Why this one step can save you thousands on your home build

This article is advertiser content from Structerre Consulting

Building a home is for many people the single biggest investment they’ll make in their lifetime. But any investment is not without its risks, and building a home is no different. 

There are many stages to any home build and non-compliant issues can occur in any of these stages. In fact, it is overwhelmingly common that non-compliant issues do arise. 

The most important thing when you build your dream home is that it serves as a safe haven for your family. A structurally unsound home poses serious risk to your well-being and the safety of your family. 

But non-compliant issues can also mean huge unforeseen costs down the line. Not only can it mean expensive replacements after just a few years, it can also pose a serious risk to your home’s resale value. 

The best way to avoid all of these issues is to get an independent building inspection to ensure any defects are found early, noted transparently and fixed promptly, all before the keys – and the liability – is handed over.

Building inspectors are thorough, trained professionals who can find issues you may not have considered. But not all building inspectors are created equal, and quality does matter. 

Structerre Consulting are a team of experienced engineers and professionals who conduct site investigations, compliance inspections and provide construction advice. 

“Non compliant issues occur in almost every residential construction we inspect,” says Structerre engineer Sam Rees.

“The majority of these are minor issues which are easily remedied, but occasional they are large structural issues. The additional inspection by an outside party often identifies issues missed by the supervisor on site.”

One of the most common issues is the non-compliance of standard stick roof construction. It’s a significant issue raised by a recent building commission report, which found the majority of roofs constructed did not comply to current industry standards. 

The risk of an incorrectly applied roof is more than the short life span of the structure, and costs associated with replacing it. A roof that does not comply with industry standards lowers the value of the home for resale and could even prove dangerous for your family. 

“As consulting engineers, the team at Structerre are uniquely positioned in terms of providing a certification of the roof,” Sam says.

“A building inspector, being less qualified, can only refer to their own experience and Australian Standards. As leaders in the field, engineers at Structerre can assess the building as constructed using specialist analysis, to ensure the method is sufficient even if it does not comply directly with the Australian standard.”

Structerre Consulting inspect everything from pre-pour slab mesh for the ground slab, to wall framing, to roof framing and more. A qualified expert engineer spends an hour combing through your building site and issues a comprehensive report to you within two working days. 

It’s peace of mind for you and your family, allowing you to handle any hurdles of your build with the confidence an independent, professional report gives you. 

But, as inspections are not mandated yet, anyone can do them. This poses real risk for the quality of the reporting for your home and your family. That’s why it’s important that a qualified engineer inspects your home. 

“Having an engineer on site, with a university degree, is certainly a more qualified assessor,” Sam says.

“In addition, both engineers in the Bunbury Office have obtained Chartered Status from Engineers Australia, which is an accreditation to act ethically and within competency.”

Once the results from your inspection are in, you’re able to hold your trades to account. A comprehensive report from an engineering consultancy will ensure all issues are dealt with promptly, giving you peace of mind for your family and your wallet. 

“And if required, we can re-inspect the site to ensure the fixes have been completed sufficiently. That gives you an assurance that your house is up to standard and ready to be called home,” Sam says. 

This article is advertiser content from Structerre Consulting