Most of us don’t book scheduled building inspections because the bank told US to.
We do them because once the concrete’s poured or the plaster’s up, we’re basically negotiating with a jackhammer.
Slab Stage… Before It’s Too Late to Argue With Concrete
Your first scheduled building inspection during construction should happen before the slab gets poured. It should be during steel placement, edge beams, and the vapour barrier. Or even termite treatment.
Many assume “the engineer signed off, so it’s fine.”
Yes, maybe. But did you know that steel can actually shift between engineering drawings and the actual pour day? Chairs get nudged, and bar laps end up shorter than specified. And even penetrations aren’t sealed the way they should be.
Once the slab cures, most of us don't lift it to check. So we just book the inspection after the formwork and steel are in… and before the truck arrives.
Look, if it’s about to be buried forever, inspect it now. Like NOW!
Frame Stage
The frame stage is where builders move fast, too fast sometimes.
This is when your roof trusses go up, wall frames are locked in, and even tie-downs are installed. It all looks impressively tall. And solid.
But the frame stage inspection is heavy on compliance with the framing code. Nail plate positioning, bracing layout. Correct truss connections and bolt spacing. Moisture damage if it’s rained and the timber's been sitting too long.
Those minor frame deviations become major plaster cracks twelve months later.
And by then, you’re arguing about "settlement".
So yes, schedule it once the frame is complete, but before insulation and internal linings hide everything.
Lock-Up Stage
Lock-up feels like progress. I mean… doors on, windows in, external cladding done.
People often relax here. But you shouldn’t.
Lock-up stage scheduled building inspections help with weatherproofing and installation standards. Flashings around windows, sarking integrity. Weep holes are not blocked, and even roofing penetrations are sealed properly.
Adelaide’s not gentle on poorly flashed roofs. You know that.
Before plasterboard goes on, your electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins are exposed.
This is the time to inspect service penetrations through framing, pipe support spacing, correct fall on drains, and waterproofing preparation in wet areas.
Did you know that after plaster, you’re trusting that what’s behind the wall is fine?
Maybe it is. But if you’re already investing in independent inspections, skipping this stage is like locking your car and leaving the boot open.
Waterproofing Stage
Bathrooms and wet areas fail more often than structural elements.
Incorrect membrane coverage, no upturn at junctions. Poor bond at corners.
You won’t see the failure immediately, but you’ll smell it later.
If your builder lets you check things before the tiles go down, take that chance. Waterproofing is one of those things you really want to see before it’s hidden away.
So when’s the right time to book an inspection? For most Adelaide builds, the stages usually include slab pre-pour, frame completion, lock-up, pre-plaster (if you can access it), waterproofing (if possible), and, finally, handover.
You don’t need to add extra steps—just make sure you’re checking early enough that any issues can still be fixed without stress. That’s the whole point of scheduled building inspections: catching problems while there’s still time, not filling out more paperwork.
One last thing.
People treat inspections like a box to tick. Inspections aren’t a box to tick.
They’re staged opportunities to protect your leverage while the build is still fluid.
After that, it’s negotiation, and negotiation costs more than prevention.
Quick Note:
You probably noticed this didn’t read like a blog.
It’s just straight talk, timeline-focused, second-person, and slightly blunt. That’s intentional. It keeps it human. Keep it, Adelaide.
Anyway.
That’s when you book them. The rest is up to you.
