Quick answer: The fixing / waterproofing stage inspection happens after plasterboard is up and waterproofing is applied to wet areas — but before tiling and final fit-off. It’s the last chance to catch waterproofing failures before tiles seal them in. An independent VBA-registered inspector spends 1-1.5 hours on site checking AS 3740 wet-area waterproofing, internal door installation, skirting and architrave fit, and pre-paint substrate.
Why fixing/waterproofing matters
Of all new-home defects, waterproofing failures are the most expensive to fix retrospectively. A bathroom that leaks in year 2 means:
– Tile removal
– Substrate replacement (usually mouldy)
– Re-waterproofing
– Re-tiling
– Re-grouting
Cost: $8,000–$25,000 per bathroom. All preventable by inspecting at fixing stage before the tiles go down.
What we check at fixing/waterproofing
A thorough fixing-stage inspection covers:
Waterproofing
- Coverage — every wet-area floor and 150mm minimum up walls (more in showers per AS 3740)
- Membrane integrity — no pinholes, tears, or thin patches; correct membrane type for the substrate
- Penetrations — every plumbing fixture penetration sealed and reinforced; correct flange detail
- Floor falls — minimum 1:80 to floor wastes; no flat spots; no back-falls
- Hob heights — shower hobs at correct height; thresholds at correct fall
- Junction details — wall/floor junction reinforced with bond breaker fillet; correct treatment at corners
Internal fit-off readiness
- Door installation — frames plumb and square; consistent reveals; correct strike plate alignment
- Architraves and skirting — mitres tight, scribes correct, fixings concealed
- Cornices — uniform; no visible joins; no cracks
- Pre-paint substrate — sanded smooth, no visible joints/tape, dust controlled
Tile-readiness
- Substrate flatness — within AS 3958.1 tolerance for the chosen tile size (large-format tiles need flatter substrates)
- Cement sheet substrate — fixings flush, taped joints, ready for tile adhesive
- Tile setout — visualise the tile pattern; flag any obvious set-out issues now
Other
- Insulation — final pass; no compressed insulation or missing patches
- Service penetrations — sealed against vermin and air infiltration
Common defects we find at fixing/waterproofing
- Membrane not extended high enough up shower walls — AS 3740 minimum height not met
- Floor waste not at the lowest point — water pools instead of draining
- Pin-hole gaps in membrane at corners or penetrations — invisible until water finds them
- Tile set-out issues — small slivers at thresholds, awkward cuts at corners
- Door reveals inconsistent — 3mm one side, 8mm the other
- Cornice cracks at frame stage carried forward — should have been remedied
- Skirting scribes poor — visible gaps between skirting and uneven floors
Why VBA-registered inspectors matter here
Building right now?
Star catches stage defects while your builder still has to fix them. Slab, frame, lock-up, fixing, PCI.
Waterproofing inspection requires reading AS 3740 against the as-applied membrane. A VBA-registered builder has installed waterproofing membranes — they know what a properly applied membrane looks and feels like, where defects hide, and what corner detail tells you the work was rushed.
A generic inspector who’s never installed a membrane will tell you “looks fine.” A registered builder will catch the missing reinforcement at the floor waste flange.
Frequently asked questions
When is fixing/waterproofing stage inspected?
After plasterboard is up, waterproofing is applied to wet areas, but before tiling. Your builder will notify you when the stage is reached.
How long does the inspection take?
1-1.5 hours on site for a standard 4-bedroom home. Same-day photo-rich written report.
Will the builder fix waterproofing defects?
Yes, contractually they must. Waterproofing must comply with AS 3740 and the NCC. Documented defects = punch-list items.
What if tiling has already started?
Then it’s late. Stop work, document, and have the inspection done before more tile goes down. Removing tile to fix waterproofing is feasible but costly.
Book a fixing stage inspection
New Home Stage Inspections — Melbourne West — VBA-registered builder, four-stage inspections, same-day reports.
Related guides:
– The 5 Stages of a New Home Build
– Lock-Up / Pre-Plaster Inspection Guide
– PCI Checklist — Practical Completion Handover
Call Michael direct on 0412 014 216 to book.
Waterproofing stage — what gets checked in wet areas
What customers say about Star
How we grade defects
Your builder's "inspector" is paid by the builder. Their job is to sign off, not to find defects. By the time you spot the issue at handover, contracts are signed and the build company has moved on.
Star is an independent VBA-registered builder hired by you, not by the builder. We attend at slab, frame, lock-up, fixing and PCI stages — finding defects while the builder still has to fix them under contract.
Why customers choose Star
Across Melbourne's west
Chain inspectors vs Star
| Factor | Chain inspector | Star (independent) |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector continuity | Rotating staff | Michael every time |
| VBA-registered builder | ✗ | ✓ |
| Report walkthrough | ✗ | yes — phone call |
| Same-day report | ✗ | yes (by 6pm) |
| Cost | $300-450 | $450-650 |
Why book Star Building Inspections?
Star Building Inspections is owned and operated by Michael Tuder — a VBA-registered builder with 20+ years inspecting homes across Melbourne's western corridor. Michael personally attends every inspection, writes every report, and calls every customer to walk them through the findings line by line. No contractors. No rotating staff. No outsourced sign-offs.
Book your stage inspection
Slab, frame, lock-up, fixing or PCI — independent oversight catches defects while your builder still has to fix them under contract.
