A critical stage inspection should be a short, routine visit. When the site is not ready, it turns into a failed inspection, a re-booking and a stalled program. A little preparation before the certifier arrives makes a big difference.
Book with enough notice
NSW law requires whoever is carrying out the work, the builder or an owner-builder, to give the principal certifier at least 48 hours' notice before each inspection. We ask for the same. When you book an inspection, include:
- the site address and approval number
- the stage to be inspected
- the name and phone number of the person who will be on site
- anything the certifier should know, such as access arrangements or a locked gate
Only book once the work will genuinely be ready. Booking ahead of the work and hoping the trades finish in time is a common cause of wasted visits.
Have the right documents on site
The certifier compares what is built with the approval, so the approval needs to be on hand. Keep these in a folder or on a tablet:
- the stamped approved plans plus the approval conditions
- the current engineering drawings, with the revision that was approved
- any certificates relevant to the stage, such as an engineer's inspection report or product details for a waterproofing membrane
- details of any change from the plans, so it can be discussed before the inspection starts
Stage-by-stage checks
Each stage has its own trouble spots. Before calling the certifier, walk the site with these in mind:
- Excavation. Trenches or pier holes dug to the depth and size on the engineer's design, loose spoil cleaned out, and set-out pegs still in place.
- Reinforcement before concrete. Steel tied and sitting on bar chairs with the right cover, laps as detailed, plus any vapour barrier, termite measures and edge forms in place.
- Frame before covering. Bracing, tie-downs, lintels and connections complete, with no insulation or linings installed yet.
- Wet areas before tiling. Membrane finished and cured, with turn-ups, corners and floor wastes all visible.
- Stormwater before backfilling. Pipes and connections to pits, tanks or the street exposed along their length.
- Pool barrier. Fence and gates fully installed, gates that close and latch automatically, and nothing climbable left near the barrier.
Make access safe
A certifier cannot inspect what they cannot safely reach. Ladders should be secured, scaffolding complete and edge protection in place on upper levels. Deep trenches may need battering or shoring. Pets should be secured and gates unlocked. If part of the site is unsafe, that part may need to be inspected on a second visit.
Have someone on site who knows the job
The builder or site supervisor should be there to answer questions and point out details. Their presence often lets small queries be settled on the spot instead of by email afterwards.
After the visit
The certifier makes a written record of each inspection and whether the work was satisfactory. Do not cover the work until it has passed. If items are noted, fix them and confirm with the certifier how they want the fix verified. Our guide on Failed an inspection? What happens next covers that in more detail.
For a full list of the stages that apply to houses, outbuildings and pools, see our critical stage inspections page.
Local help across NSW
CertifiBuild certifies Class 1 and Class 10 work in 39 council areas. Local rules on these council pages are a good place to start: Central Coast Council, City of Canada Bay, Kiama Municipal Council, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, Randwick City Council, Liverpool City Council.
Suburb pages with local planning notes: Chifley, Chipping Norton, Concord, Drummoyne, Five Dock, Kiama Heights, Mannering Park, Patonga, Revesby, Rodd Point. You can also browse every service area.
Sources
- Development Certification & Fire Safety Regulation 2021, as made (legislation.nsw.gov.au)
- Role of certifiers explained, nsw.gov.au