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Richmond blocks are often tight, close to boundaries and frequently rebuilt after demolition—small set-out or drainage mistakes at pre-slab can lock in expensive slab and stormwater problems for the life of the home.
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Our comprehensive service includes everything you need to make an informed decision about your property.
We visually verify the slab location against practical on-site markers, checking for obvious offset risks, boundary-proximity issues and irregular shapes typical of townhouse and rear-lot builds. Getting the footprint right at this stage helps avoid encroachments, misaligned walls and rework once frames begin.
We inspect formwork stability, line and level, plus edge beam dimensions and slab thickenings where loads concentrate (such as around openings or garage areas). Poorly formed edges can lead to weak slab perimeters, uneven brickwork lines and problems fitting cladding and doors later.
We check reinforcement type and layout as visible on site, including overlaps/laps, bar placement around beams and penetrations, and whether steel is properly supported on chairs to achieve cover. Incorrect placement can reduce slab performance and increase cracking and durability issues.
We assess the membrane/vapour barrier installation as accessible, looking for tears, inadequate laps, poor taping and punctures from site traffic. In a suburb like Richmond where ground moisture can affect internal finishes, a compromised barrier can contribute to dampness and floor covering failures.
We review the base preparation visually for soft spots, uneven subgrade, poorly filled trenches and signs of inadequate support around service runs. Subgrade issues can show up later as slab movement, cracking and uneven floors, especially where trenches cross the slab area.
We check that visible service penetrations are appropriately located and that pre-pour drainage provisions (where visible) won’t conflict with the slab edge or create awkward falls. On compact Richmond blocks, early coordination reduces the risk of last-minute cut-outs, patching and leaks.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
Book it after the site is cut/fill is complete and the formwork, reinforcement and vapour barrier are installed, but before any concrete is poured. In Richmond, trades can move steel and membranes while working in tight spaces, so timing matters. Aim to schedule the inspection as soon as the slab is ‘ready for pour’ and before the builder’s pre-pour sign-off.
Yes. A Stage 1 inspection focuses on what must be correct before the pour: reinforcement placement and support, formwork and edge beams, and the vapour barrier condition as visible. We look for issues such as inadequate laps, punctures, poor taping and steel that may not have the correct cover. These are far easier to fix now than after concrete sets.
We check visible aspects that influence the slab outcome, including penetrations, trench backfill indicators, and whether the layout appears coordinated to prevent conflicts at the slab edge. Some drainage components are completed in stages, so we note what’s present, what appears incomplete, and what should be confirmed with the builder before the pour to avoid later cut-outs and patching.
Often, yes. Richmond rebuilds can involve constrained access, close neighbours and shared boundaries, plus leftover service runs or old footings that need correct treatment. These conditions increase the risk of uneven subgrade preparation, poorly compacted trench areas and last-minute changes to penetrations. A pre-slab inspection helps spot these practical site issues before they become permanent under the slab.
You’ll receive a detailed report with photos and clear recommendations you can forward to your builder or site supervisor. The report highlights items that should be corrected before the pour and explains why they matter for slab performance and durability. If something can’t be fully verified at this stage, we note it clearly so you know what to confirm prior to concrete placement.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the high-risk pre-pour details that commonly go wrong on Richmond’s tight rebuild and townhouse sites—call 0485 857 077 to lock in an inspection time.