How Are Building Inspectors And Building Certifiers Different?

Are you planning to build a new home?

If you are, you can count on the fact that you will have to deal with a lot of things at a time.

Building a home may seem like an overwhelming project, especially if this is your first time, because you have to know and follow all the extensive standards and building codes of Australia!

You may feel confused about who to contact and even how to contact them for specific purposes relating to building your home. There are so many professionals and trades people involved in the process that you may not have a clear picture of who does what.

The most common misunderstanding home builders have is understanding the differences between the roles of building inspector and building certifier.  Read on to find out the clear differences between the two.

The role of Building Inspectors …

When the building is being inspected, the inspector will only examine the current condition of the property visually. He will compare the building with different properties of almost same age, structure, and design. Hence, the inspection of the building has nothing to do with its valuation, warranty or insurance policy.

A building inspector can neither clear nor reject a property. His only job is to bring to your notice the quality and satisfactory completion of building work. He can tell you whether the building work is completed to recognised and satisfactory standards or not.

What’s more, his report to you includes things like incomplete work, inappropriate materials, omissions or non-structural defects which can contribute to overall structural issues.

Therefore, building inspectors help you make a well-informed property decision by warning you about the visible defects and their severity. He will recommend to you a course of action that aims to help you avoid trouble down the track.

Role of Building Certifiers …

Bearing all the building codes and standards of Australia in mind, a building certifier will get your building work approved and certified.

Your building certification will make certain that your construction plans, including any addition or extension, are in accordance with the building act, building regulation and other similar building control legislation.

The most significant duty of a building certifier is to make sure that your building work lives up to all the standards enforced by the government at different levels, such as local, state and federal.

He also has the authority to take action if he discovers that work done does not meet recognised standards.

As well as inspecting construction work, a certifier also performs the following duties:

  • Gives certificate of inspection to the builder after examining his work.
  • Issues final certificates for allowing occupation of the building.
  • Sends enforcement notices if and when necessary.
  • Inspects constructions work at various stages.
  • Approves plans for new constructions like additions, extensions or alterations.

The main differences between building inspectors and building certifiers …

So, unlike a building inspector, a certifier does not inspect the construction to examine the quality and completion of work. He doesn’t even keep an eye on a builder to make certain he is abiding by the contract.

I trust this explanation helps you to make sense of the differences between building inspectors and building certifiers.

For your next building inspection call Paul Cavallo, independent building inspector, on  0419 868 008

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