Building Inspection Insights — Expert Advice for SEQ New Home Buyers
66 Google ReviewsPractical advice from Adam Gates — QBCC Lic. 1318443 — on new home construction, defects and your rights as a buyer in Queensland.
New to the build process? Start with our home buying tips guide for everything to check before you sign a contract, or read about the methodology → behind every inspection.
- Buyer Guides
Slab Inspection Checklist for Queensland New Builds
What an independent slab inspection actually checks before the concrete pour — formwork, reinforcement, plumbing rough-ins, termite barrier and vapour barrier — with AS 2870 and AS 3660.1 references.
31 May 20268 min readRead article - Buyer Guides
Common Frame Stage Defects in Queensland New Builds
The 8 defects we see most often at frame stage on Queensland new builds — what they look like, why they matter, and what AS 1684 says about each.
31 May 20269 min readRead article - Defects
The 10 Most Common Defects We Find at PCI in Brisbane New Homes
After hundreds of PCI inspections across Brisbane and SEQ, these are the defects that appear on almost every report — and what they cost you if your builder hands them over unresolved.
3 May 20266 min readRead article - QBCC & Legal
Can Your Builder Refuse an Independent Building Inspection in Queensland?
One of the most common questions we hear from new home buyers in SEQ. The short answer is no — but understanding why matters before you book.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
What Does a Frame Inspection Check? A Plain English Guide for Queensland Buyers
The frame stage is one of the two most important inspections of your entire build. Once plaster goes on, what's behind the walls is invisible forever. Here's exactly what we check.
3 May 20265 min readRead article - QBCC & Legal
QBCC Standards and Tolerances — A Plain English Guide for New Home Buyers
The QBCC Standards and Tolerances is the document that defines what a defect is in a new Queensland home. Understanding it is the difference between getting defects fixed and being told they're 'within tolerance'.
3 May 20267 min readRead article - Costs & Value
How Much Does a Building Inspection Cost in Brisbane? 2026 Price Guide
A transparent breakdown of building inspection costs across Brisbane and SEQ in 2026 — what you should pay, what's included, and why the cheapest option often costs more in the long run.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
What is a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) and Why Do You Need One?
Most new home buyers in Queensland don't know what a PCI is until they're two weeks from handover. Here's everything you need to know — and why you need to book before it's too late.
3 May 20265 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
The 6 Stages of New Home Construction in Queensland — and When to Inspect Each One
Understanding the stages of new home construction in Queensland helps you know when to book each inspection — and why the window for each stage is shorter than most buyers realise.
3 May 20266 min readRead article - Costs & Value
Do You Really Need a Building Inspection on a New Home in Queensland?
Your builder has a certifier. The QBCC regulates the industry. So do you really need an independent inspection? The answer might surprise you — and it has nothing to do with whether your builder is honest.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
Waterproofing Inspection — Why This Stage Matters More Than Any Other
Waterproofing failures are the most expensive defect category in new Queensland homes. This is the inspection that prevents a $20,000 problem from becoming your problem.
3 May 20265 min readRead article - Builder Accountability
Builder Won't Fix Defects? Here's What to Do in Queensland
You have a defect report. Your builder is disputing it, delaying or ignoring it. Here's the step-by-step process for getting defects fixed in Queensland — and the documentation that makes each step work.
3 May 20265 min readRead article - Builder Accountability
Metricon Building Inspection — What to Expect and What We Find
Metricon is Australia's largest volume builder. VG Inspect conducts inspections across Metricon builds throughout Brisbane and SEQ. Here's what we find consistently — and what you should know before handover.
3 May 20265 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
Pre-Pour Slab Inspection — The Most Time-Critical Inspection of Your Build
You have 24 to 48 hours from when your builder notifies you of a pour date. Once the concrete truck arrives, the window is gone permanently. Here's why this inspection matters and what to do.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - QBCC & Legal
What is a Warranty Inspection — and Why You Must Book Before 12 Months
Most Queensland new home buyers don't know their builder's defect liability period exists until it expires. Here's what the warranty covers, what a warranty inspection finds, and why the 10-month mark is your deadline.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Builder Accountability
Ecco Ripley Building Inspection — What New Home Buyers Need to Know
Ecco Ripley is SEQ's most searched new home estate. With construction active across multiple stages simultaneously, here's what independent inspections find — and why they matter at this scale.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Costs & Value
How to Read Your Building Inspection Report — and What to Do With It
You've received your VG Inspect report. Now what? Here's how to read it, how to present it to your builder, and what to do if they push back.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - Stage Inspections
North Lakes and Strathpine Building Inspection — What Buyers Need to Know
North Lakes and Strathpine are among Brisbane's most active new home construction suburbs. Here's what VG Inspect finds regularly in this corridor and what to do before handover.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - QBCC & Legal
5 Things to Do Before Your Builder's Warranty Period Expires
The 12-month defect liability period is the most underused consumer protection in Queensland residential construction. Here's what to do before it expires.
3 May 20264 min readRead article - QBCC & Legal
Independent Inspector vs Builder's Certifier — What's the Difference?
Your builder's certifier inspects your home at every stage. So why do you need an independent inspector? The answer is about who they work for — and what they're checking.
3 May 20264 min readRead article
Building in Brisbane or SEQ?
A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every inspection. QBCC Lic. 1318443. From $660.