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Prahran builds often sit on tight inner-suburban blocks with neighbouring footings, old services and variable ground conditions—one missed detail before the pour can lock in drainage, reinforcement and moisture problems for good.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We assess excavation depth, base material placement and overall readiness of the subgrade before any concrete is poured. A poorly prepared base can lead to slab movement, uneven settlement and cracking that becomes visible later in finishes and door operation.
We check formwork lines, edge beams, rebates and set-downs so the slab is formed to the correct footprint and finished levels. In Prahran’s tight lots, a small formwork error can affect boundary clearances, falls to drains and step heights throughout the home.
We inspect reinforcement placement, lap lengths, bar positioning and whether the steel is properly supported (chairs/spacers) to achieve effective cover. Incorrect steel placement can reduce slab performance and increase the likelihood of cracking and long-term durability issues.
We check the membrane type, overlaps, taping and tears, plus how it’s dressed around penetrations. A compromised barrier can allow ground moisture to migrate into the slab, which can later affect flooring adhesives, timber stability and indoor humidity.
We review plumbing and other penetrations for correct location, sleeving where required, and sealing details that won’t be accessible after the pour. Misplaced penetrations can force on-the-fly changes, reduce waterproofing effectiveness and create ongoing leak paths.
We look at how the site will handle water before and after the pour, including falls away from the slab edge and any temporary water control that prevents undermining. Poor water management at base stage can wash out bedding, contaminate the pour area and compromise the slab edge.
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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 as soon as the base stage is approaching—ideally when formwork, reinforcement, membrane and services are in place, but before any concrete is poured. In Prahran, pours can be scheduled quickly due to tight site access and coordinated trades, so aim to lock the inspection in a few days ahead. If your builder brings the pour forward, tell us straight away so we can try to attend in time.
We inspect the base preparation, formwork dimensions and levels, steel reinforcement placement and support, and the condition and continuity of the moisture barrier before the pour. We also look closely at service penetrations and whether details are set up in a way that won’t cause issues once concrete is placed. You’ll receive photos and clear recommendations you can action with your builder.
Yes. Many Prahran sites have narrow side access, shared driveways or construction occurring close to neighbouring structures. We plan the inspection around safe access and what can be reasonably viewed at the time, focusing on the critical elements that must be correct before concrete is poured. If any areas are concealed or unsafe to access, we’ll note this clearly in the report and advise what evidence to request.
It can. Where older drainage, sewer connections or legacy service runs are present, the risk of mislocated penetrations and last-minute changes increases. At Stage 1 we pay close attention to penetration locations, clearances and how the membrane is dressed and sealed around them. Catching errors before the pour helps avoid cutting, patching and moisture pathways that are difficult to manage later.
You can provide our report to your builder and request rectification before concrete is placed. Because the base stage is still exposed, problems like misplaced steel, torn membrane, incorrect set-downs or missing support can usually be corrected quickly. If you want, we can discuss the findings so you understand which items are urgent before the pour and which items should be monitored at later stages.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections provides a photo-backed Stage 1 report that targets formwork, reinforcement and moisture barrier details—so you can push for fixes on your Prahran site while they’re still easy to correct. Call 0485 857 077.