The Difference Between A Building Inspector And A Building Certifier

If you are intending to buy, build or renovate your home; a building inspection has to be done to ensure that property is intact.

However, with the building and construction field being flooded with so many professionals and players, there is a possibility one might not make any progress easily. Two key players whose roles are always confused by Aussies are building inspector and building certifier. In a bid to differentiate them and their fields of work, below is an in-depth coverage for you.

Building inspection

A building inspection is an inspection done for a property to check for any defects, structural failures or finish quality. Since it is conducted visually, results are provided best to the inspectors access and sight. This inspection is done prior to purchase of home, after its renovation or immediately after completion of a construction project. In a nutshell, a building inspection is essential in providing clients with an overview and current state of a property.

Role of a building inspector

Being a qualified, certified and insured practitioner, he should offer inspection services that extend to the hidden details often left unearthed. Moreover, backed up with years of experience and accredited by building and construction bodies, he should work in line with Australian standards like AS 4349.1-2007. Once an inspection is done, they should provide a full report covering the inspection.

Responsibilities of a building inspector

1. Vested with full authority to control any construction in line with building and construction regulations.
2. Ensure that every requirement of the building regulation are met at every stage. For Australians, the foundation and roofing stages are so crucial.
3. Examine building plans, specifications, architectural sheets submitted to them for approval. By this, any inspector should be highly knowledgeable in the design field.
4 Inspect an ongoing project and check its progress.
5. Provide clients with regulatory advice to ensure the forwarded building permits comply with Building Code of Australia.

Australian Building Certification

Building certification mainly deals with certification of construction works after ensuring the plans comply with regulations set by various governing bodies. However, for a building work to be certified, its planning and setup should comply fully with all levels of government set authorities be it state, federal or local. Certification can be broken down into two; consistency or building products or materials and certification of drainage materials or plumbing products. In both, materials should be authorized and evaluated to be used after meeting quality requirements specified under the Building Code of Australia.

Role of a building certifier

Certifying a building encompasses various obligations. Among them is carrying out inspections to building and construction projects at their various stages of progress. Moreover, they are key approvers of plans of new or renovated properties after conducting various assessments. After a developer has been flagged off by an inspector, a certifier provides them with a certificate allowing commencement of building activities. Finally upon completion of construction, they provide the last certification allowing occupation. This certification however should comply with Domestic Building Contract Act 1996, Building Code of Australia, Building Regulation 2006, and Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Responsibilities of a building certifier

1. Licensing- They have to be licensed as both a principal and general surveyor then as a plumbing plan certifier to be a full practitioner.
2. Advertising- They should include their name and license number in any advertisement they run or done by their clients. An ACN or ABN number is applicable for those in corporations.
3. Insurance- An evidence of agreement should be provided to clients showing their understanding towards an insurance arrangement.
4. Standards- They should make sure every construction complies with the set BCA and installations of protections such as termite barriers done correctly.

With the above information, a new player in the professional-stacked building industry can differentiate between an inspector and certifier. By new, it refers to first time home buyers and property sellers trying to make a simple entry in property market. However, every detail is only applicable to residents and places in Australia.