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Canterbury’s mix of knock-down rebuilds and tight residential blocks means drainage falls, fill compaction and termite barriers must be right before concrete locks everything in.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess the base for cleanliness, firmness and suitability for the slab design, including whether soft spots, uncontrolled fill or debris could compromise support once concrete is poured.
We check formwork alignment, slab edge beams and rebates against the drawings so the slab is the right size and shape, and so future brickwork, cladding and garage thresholds aren’t forced into awkward fixes.
We verify reinforcement size and layout as visible on site, including laps, spacing, trench mesh placement and bar chairs. Correct cover and support reduces cracking risk and helps the slab achieve its intended performance.
We inspect the membrane for continuity, overlaps, penetrations and damage. A properly installed barrier helps control rising damp and moisture migration into the slab and floor finishes.
We review plumbing and other penetrations for location, sleeves and sealing, and note any conflicts with reinforcement or set-down areas. Fixing these before the pour prevents costly core drilling and patching later.
Where a termite system is part of the build, we check that the relevant components visible at this stage are positioned and protected as required so the barrier isn’t compromised once concrete and external works proceed.
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Professional inspections with attention to every detail. Here's a glimpse of our work.
Inspection photo 1
Inspection photo 2
Inspection photo 3
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Book it once formwork, steel reinforcement and the vapour membrane are installed and visible, but before the concrete pour is scheduled to start. In Canterbury, builders can move quickly once the base is ready, so it’s best to organise the inspection as soon as the steel date is confirmed. If you’re unsure, send photos or the build schedule and we’ll advise the right timing.
A Stage 1 inspection focuses on what will be permanently buried: site preparation, formwork set-out, reinforcement placement, vapour membrane condition, and coordination of service penetrations. We compare what’s installed on site to the drawings and relevant requirements, then document issues that should be rectified before the pour. It’s a practical check of workmanship and compliance at the most critical point.
We’re not acting as the project engineer, but we can identify visible inconsistencies between the approved documentation and what’s been installed on site, as well as common construction defects that affect slab performance. If we see signs the site conditions or preparation may not match the intent of the design (for example, questionable fill or poor base readiness), we’ll note it and recommend further advice from the engineer where appropriate.
On Canterbury rebuild sites, we often see challenges around cut-and-fill, tight access affecting compaction quality, and drainage falls being compromised by boundary constraints. Mature trees and previous structures can also leave variable ground conditions if removal and preparation aren’t handled well. A pre-slab inspection helps pick up these practical issues early, while the builder can still adjust the base, formwork and detailing before concrete is poured.
You’ll receive a detailed report with photos, clear descriptions of each issue, and specific recommendations for rectification before the pour. The report is written so you can forward it directly to your builder or site supervisor and request confirmation once items are addressed. If needed, we can clarify findings so you understand what’s critical to fix immediately versus what should be monitored as the build progresses.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the base-stage details that get buried forever—formwork, steel, moisture and termite interfaces—so you can address issues early. Call 0485 857 077.