BUILD WITH INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
New Home & Construction Stage Inspections Melbourne
Building a new home? Arrange independent checks at agreed stages, from pre-pour and frame to pre-plaster and handover. BI&C helps you understand visible workmanship concerns before the next stage covers them.
Send your property address, current stage and next scheduled work date. We’ll confirm scope, availability and fees.
Your own inspector at the stages that matter
A new build changes quickly. Once concrete is poured, linings are installed or tiles are laid, important details may no longer be visible. Plan independent inspections around those construction windows rather than waiting until handover.
Book one stage or discuss a sequence of visits with BI&C. Each inspection is a scheduled assessment of the accessible work within an agreed scope; it is not continuous site supervision.
Before work is concealed
Identify visible concerns while relevant areas remain accessible, so you can raise them with the builder.
Clear findings to discuss
Understand the observations, limitations and any further specialist assessment recommended.
A plan for your build
Agree visits around the construction programme, access and your priorities.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT INSPECTION WINDOW
Construction stage inspections: from pre-pour to handover
The visits below are common inspection opportunities, not a universal list of mandatory inspections or contract payment stages. The right sequence depends on your design, building programme and agreed scope.
01 · BEFORE CONCRETE
Pre-pour slab & footings
Book before the concrete pour, while reinforcement and relevant details remain visible. The agreed inspection can review accessible preparation, reinforcement and service penetrations against available project documents.
When to book: Send the planned pour date early. A pre-pour visit is different from checking a completed base stage.
02 · EXPOSED STRUCTURE
Frame stage inspection
Arrange a visit while the structural frame is exposed. Accessible framing, connections, bracing and visible workmanship can be assessed against the agreed scope and available plans.
When to book: Confirm the frame will be ready and accessible before booking.
Have ready: The site address, builder’s expected frame completion date, approved plans and any relevant engineering drawings. Confirm that the builder has agreed access and that the framing will remain exposed. If the visit is delayed until after linings are installed, parts of the frame may no longer be assessable.
03 · BEFORE LININGS
Lock-up & pre-plaster
Review accessible framing and service rough-ins before wall and ceiling linings conceal them. The visit may identify visible workmanship issues or items needing further specialist assessment.
When to book: Lock-up and pre-plaster timing varies. Share the builder’s programme so the right inspection window can be agreed.
04 · BEFORE TILING
Waterproofing inspection
Accessible wet-area waterproofing can be reviewed before tiles or finishes conceal it. Confirm the membrane system, readiness and inspection scope with BI&C.
When to book: This may require a separate visit. Concealed work cannot be assessed through finished tiles.
05 · INTERNAL FIT-OUT
Fixing stage inspection
Accessible doors, joinery, trims and other installed finishes can be reviewed for visible defects and incomplete work within the agreed scope.
When to book: Ask which work should be complete for your fixing-stage visit.
06 · BEFORE HANDOVER
PCI & handover inspection
A practical completion inspection reviews accessible finished areas for visible defects, incomplete items and workmanship concerns to discuss with your builder.
When to book: Book when the home is sufficiently complete. This inspection does not issue an occupancy permit or certify completion.
What your inspection report helps you understand
BI&C’s agreed inspection scope can include accessible workmanship and visible defects, considered alongside relevant approved plans, engineering details and specifications supplied for the project.
- Observations from the areas inspected
- Supporting photographs where relevant
- Access restrictions and other inspection limitations
- Items to discuss with the builder or refer for specialist advice
Confirm report format and turnaround before booking. A report records conditions at the inspection time; it cannot guarantee every defect will be found or verify concealed work.
Independent checks and mandatory inspections
Your relevant building surveyor manages the statutory permit and mandatory inspection process. BI&C’s owner-commissioned stage inspection is a separate service and does not replace those inspections, permit conditions or required approvals.
For official guidance, see Consumer Affairs Victoria’s building progress guidance and the BPC’s explanation of the building surveyor’s role.
If your question concerns a permit, explore building permit services.
How to arrange your new home inspection
1. Share your build details
Send the address, builder’s programme, current stage and next work date. Tell us whether you need one visit, several stages or a handover inspection.
2. Confirm scope & access
We’ll discuss the inspection, documents, fees and availability. Arrange access with your builder, including site safety requirements, before the visit.
3. Review the findings
Use the report to discuss observed issues and next steps with your builder. Ask about follow-up or reinspection if needed; separate fees may apply.
Have these ready: property address, expected stage date, relevant approved drawings, engineering details and specifications where available. Notify BI&C if the schedule changes. Seek legal advice before withholding a progress payment.
Stage inspections across Melbourne’s northern growth areas
Building in Craigieburn, Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Wollert, Epping, Sunbury, Wallan or Kilmore? Send the property address and stage date so we can confirm availability for your site.
We also welcome enquiries from nearby Beveridge, Greenvale, Roxburgh Park, Mernda, Doreen and Diggers Rest. Coverage and travel arrangements are confirmed with your quote.
See our service areas for wider Melbourne coverage. Buying an established home instead? Choose pre-purchase building inspections for that different inspection purpose.
Request a quote for one stage or a planned series
There is no single fee that suits every build. The price depends on property size and design, location, the stage to be inspected, available documents, access and the number of visits.
Tell us what is happening next on site. BI&C can discuss a suitable scope and provide a property-specific quote, including report timing and any optional reinspection.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
New home inspection questions
Can I book just one construction stage?
Yes. Tell BI&C your address, current stage and next scheduled work date. A single visit or a series of stage inspections can be discussed, with scope, fees and availability confirmed before booking.
When should I book a pre-pour or frame inspection?
Contact BI&C as soon as the builder provides an expected date. These checks depend on work being ready, safely accessible and still visible. Let us know promptly if the programme changes.
Does an independent inspector replace the building surveyor?
No. Mandatory inspections and statutory approvals remain with the relevant building surveyor and the permit process. Owner-commissioned inspections provide additional observations under a separately agreed scope.
Can you inspect a new home in Melbourne’s northern suburbs?
Send the property address for confirmation. Priority enquiry areas include Craigieburn, Mickleham, Kalkallo, Donnybrook, Wollert, Epping, Sunbury, Wallan and Kilmore, with surrounding areas considered according to availability.
How much do new home stage inspections cost?
See our inspection cost guide. Fees depend on the property, location, stage, documents, access and number of visits. Request a written quote for one stage or a planned series. Confirm what is included, any reinspection fees and report timing before booking.
What if defects are found or an earlier stage was missed?
The report can identify visible concerns and recommended next steps within the agreed scope. Discuss findings with your builder; specialist assessment or a reinspection may be appropriate. Earlier concealed work cannot be verified retrospectively through finished surfaces. Obtain legal advice before withholding a progress payment.
What is included in a handover inspection?
The agreed inspection reviews accessible finished areas for visible defects and incomplete work. Share the builder’s completion date and relevant documents. A handover report is separate from the occupancy permit, final statutory inspection and any legal advice about settlement or payment.
Know what is visible before the next stage
Start with your property address and your builder’s next scheduled work date. We’ll help you discuss the appropriate inspection stage.