Building Inspections: What You Need To Know

Building inspections are crucial when it comes to constructing a new building or even renovating an existing one. These inspections are extremely important for a number of reasons. For instance, building inspections will ensure that your building is structurally sound enough to be occupied upon completion. These inspections also seek to ensure that the structure complies with all the ordinances, building codes, or zoning laws.

If you have never sought building inspection services before, it's essential that you know a few things about the inspections to help avoid any issues that may later affect your budget or get you in trouble concerning compliance with any building codes or regulations in place. Therefore, read on to find out more about building inspections.

Who Does the Inspections?

Generally, certified building surveyors will carry out the inspections. However, most of the inspections are usually done by building inspectors who act on behalf of the building surveyors. There are multiple inspections that can be done on your building, which means there are several building inspectors carrying out building inspections. Home inspectors, mechanical inspectors, fire inspectors, plan examiners, and plumbing inspectors, just to name a few.

What's important here is how you hire the inspectors. You need to choose between hiring individual inspectors from different companies and simply going for a company specialising in all the inspections required. The latter is oftentimes the better option. This is basically because the coordination of inspections is likely to be much more efficient when all the inspectors are working for a single company.

When Are the Inspections Done?

Knowing when the building inspections are carried out will help you plan properly, especially concerning aspects such as your budget. Building inspections are usually done at different stages or phases of the construction. This is mandatory to ensure your building meets the required building codes.

Expect inspections to be done from the footing stage, which may include the excavation works, to the final stage where the completed building is inspected from top to bottom. Slab, framing, waterproofing, insulation, and electrical and plumbing installation inspections will also be done. Usually, your building permit should have all the inspections required.

Can You Move in Before the Inspections Are Finished?

A major concern for many homeowners is when to move in to their new homes. Usually, you can only move into the home or start using your building once you have an occupancy certificate, which is issued after all inspections are finalised. However, circumstances may force you to start using the building before the inspections are done.

Finalisation can take some time to ensure your building is up to the required standards. For such situations, you will need a temporary certificate. Find out from your local council or even building inspector where to apply for the temporary certificate. However, this temporary certificate will only be issued if the other inspections are finalised. Besides, you have to present your application after the final inspection is done.