fact: n. 1.

an event or thing known to have

FACT SHEET
happened or existed. 2. a truth verifiable from
experience or observation.: 3. a piece of
BUILDING SERVICES AUTHORITY
information: get me all the facts of this case.

C 18 SUPERVISION OF BUILDING WORK

280808
BRISBANE The importance of supervision
299 Montague Rd
It is in the interests of all building contractors to ensure their work is properly
West End QLD 4101 supervised. Recent research by BSA suggests that at least 60% of seriously defective
domestic building work reported to BSA can be attributed to poor supervision
GPO Box 5099 practises.
Brisbane QLD 4001
The financial impacts on the contractor of failing to supervise building work can be
substantial. Rectification of defective or substandard building work inevitably incurs
Facsimile 3225 2999 additional cost and reduces profits. In extreme cases the cost of rectifying poor quality
work has resulted in licensed contractors being forced to wind up their business and/
CAIRNS or declare bankruptcy.
Facsimile 4048 1124
Do contractors have a legal obligation to supervise building work?
GOLD COAST
Under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act (QBSA Act) a licensed
Facsimile 5575 7666 contractor (and in the case of a company, the nominee) is required to ensure that
building work carried out under their licence is adequately supervised.
MACKAY
Facsimile 4953 4151 Breach of this obligation is an offence and may result in the licensed contractor and
nominee (if applicable) being subject to disciplinary proceedings.
ROCKHAMPTON
Facsimile 4927 1551 What is “adequate supervision”?
The QBSA Act states that to have performed “adequate supervision” the work must
SUNSHINE COAST be:
Facsimile 5459 9655
❑❑ in accordance with the plans and specifications for the work set out in the contract
MARYBOROUGH between the licensed contractor and consumer; and
Facsimile 4122 3814
❑❑ of a standard expected of a competent holder of a contractor’s licence of the
appropriate class.
TOOWOOMBA
Facsimile 4638 1917 BSA often receives queries from building contractors about what is required to ensure
domestic building work is “adequately supervised”. The answer to this question
TOWNSVILLE depends on the circumstances.
Facsimile 4725 3401
The oversight, control and direction reasonably necessary to ensure that building
work complies with plans and specifications and is of an appropriate standard will
TELEPHONE STATEWIDE depend on the complexity and nature of the work, as well as the experience and skills
1300 BSA BSA of those persons actually undertaking it.
Depending on the circumstances, it is usually not necessary for the person responsible
WEBSITE for supervising domestic building work to be present at all times when work is being
www.bsa.qld.gov.au carried out. However, it is critical that work is sufficiently inspected and checked
to ensure it is in accordance with plans and specifications and of the appropriate
standard.
Helping
Queenslanders
Build Better
BSA recommends inspections and checks occur at the following stages:
❑❑ on completion of applicable structural stages of construction (i.e. footing, slab, frame and final);
❑❑ immediately prior to the commencement of significant non-structural stages of construction (eg. at pre-paint,
immediately prior to fixing stage, or immediately prior to plasterboard or cladding being fixed); and
❑❑ immediately prior to the work being handed over to the consumer.

Supervisor’s checklist for Domestic Building Work

When inspecting domestic building work to ensure that it complies with plans and specifications and is of an
appropriate standard, there are numerous matters that need to be taken into account.
The below table provides a guide to the key building work items that should always be checked and inspected
when constructing a new dwelling. Relevant parts of the guide may also be useful for those contractors
undertaking renovations.

STAGE ITEM
❑❑ Mandatory approvals obtained. (eg. Development permits for building
Pre-construction
work, operational works, plumbing, town planning etc.).
Site identification ❑❑ Site description and boundary alignments verified.
❑❑ Correct level of building platform established.
Site Works ❑❑ Earth batters or retaining walls established.
❑❑ Required fill compaction achieved.
❑❑ Set back from titled boundaries accord with approval documents.
Building set out
❑❑ Building footprint reflects approval and contract documents.
❑❑ Mandatory inspections undertaken and approved by relevant approving
authority.
❑❑ Relevant plumbing and drainage inspections undertaken and approved by
Footings
relevant approving authority.
❑❑ Excavation, steel reinforcement, concrete placement and compaction
accords with approval and engineering documents.
❑❑ Mandatory inspection undertaken and approved by relevant approving
authority.
❑❑ Plumbing and drainage inspections undertaken and approved by relevant
approving authority.
Slab ❑❑ Steel reinforcement, concrete placement and compaction, construction and
control joints accord with approval and engineering documents.
❑❑ Finished slab level accords with any minimum levels set by local
government (eg. flood, overland flow etc.).
❑❑ Termite management system in place.
❑❑ Mandatory inspection undertaken and approved by approving authority
❑❑ Frame set out and dimensions accord with approval documents.
❑❑ All structural elements and wind bracing accord with approval documents.
Frame
❑❑ Ceiling heights and door widths accord with the contract documents and
minimum standards set by legislation.
❑❑ Wall and ceiling framing plumb and square.
❑❑ Plumbing rough-in inspection undertaken and approved by approving
Plumbing works authority.
❑❑ Position of final fixtures accord with contract documents.
❑❑ Electrical supply authority requirements satisfied.
Electrical works ❑❑ Smoke detector locations accord with approval documents.
❑❑ Position of final electrical fittings accord with contract documents.
 STAGE ITEM
❑❑ External window and door fitments meet correct wind loading
requirements.
Window and external
❑❑ External window and door flashings in place.
door joinery
❑❑ Correct glass used in areas of human impact risk.
❑❑ Installation and glazing certificates obtained.
❑❑ Articulation, construction and control joints correctly positioned.
❑❑ Wall cavities cleaned.
❑❑ Weepholes clear and correctly positioned.
External cladding
❑❑ Damp proof courses in place.
❑❑ External cladding waterproofed where required.
❑❑ Brick cladding plumb.
Roof
❑❑ Roof fixings in place and correct for wind category.
❑❑ Sarking correctly lapped and placed.
❑❑ Flashings in place and of compatible materials.
❑❑ Minimum falls and laps to sheet roofs correct.
Roof and site ❑❑ Roof drainage and downpipes located in accordance with approval
drainage documents.
Site
❑❑ Downpipe connections adequate for soil conditions.
❑❑ Roof water discharge to approval authority’s satisfaction.
❑❑ Site drainage falls adequate.
❑❑ Site drainage discharge to approving authority’s satisfaction.
Plasterboard
❑❑ Frame checked prior to plaster fixing.
❑❑ Required back blocking in place.
❑❑ Expansion and control joints correctly located.
Internal finishes ❑❑ Selected class of finish achieved in accordance with contract documents.
Painting
❑❑ Pre-paint inspection carried out to ensure adequate surface.
❑❑ Correct paint type used for internal and external environment.
❑❑ Selected finish accords with contract documents.
❑❑ Mandatory inspection undertaken and approved by relevant approving
authority.
Final
❑❑ Relevant certification obtained and provided to relevant approving
authority.
❑❑ Driveways constructed with appropriate falls, control and construction joints
Miscellaneous and surface finishes.