Frame inspection in Sunbury

Stage3 of 7

When to bookWith frame and trusses up and the roof on, before wrap and cladding

Time on site1 to 2 hours on site

Inspected againstAS 1684 (timber framing), AS 4100 or NASH for steel frames, the engineer's bracing and tie-down plan, NCC Part 3.4

What is included in a Sunbury frame inspection

Stud, plate, lintel and beam sizes against AS 1684 and the engineer's drawings
Wall straightness and plumb, top plate level
Floor level across the slab
Bracing type, position and fixing against the bracing plan
Tie-downs from roof to wall and wall to slab
Triple grips, straps and bolt fixings
Jack studs, lintels and trimmers over every opening
Window sill trimmers for wide openings
Roof truss spacing, fixing and girder connections
Valley boards, ceiling battens and roof bracing
Window and door openings against the plans
Wet area framing, noggings and service penetrations
Damaged, split, notched or over-drilled members
Termite collars and slab penetrations still visible

Why it matters here

Frame inspections on Sunbury builds

The heaviest findings in our Sunbury reports come from frame: lintels over wide openings without their tie-downs, girder trusses resting on one stud, connections built differently from the detail, and roof bracing that stops short of the top plate.

What we find at this stage in Sunbury

Lintels missing the tie-downs their span needs
Single stud under a girder truss
Beam connections not matching the engineering
Roof bracing not wrapped under the top plate
Top plates joined under a truss load
Honeycombing in the slab edge

Honeycombing along the slab edge, voids that can weaken the concrete, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Honeycombing along the slab edge, voids that can weaken the concrete

Shorter beam over an opening missing its required tie-down fixing, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Shorter beam over an opening missing its required tie-down fixing

Loadbearing top plate broken at a joint right under the truss load, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Loadbearing top plate broken at a joint right under the truss load

Bottom plate not yet fixed down to the slab in places, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Bottom plate not yet fixed down to the slab in places

Sample findings

Sample defects found during our frame inspections in Sunbury

Annotated findings from Frame inspections.

Long lintel over a wide opening without the tie-down its span requires, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Long lintel over a wide opening without the tie-down its span requires

Single stud carrying a girder truss where a doubled stud is needed, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Single stud carrying a girder truss where a doubled stud is needed

Beam connection built differently from the detail on the engineering, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Beam connection built differently from the detail on the engineering

Roof bracing strap stopping short instead of wrapping under the top plate, found during a frame inspection in Sunbury — Roof bracing strap stopping short instead of wrapping under the top plate

The other stages of a Sunbury build

All construction stage inspections in Sunbury →

Guides

Construction stage guides for Sunbury

19 February 2026 · 6 min read

Lintel tie-downs on a Sunbury frame

Why the beams over your windows need their own fixings, and what we found missing.

26 March 2026 · 5 min read

Slab beams narrower than drawn

How loose waffle pods shrink the beams in a Sunbury slab, and how to catch it.

14 May 2026 · 5 min read

Roof penetrations and wall wrap at lock-up

The water details that close over at a Sunbury lock-up, and the ones we keep finding open.

All guides →

FAQ

Frame inspections in Sunbury: common questions

What is a tie-down and why does it matter?

It is the strap, bolt or rod that holds the frame down against wind uplift. Lintels and beams over openings have their own tie-down requirements that change with span.

Why does a girder truss need a doubled stud?

A girder carries the load of several other trusses. That concentrated load needs two or more studs, or whatever the engineering specifies, to reach the slab.

Is honeycombing in the slab edge serious?

It can be. Voids along the edge may reduce strength and protection to the steel, so it is recorded as a major item for the builder to assess and repair.

Do exposed Sunbury blocks change anything?

The wind classification for your lot sets the bracing and tie-down design. We read it from your engineering rather than assuming one for the suburb.

Which standards apply?

AS 1684 for timber framing and AS 4055 for wind loads, alongside your engineering and the truss layout.

Can a missing tie-down be added later?

Easily before wrap and cladding. Once linings are on, it means removing them.