QA vs Independent Inspector

Interesting issue this one, everyone has an opinion and one I have been wanting to ask for awhile.

The builders say they aren't required and not worth the money while the inspectors say its worth it if only as an insurance policy for your investment.

Each are paid by opposing parties, so have vested interests in opposite directions and it appears each has varying degree of attention to detail.

So the M employed QA guy went through our place weeks ago and obviously prior to handover and rated it a 98.3%. How the hell that is worked out is beyond me, but a pretty good score none the less.

Our engaged Independent Inspector found quite a few obvious issues that was over looked by the QA guys including,

• A window lintel was not painted at all,
• The fire box was still not to code - frustrating given he raised it in April at his early inspection,
• The heating duct was not connected to the outlet - ok if you intend to heat and live in the roof space,
• Insulation wasn't correctly installed in all places,
• The carpet still had visible lines through it which needed replacing, and
• Two of the 5 ceiling mounted vents / fans didn't have dampeners which are required for the star rating.

Excluding paint imperfections and other tidy ups, the above are a couple of really obvious, easy gets if your inspector is on his game and / or has a quick look through the manhole into the roof.  Our independent inspector did. Not so sure about whoever did the QA.

With a mark of 98.3% - which is a great score - I can't help feel like I was copying the paper of the student next to me and really deserve a score less than awarded....

I must say M fixed all remaining items without fuss (although at their leisure), so we are really happy overall with our house but the question remains - QA vs Independent Inspector ?

Cam

Give me a P, Give me a C, Give me an I....

That's right folks... this morning we finally had our PCI and things are looking promising!

We met SS and our Independent Inspector, Rob from Building Check, on site at 8am this morning. It was a huge relief to know that there only remain small touch-ups and minor fixes that can be completed quickly. It was also a novelty that our SS was on the phone arranging trades as each issue was picked up and most are booked in for next Monday through Wednesday.

Our Independent Inspector was overall impressed with the quality of the workmanship in our house, which is great to know. In essence the following need completing before handover... 

• The lines in the carpets that we mentioned HERE have not resolved themselves. The downstairs carpets are all being replaced on Tuesday, but the company still believes that the upstairs carpet will resolve and if not are writing us a letter to confirm that they will be responsible for replacing it if it still has lines in a few months time including moving the furniture if required.
• Our inspector discovered that the heating vent in the ceiling connecting the master bedroom heating to the rest of the house has been disconnected by a careless tradie. Luckily the heating guys are coming on Wednesday to commission the heating system and will fix it then.
• We discovered that the pop up bath wastes were not installed. After a quick call to the plumber, it was revealed that they were not able to be installed because of the order in which the bath was installed 3 months ago and no one bothered to say anything. Now the only way to have the pop up wastes is to access the bath plumbing from below ie cut the ceiling in the rumpus and the sitting room, connect the waste and patch it all up again... but the SS assured us that it wouldn't add much if any days.
• Flashing to go on top of the external brick firebox which was recommended when our Independent Inspector came in April still has not been completed. It is needed to stop moisture coming through the porous bricks on the top and getting into the Jetmaster... we couldn't have that could we? What is a mystery (even after directly asking our SS this question!) is why something picked up in April still needs to be done and more importantly how it can pass the QA process.
• Other bits and bobs include a new microwave which was on back order, the elusive colander and chopping board for sink, paint touch-ups, silicon fix ups, grout cleaning, dampers on exhaust fans (which were on 2/5), hot water service needs alteration so that the valve is safer, external garage door replacement and lock.

Exciting times ahead! We are expecting a call from SS on Tuesday afternoon to book in Handover for next FRIDAY!

Pray to the handover gods for us!

Kirst

xxx

Being assured of the quality...

I'm happy to report that the house got a great report card last Friday when QA took place. There were mainly painting defects to be corrected, a new microwave as the old one had dents and a dodgy button and a few other bits and bobs. Its interesting how much stuff they don't pick up so don't rely on them only to be comprehensive!

A new front door is being installed early next week and then it will be painted. What happened to the old one? Wellllll... remember about 7-8 weeks ago I mentioned that the wrong door handle had been installed. A new door handle was ordered and was on site in the kitchen cupboard by June 20. It has taken our SS 7 weeks to check to see if it fits (it doesn't and we told him all along the screw holes wouldn't match up!) and now a new door needs to be used and repainted. Begs the question why they a). couldnt get it right the first time? and b). took so long to get it fixed?

Anyway enough about that.

Earlier today we sent our SS a list of things that we know need to be fixed. We did this so to negate the need to get tradies out again after QA and hopefully try to get to handover quicker.

Here is the list...

Items previously discussed over the past few months,

·      Rear garage door locks required incl flush bolt,

·        Garage expansion joints are messy and look poor. 

·        Gas meter needs to be lowered,

·        Flashing on top of brick work of fire box needs to be completed – inspection report dated 5 April.

·         Portico, LH and RH sides (cladding areas) needs to be painted,

·         Portico, a hole exists behind downpipe,

·         Front door and handles,

·         Dining room window has a drill hole through the aluminium?,

·         Both baths need pop-up wastes,

·         Upstairs bathroom door needs replacement,

·         Upstairs bathroom door frame paint needs to be redone,

·         Ensuite (LHS) basin leaks,

·         Carpet lines and joins to be explored,

A few items We’ve noticed recently that we have not discussed,

·       Exterior needs to be cleaned – especially down LHS, windows around fire box,

·         Laundry cabinets to be checked for damage, post plumbing issue leading to damage to flooring,

·         Plaster join in stairwell needs to be cleaned up.

I 

I am sure that we will see more things when we have PCI. But fingers crossed we wont! Here's the schedule going forward...

Our follow up QA to be next Thursday 9^th or Friday 10^th.

Our PCI is booked in for Monday 13^th. We have booked in our Independent Inspector to assist us.

He say he is confident we can have keys by month end. I bloody hope so!!!!

Kirst

xx

Inching closer...

Last week painting was touched up for the 4th or 5th time. The plumbing was also completed. Our SS is on annual leave this week but he has still scheduled the following to occur in preparation for QA.

·         Cook Top in,

·         Drains all connected,

·         Fire surround installed

·         Bamboo Floorboards to be installed again.

·         New front door handle installed,

·         Renderers back to fix up the façade.

QA booked for Friday 6^th if all above done, if not then it will be pushed til Mon 9^th/Tues 10^th.

Depending on what they find we could have PCI the following week and Handover not long after, perhaps before the end of July. WOOT WOOT!

In the meantime, I'm trying to organise the lovely ladies at Victory Curtains and Blinds to come and measure and quote for blinds. I'm thinking of the following in the main bedroom and sitting room surrounding the Jetmaster.

Source: Houzz - http://www.bandgdesign.com/

Source: Houzz -  http://www.rs3designs.com/residential/index.html 

I also purchased the following digital photo print from an art auction Breast Cancer Fundraiser last friday night. Not sure where I am going to put it, but I really loved it.

Kirst

xx