Your builder should be using Inspection and Test Plans to check work at each stage of your build. Here's what an ITP is, who's responsible for it, what to ask for, and how it protects you.

What is an ITP?

An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) is a document that sets out the quality checks for each stage of a build: what gets checked, when, by whom, against what standard, and how it's recorded. In plain terms, it's a checklist with sign-offs that makes sure the important checks actually happen before the work is covered up by the next trade.

An ITP is part of the builder's wider quality management plan, which covers how the builder manages quality across the whole job.

A typical ITP contains:

  • the inspections and tests required at each stage, who does them and when
  • the acceptance criteria: the standard, tolerance or manufacturer's requirement the work must meet
  • hold points, where work can't continue until the check is signed off
  • a place to record results, defects found and how they were fixed
  • signatures and dates for each check

Why it matters to you

The certifier's inspections are snapshots. In Queensland, the certifier (or a competent person they rely on) inspects a new house at the mandatory stages: footings and excavation, the slab before the pour, the frame, and the final. They check compliance with the approval and the building code. They don't check whether your tiles are straight, your waterproofing was done properly between their visits, or your cabinetry matches the specification.

An ITP fills that gap. It means:

  • defects are found early, when they're cheap to fix, instead of after the plasterboard or tiles are on
  • there's a written record that the work was checked, by whom and against what standard
  • you have evidence if a dispute comes up later
  • the builder has a system, not just a supervisor's memory, for managing quality across dozens of jobs
Non conformance & corrective action report Example
Non conformance & corrective action report

Who is responsible?

On a home build, the responsibilities typically break down like this:

  • Your builder is responsible for the ITP. They set the inspection points and acceptance criteria and make sure the checks happen.
  • The site supervisor carries out or arranges the checks, signs off items and records any defects and how they were fixed.
  • Trades check and sign off their own work against the ITP items for their trade, such as plumbing pressure tests, electrical testing or waterproofing.
  • Specialist inspectors and engineers may sign off specific items, such as the engineer's slab or pier inspection.
  • The certifier does the mandatory stage inspections required by the building approval. That's separate from the builder's own quality checks.

The stages an ITP should cover

A good ITP for a new home has checks at each major stage. Here's how they line up with the Constructor checklists:

  • Base stage (slab): set-out, excavation, termite protection, reinforcement and services before the pour. Checklist: C5 Pre Pour Slab.
  • Frame stage: wall frames, trusses, bracing and tie-downs. Checklist: C7 Frame.
  • Rough-in: plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and data before the walls are lined. Checklist: C10 Rough In.
  • Enclosed stage: roof, wall wrap, windows, cladding and external doors. Checklist: C11 Enclosed.
  • Waterproofing: wet area membranes, before tiling. Checklist: C13B Waterproofing Installation.
  • Fixing stage: internal linings, cabinetry, doors, tiling and fit-off. Checklist: C12 Fixing.
  • Practical completion: the whole home against the contract, plans and specification. Checklist: C16 Practical Completion Inspection.

You'll find all of these at Constructor Checklists. Even if your builder uses ITPs, it's worth running your own checks at each stage.

After handover

Once you reach practical completion, the ITP records become part of the handover record. Under the QBCC New Home Construction Contract you have a 12-month defects period from practical completion, plus QBCC home warranty cover behind that. Signed ITPs make it much easier to show what was checked, and when, if a defect shows up later.

Three questions to ask your builder

  1. Do you use ITPs? If the answer is vague, ask how they check work at each stage before it's covered up.
  2. Can I see the signed ITP for each stage? A builder with a working system shouldn't mind sharing them, ideally before you pay each progress claim.
  3. Who signs them? The supervisor, the trade, an engineer? Someone with the knowledge to check the work should be putting their name to it.

Further reading

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ConstructorAnthony Painter