Concrete Pre-Pour Inspection
Inspect steel reinforcement, vapour barrier, set-out and footings before the concrete is poured, defects fixed before they become permanent.
- Same-day report (subject to access and availability)
- Upfront pricing
- 12 months free advice
What's in your concrete pre-pour inspection
Included
- Verification of position of services and dimensions per approved plans
- Set-out adequacy assessment for the pour
- Vapour barrier inspection, coverage, laps, penetrations
- Steel reinforcement installation inspection, bar size, spacing, cover
- Footing inspection, depth, dimensions, soil conditions
- Compliance assessment to AS 2870-2011
- Same-day written report with photo evidence
Not included
- Concrete pour witness (separate service)
- Post-pour slab inspection (separate service)
- Engineering certification
- Soil testing or geotechnical assessment
Our inspectors document every accessible element on site with photo evidence and severity ratings.
Why you might need this
- Owner-builder wanting independent verification before the pour
- Builder's client who wants assurance that steel, barrier and set-out comply with plans
- Construction loan where the lender requires stage inspections
- Situations where the engineer's inspection has not been confirmed and you want an independent eye
- Any residential slab where compliance to AS 2870 needs to be documented
Stage pricing is confirmed at booking. The fee depends on the build stage, site access, and inspection scope. Use the guide price in the header as a starting point, then book online to confirm your quote.
The build sequence
Where this inspection sits in the build
Every stage inspection has a right moment. Here is the full sequence, with this inspection highlighted and when to book each of the others.
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Stage 1 of 11 This inspection
Pre-Pour
1-2 days before concrete is poured
- When to book
- Book as soon as your builder confirms the pour date. We inspect one to two days before the trucks arrive.
- Why it matters
- Once concrete is poured, the formwork, footings and reinforcement can never be checked again.
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- When to book
- Book once the pour date is locked in. One visit covers the pre-pour check and the pour itself.
- Why it matters
- The one chance to check the slab while it is being placed, not after it has set.
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- When to book
- Book for two or more days after the pour, before your builder starts framing or brickwork.
- Why it matters
- Once the walls go up, nobody can check the slab set-out or catch early cracking.
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- When to book
- Book the moment stumps or posts are in. If there are footings, they need to be poured first.
- Why it matters
- Framing is built straight over them. Alignment and fixing faults disappear from view.
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- When to book
- Book when the brick walls top out, before the roof trusses arrive on site.
- Why it matters
- Wall plumbness, plate level and tie-downs are out of reach once the roof frame goes on.
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- When to book
- Book the day framing finishes, before any roof cover, cladding or plasterboard goes on.
- Why it matters
- Bracing, tie-downs and lintel sizing can only be checked now.
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- When to book
- Book once the roof frame is up, before the roof cover goes on.
- Why it matters
- Truss fixing and roof bracing get sealed under the roof cover for the life of the house.
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- When to book
- Book once the building is sealed and lockable: roof on, external doors and windows in, before internal fit-out begins.
- Why it matters
- Your last look at flashings, brick ties and waterproofing before the linings hide them.
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- When to book
- Book as soon as your builder gives you the PCI date and time.
- Why it matters
- Defects documented at PCI are contract corrections. Miss them and they turn into warranty disputes.
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- When to book
- Book once the builder confirms the PCI defect repairs are finished.
- Why it matters
- Independent confirmation that every PCI item was actually fixed before you accept the keys.
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- When to book
- Book in good time before your warranty period closes. Your builder or contract sets the exact window.
- Why it matters
- The last window to put settling and movement defects back on the builder before the warranty closes.
The process
- 1
Schedule before the pour date
Book 2–3 days before your scheduled pour to guarantee availability. Provide your approved plans at booking.
- 2
Inspector attends site
Your SURE inspector verifies set-out, vapour barrier, steel reinforcement, and footings against the engineering drawings and AS 2870.
- 3
Same-day report delivered
A detailed report with photos and any defects noted is delivered the same day, subject to access and availability, in time to resolve issues before the concrete truck arrives.
- 4
Follow-up advice
Your inspector can answer questions about findings and required remediation during your 12-month free advice period.
See exactly what you get before you book
Our concrete pre-pour inspection report includes annotated photos, severity ratings, AS 4349 references and actionable remediation advice. Written in plain language so you can act on it the day you receive it.
- Photo evidence per finding
- Severity rated: critical, moderate, cosmetic
- Australian Standards cross-referenced
- Remediation guidance you can quote
What our concrete pre-pour inspections commonly find
Our DefectIndex documents inspection findings across Perth and Sydney. Browse the defect categories most relevant to this type of inspection.
About a concrete pre-pour inspection
When to book
Book 2–3 business days before your scheduled pour date, after the steel and vapour barrier are installed.
- Steel placement, cover, and spacing can only be verified before the concrete is placed
- Vapour barrier laps and penetrations are visible at this stage only
- Footing depths and set-out can be checked against engineering drawings
- After the pour, remediation is significantly more costly and disruptive
The Concrete Pre-Pour Inspection is completed to verify compliance with AS 2870-2011 (Residential Slabs and Footings) before the concrete is poured. The inspector verifies the position of services, set-out dimensions, vapour barrier installation, steel reinforcement, and footing configuration against approved engineering drawings.
Defects identified at pre-pour stage can be corrected before the concrete is placed. Once poured, remediation is significantly more costly and disruptive. This inspection is the most cost-effective quality gate available at the foundation stage of any residential construction.
You might also need
About concrete pre-pour inspection
Should I get a pre-pour slab inspection?
Yes — once the concrete is poured there is no way to find or correct defects in the foundation or footing. The pre-pour stage is the only chance to verify the works before they are sealed in concrete.
What is a pre-pour slab inspection?
It is conducted before the concrete is poured to check the foundation and footing are correct before the next phase. The inspector verifies trenches, sewer drains, steel reinforcement, concrete cover, termite and vapour barriers, set-out and footings against your approved plans and AS 2870.
How do you inspect slab footings?
Before the pour, while the steel, trenches, sewer drains and everything the slab forms on are clearly visible. Once the concrete is placed these elements are no longer accessible.
What is the difference between a pre-pour inspection and a pour witness?
The pre-pour inspection verifies everything is correct before the concrete arrives. The Slab Pour Witness adds attendance during the actual pour to confirm the concrete is placed in accordance with the Building Code of Australia. You can book both for complete coverage.
When should I book the pre-pour inspection?
Book 2–3 business days before your planned pour date. The inspection must occur after the steel and vapour barrier are installed but before the pour.
Do I need to provide plans?
Yes — approved engineering drawings and any specific details should be provided to the inspector beforehand so the verification can be done against the correct specification.
What defects are commonly found at pre-pour stage?
Common findings include insufficient steel cover, incorrect bar spacing, vapour barrier penetrations or laps not taped, set-out discrepancies to plans, and incorrect footing depths. All can be corrected before the pour at minimal cost.