Frame Inspection (On Stumps)
Wall and roof frame verified before the roof cover is installed, flashings, bracing, anchors, window frames and wall ties all checked.
- Same-day report (subject to access and availability)
- Upfront pricing
- 12 months free advice
What's in your frame inspection
Included
- Wall frame and roof frame compliance to AS 1684.2-2021
- Flashings, installation and integration with openings
- Levels, wall frame plumb and straightness
- Dimensions to approved plans
- Mortar joins and door/window frames
- Wall ties, spacing, installation, embedment
- Bracing, type, spacing, fixing
- Anchors and mechanical fasteners
- Slab cracking at wall base
- Quality of work assessment
- Same-day written report with photo evidence
Not included
- Brickwork veneer skin (assessed at lock-up stage)
- Roof cover installation
- Plasterboard or internal fit-out
- Engineering certification
Our inspectors document every accessible element on site with photo evidence and severity ratings.
Why you might need this
- Brick veneer or timber frame home approaching the point where the roof cover will be installed
- Builder's client wanting independent frame compliance verification
- Owner-builder requiring documented frame inspection before the roof is installed
- Construction loan requiring a frame stage inspection
- Dispute prevention, documented frame condition before subsequent stages begin
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.
Stage 2 of 6 This inspection
Frame Inspection
Once all frame work is completed (wall and roof)
- 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.
View full 6-stage build sequence
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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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Stage 2 of 6 This inspection
Frame Inspection
Once all frame work is completed (wall and roof)
- 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 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
Book after frame is complete, before roof cover
The inspection must occur after the wall and roof frame are erected but before any roof cover or external cladding is installed.
- 2
Inspector assesses all framing elements
Your SURE inspector checks wall frame and roof frame compliance against AS 1684.2 and the approved plans, wall ties, bracing, flashings, anchors, and dimensional accuracy.
- 3
Same-day report delivered
A detailed report with photos, defect locations, and rectification requirements is delivered the same day.
- 4
12 months free advice
Your inspector is available for questions about findings during the free advice period.
See exactly what you get before you book
Our frame inspection (on stumps) 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
Common defects we find on frame inspections
Patterns indexed across the Perth and Sydney corpus. These are the types of findings you might see in your own report.
Chemical delignification of roof frame
Timber treated with preservatives showing surface degradation, assessed at frame before it is concealed.
External wall settlement cracking
Early frame deflection or footing movement showing as cracking in wall linings before plasterwork is complete.
About a frame inspection
The Frame Inspection is completed to verify compliance of the installed wall and roof frame in brick veneer or timber frame construction, in accordance with AS 1684.2-2021.
This inspection is the frame-stage equivalent for brick veneer and timber frame construction. Both the Frame Inspection and the Plate High Inspection cover the same point in the build sequence (walls and frame complete, before the roof cover is installed) but apply to different construction types. Frame Inspection is for brick veneer and timber frame builds; Plate High is for double brick (cavity brick) builds.
This inspection is for brick veneer and timber frame construction. For double brick (cavity brick) construction, book the Plate High Inspection instead. The inspection must be completed before the roof cover is installed to allow all frame elements to be verified against approved plans.
When to book
Book after the wall and roof frame are erected, before the roof cover or external cladding is installed.
- Bracing, anchors, and mechanical fasteners are fully visible at this stage
- Member sizes and spans can be checked against approved plans before cladding covers them
- Frame defects can be rectified without removing roofing or cladding
- Once the roof cover goes on, getting back to the frame means demolition
This covers wall frame plumb and straightness, roof frame compliance, wall ties, bracing, mechanical fasteners, flashings, anchors, and dimensional accuracy, providing comprehensive documentation of frame quality before it is concealed by roofing and cladding.
Why this inspection matters
The window to inspect a timber frame is narrow: after the frame is erected but before the roof cover is installed. Once roofing and cladding are on, the entire structural frame is concealed. Bracing omissions, incorrect anchor bolt placement, and non-compliant member sizing cannot be identified without removing finished materials. This is the only point in the construction sequence where all framing elements are visible.
AS 1684.2 sets specific requirements for bracing type and spacing, anchor fixing patterns, wall tie embedment, and member sizing. These are not design-stage requirements that the builder “should have” followed. They are code compliance items the inspector verifies against the approved plans and the standard. Wall ties at incorrect spacing, bracing panels in the wrong locations, and anchor bolts with insufficient edge distance are among the most common findings. Each of these affects structural performance under wind loading and cannot be addressed after the roof cover is laid without demolition.
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Before you book
What is the difference between this and the double brick roof frame inspection?
The Frame Inspection (BV/Timber) covers both the wall frame and roof frame in brick veneer and timber frame construction. This is a combined wall and roof frame check. The double brick roof frame inspection covers only the roof frame, as the brickwork is assessed at the separate plate high stage.
Does this cover engineered timber (LVL, etc.)?
Yes, the inspection covers all frame construction materials including conventional timber, engineered timber (LVL), and prefabricated components. Member sizes and spans are checked against the approved design.
When should I book this inspection?
After the wall and roof frame are completely erected but before the roof cover is installed or external cladding is applied. This is the only point at which all framing elements are accessible.
What if the inspector finds defects?
The report documents each defect with photos and location. Your builder is responsible for rectification. SURE inspectors are available during the free advice period to answer questions about required remediation.
Is this inspection required by the building permit?
The statutory Building Surveyor inspection is a separate requirement. An independent SURE inspection is an additional quality assurance measure, not a replacement for mandatory statutory inspections.