it for your own information, to have your own record of the work. It doesn't form part of the permit process, it doesn't replace any mandatory inspection, and it doesn't change your builder's responsibilities.
After each stage
Read the report, starting with what was and wasn't accessible, then raise any items with your builder. Keep each report with your contract and other build records. If you're unsure what an item means or how to raise it, ask us to explain it in plain language.
Learn with VicWide
Showing 3 topics
Inspections
Which inspection do I actually need?
Pre-purchase, strata, new-build and specialist inspections each suit a different need: buying a house or an apartment, building, or looking into a concern such as cracking, damp or older materials. This topic explains what each type looks at, when people usually arrange it, and how to describe your situation so we can suggest the right scope.
Key points 7
- Buying a house: a pre-purchase inspection looks at its visible condition and for signs of timber pest activity. For a home you already own, choose building and pest.
- Buying an apartment, unit or townhouse: a strata report covers the lot and the common property you can access, with help reading the owners corporation papers.
- Building: independent stage and handover inspections are checks you choose, separate from the mandatory inspections for the building permit.
- A specific concern: structural, mould and asbestos inspections look at visible cracking or movement, visible mould and signs of moisture, or materials that may contain asbestos.
- Pools and land: pool barrier inspections focus on the barrier, gates and fences. Land inspections look at the block, its site features and its surrounds.
- Before nearby works: a dilapidation report is a dated, photo-supported record of visible condition.
- If you're unsure, describe the property and the decision you're facing, and we'll help you choose.
Related service: Pre-purchase inspections
Inspections
How do I read an inspection report?
An inspection report records what was observed at the time of the inspection, where it was observed, and what couldn't be inspected. This topic walks through a typical report structure and how to use it when you talk with builders, agents or other advisers.
Key points 5
- A report describes observations at the time of the inspection. Conditions can change afterwards.
- Read the scope and limitations first, so you know what was and wasn't inspected.
- Observations are grouped by area, so you can find what matters to your decision.
- A report is not a certificate of compliance, a warranty or an insurance policy.
- If something isn't clear, ask us to explain it in plain language.
Related service: Compliance & reporting
Building
What should I ask while my new home is being built?
Building a new home involves several construction stages, a building permit, and a builder who remains responsible for the work. This topic explains how independent stage inspections sit alongside the mandatory inspections for the building permit, and which questions are worth asking along the way.
Key points 5
- Mandatory inspections for the building permit are carried out by, or on behalf of, the relevant building surveyor.
- Independent stage inspections are ones you choose to commission. They don't replace the mandatory inspections.
- Commonly requested stages include slab or base, frame, lock-up, fixing, and completion or handover.
- Check your building contract for how each stage is defined and how you'll be told a stage is reached.
- Your builder remains responsible for the building work, whatever inspections you commission.
Related service: New-building inspections
Ready when you are
Enquire about new-building inspections
Tell us about the property. We confirm the scope and a quote with you before anything is arranged.