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Inspections

Lock-up Stage Inspection Checklist

Pre-payment checklist for your lock-up stage inspection. Covers roof, windows, doors, external cladding, rough-in services, and wet area waterproofing before internal linings go on.

Lock-up Stage Inspection Checklist

Pre-payment checklist for your lock-up stage inspection. Covers roof, windows, doors, external cladding, rough-in services, and wet area waterproofing before internal linings go on.

When to use this checklist: Use this before releasing your lock-up stage progress payment and before internal linings are installed. Lock-up is the point where the building is weatherproof — roof on, windows and external doors in, cladding complete. Once linings go on, defects in framing, rough-in services, and waterproofing are hidden and expensive to fix.

📋 Documentation to request

Lock-up or frame inspection certificate from certifier or council — confirm it is signed before releasing payment

Engineer's specification for any steel beams, lintels, and structural connections

Approved plans — compare window and door positions, sizes, and external finishes to site

Waterproofing membrane specification and product data sheet for wet areas

Window and door schedule — compare manufacturer, series, sizes, and glazing to installed units

Roofing warranty documentation and installer's compliance certificate

Termite management system certificate if required at this stage

Any variation approvals affecting windows, doors, or external cladding

🧱 External cladding and brickwork

Brickwork complete to full height on all elevations — no courses missing

Brick courses level and plumb — check walls with a level; lean should not exceed 10 mm per storey

Mortar joints consistent in width and finish — no voids, cracks, or excessive mortar smear

Weep holes clear and unobstructed at base of cavity and above flashings — typically every third perpend

Control joints installed at required intervals and locations per specification

Damp proof course (DPC) installed at base of all external walls — visible and correctly lapped

Cladding or render (if applicable) complete, correctly fixed, and joints sealed per manufacturer's detail

No cracking in brickwork or render — document any cracks with photos and measurements

Cavity tie spacing and type correct per specification — visible ties not bent or displaced

🪵 Internal framing — pre-lining check

All noggings (horizontal blocking) in place at mid-height and wherever linings require support

Wall frames plumb — check with a level on each face; not more than 5 mm per 1.2 m

Ceiling frames level across the full span — no sag or twist in ceiling joists or battens

Blocking installed for future fixtures: towel rails, shower screens, grab rails, TV mounts

Ceiling height consistent in each room — measure in multiple locations

No bowed, twisted, or green (wet) timber that will cause lining problems

All penetrations through framing for pipes and cables within permitted limits — not notched beyond spec

Backing plates or additional framing in place for heavy wall-mounted items (vanities, cabinets)

🔧 Rough-in services

Plumbing rough-in complete — hot and cold water pipes run to all fixture locations and capped

Waste pipes installed and fall correctly to drain — check for correct gradient per plumbing code

Electrical rough-in complete — cables run to all outlet, switch, and light positions and capped

Electrical rough-in inspected and signed off by inspector or certifier before linings

HVAC ducts and returns positioned per layout drawings and correctly supported

Gas rough-in complete where applicable — pipes run and capped, no open ends

Exhaust duct penetrations for rangehood, bathroom, and laundry exhaust in place and correctly routed

All service rough-ins checked for conflicts with each other and with structural framing

Pre-lining inspection certificate obtained if required by certifier

💧 Waterproofing — wet areas pre-lining

Shower recess walls waterproofed with membrane applied and turned up minimum 150 mm above floor level

Shower floor membrane covers full floor area and extends under hob or up the threshold

Floor waste set at the correct height relative to finished tile surface — confirm with tiler's spec

Bath hob and surrounds waterproofed before bath is set in position

Laundry floor waterproofed if it is classified as a wet area under the NCC

Balcony or alfresco membrane applied where applicable — correct upstand height at door threshold

Waterproofing membrane has cured for manufacturer's specified time before tiling

Waterproofing certificate obtained from licensed waterproofer and sighted

🚗 Garage and driveway

Garage slab level and free of significant cracking or honeycombing

Garage door rough opening correct width and height per door schedule — measure before lintels are hidden

Garage lintel size matches engineer's specification

Retaining walls complete, plumb, and weep holes clear where required

Site drainage directing stormwater away from the building — no pooling adjacent to footings

Driveway crossover and kerb cuts completed if required by council

📝 Defects noted on inspection

Track defects digitally with Checka

This checklist helps you spot issues. Checka helps you document them with photos, share reports with your builder, and track what gets fixed.

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