A frame inspection takes place after the structural frame is erected and before plasterboard installation begins. It is your last opportunity to assess the structural elements of your new home before they are permanently concealed.
Why the Frame Inspection Matters
Once plasterboard is installed, the structural frame — the timber members, bracing elements, tiedown connections, and roof structure — is invisible. Defects that are straightforward to identify and rectify at frame stage become expensive to access and correct after plasterboard installation.
An independent frame inspection by a QBCC-licensed building inspector provides a documented assessment of the frame's compliance with the structural engineering drawings, the National Construction Code, and the QBCC Standards and Tolerances.
What VG Inspect Checks at Frame Stage
Timber member sizing and grade. All structural timber members — studs, bearers, joists, rafters, and lintels — must match the specification in the approved structural engineering drawings. Incorrect sizing is a structural defect.
Wall bracing. The bracing schedule specifies the type, quantity, and placement of wall bracing elements required to resist lateral wind loads. Missing, incorrectly placed, or incorrectly fixed bracing is a structural defect and one of the most commonly found frame inspection items across SEQ.
Tiedown connections. The connection between roof trusses and wall top plates, and between wall frames and the slab or bearer system, must comply with the structural specification. Missing or undersized tiedown hardware is a consistent finding, particularly in designated wind regions across Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.
Roof truss installation. Truss placement, lateral bracing, and connection to the top plate must match the truss manufacturer's installation drawings. Web member damage, incorrect truss spacing, and inadequate lateral bracing are common findings.
Notching and penetrations. Service penetrations through structural timber members — for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC — must comply with the maximum dimensions and locations specified in AS 1684. Over-notched members are a structural defect.
Fire blocking. Top plate penetrations and wall cavities at floor levels must be fire-blocked to contain the spread of fire through the wall cavity. Missing or incomplete fire blocking is a consistent finding.
When to Book Your Frame Inspection
Book your frame inspection as soon as your builder notifies you that the frame is erected and ready for inspection. The window before plasterboard installation begins is typically one to two weeks — but on fast-moving sites it can be shorter. Book immediately when notified. QBCC licence 1318443.
Ready to book your inspection? A VG Inspect QBCC-licensed inspector attends every job.
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