Question 1

Are you an insured business and do you guarantee your work?

Accepted Answer

We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.  We do not undertake actual 'work' as we are not tradesmen.  Therefore, warrantees are not really applicable.

Question 2

How did you decide to get into your line of work?

Accepted Answer

I enjoy imparting knowledge. I was a Scout Leader for 18 years and also a senior military officer, TAFE and university lecturer. I am also a registered builder and structural engineer.  Because I provide so much information in my reports, I am able to advise people, not only of the issue, but the cause and a detailed methodology to repair.    Also, I was concerned over stories about building inspectors missing so many items and providing meaningless and useless reports.  The Building Commission does a three hour course for building inspectors. You do not need any qualifications to do this course and you come away with a certificate of attendance. It is disgusting that the WA Government could let unqualified people provide reports on such an important issue; the safety and wellbeing of the family living in your new home.

Question 3

Do you have a favourite customer story you would like to share?

Accepted Answer

I did an inspection and found serious structural issues.  The owner/agent had tried to hide it and most building inspectors would not have seen the issues. The agent (smugly) asked my qualifications to dispute my findings. When I told them that I was a registered builder, had a Masters and professional Diploma in Engineering, they backed off.  Fortunately for the client, the offer was withdrawn. If they had hired one of these building inspectors that was not a structural engineer, then they would currently be living in a house with serious structural issues.

Question 4

What do you like most about your job?

Accepted Answer

I like helping people.  I enjoy seeing people get a professional job and really like the feedback that I get.  Many clients still contact me after many years to ask how I am and to seek building advice; which I give for free.  I love training and mentoring and so am really pleased to pass on my knowledge. I also like being at the top of my profession.

Question 5

What questions should a customer ask to hire the right service professional?

Accepted Answer

Are you a registered builder (proof required). Are you a structural engineer. Please confirm that you have not only undertaken the Building Commission three hour course and that you are indeed qualified and not just a tradesman (or non-tradesman) who just wants to take your money.   Are you fit and able to climb inside roof spaces and under buildings. Are your reports comprehensive and provide detailed repair methodologies. Have you ever been an expert witness for the SAT.

Question 6

What questions do customers commonly ask and how would you answer them?

Accepted Answer

Will I discount my prices?  No. My pricing is already very competitive and representative of a registered builder and structural engineer with over 30 years experience.  Our reports are the most detailed in WA and provide recommendations on how to fix items found.  No one else does this. We give a total and professional service. If you are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars; you want the best. Call PCMConcepts.

Question 7

What makes you the most reliable and trustworthy person for the job?

Accepted Answer

The person needs to be qualified.  Most building inspectors in Perth are not even registered builders. I am a registered builder and structural engineer with over 30 years experience. As a former military officer, Scout Leader and TAFE Lecturer; my integrity and professionalism is above reproach.      The Building Commission does a three hour course for building inspectors. You do not need any qualifications to do this course and you come away with a certificate of attendance. It is disgusting that the WA Government could let unqualified people provide reports on such an important issue; the safety and wellbeing of the family living in your new home.

Question 8

Why should a customer hire you over another service provider?

Accepted Answer

PCMConcepts professionals with 33 years experience.  As a builder and structural engineer; we have been doing inspections since 2007.  Most WA building inspectors are not even registered builders.  Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home and not have it professionally inspected. Would you go to a dentist, lawyer, engineer or accountant who had no qualifications?

Question 9

What are the typical things that you need to know before you can provide a quote to a customer?

Accepted Answer

Address of job. Accurate configuration of house (leaving off rooms to try to get a lower price doesn't work). Single or double storey. Number and type of outbuildings (ie sheds, pools, patios etc). Concerns or issues with the building. Access restrictions such as deadlines for reporting.

Question 10

How can a customer save money before you start the work? Please give 3 tips

Accepted Answer

Do your homework!  Is your inspector a registered builder? Go to the government website to check: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-commission/find-registered-builder.   Ask how long they think they will be on site.  For a pre-purchase inspection, they should be there for 1.5 - 2 hours.  For a PCI, they should be there for 2.5 - 3 hours.  Do their reports contain lots of photos and detailed explanations.  Most inspectors use the same old template with a few photos and no explanations about what they found.    Will they crawl around in the roof and under the house. Most only have a look from the manhole.  They also must get on the roof. At PCMConcepts, if it is accessible, we go there and have a proper look.  It sounds harsh, but your inspector has to be fit enough to fit through the manhole and then crawl around inside.

Question 11

Are there any special offers you would like to offer to Oneflare customers?

Accepted Answer

If you are an aged pensioner or a war veteran, we will apply a discount.  If you have a pool, we will undertake an enclosure compliance for FREE when coupled with another inspection.  After the invoice has been paid, we are always available for free building advice on the house inspected.

Question 12

What makes your pricing competitive?

Accepted Answer

We are a 'One Stop Shop'.  We may not be the cheapest, but cheap generally means compromise.  We know that most building inspectors in WA are not even registered builders.  This makes the report meaningless and problems are found, the client will need to hire another professional. We provide a detailed maintenance list of items we find during the Pre-Purchase inspection - even if it is not a structural issue.  If it is a maintenance item, we give detailed explanations of what we found, how it occurred and how to fix it. We even recommend tools and materials for the jobs.

Question 13

How do you normally charge for your service?

Accepted Answer

PCMConcepts invoice when the report is submitted.  Payment is made by the client via EFT within seven days of invoicing.

Question 14

Is there a particular aspect of your trade or industry that you specialise in?

Accepted Answer

We specialise in Pre-Purchase, Practical Completion, Structural Inspections, Dilapidation Reports, Defects Inspections and specialist investigations and reports for the commercial and residential building industries. As a structural engineer and registered builder with over 30 years experience, PCMConcepts has an accumulated wealth of knowledge.  We have designed houses and units, drafted them, built them, maintained them, refurbished them and demolished them.  Accordingly, there is no aspect of the building industry that we have not done.

Question 15

What experience, skills, qualifications or training do you have to make you the right person for the job?

Accepted Answer

Registered builder (BP: 12365 - Craig) and structural engineer with 33 years experience.  We have designed houses and units, drafted them, built them, maintained them, refurbished them and demolished them.  Accordingly, there is no aspect of the building industry that we have not done. We are on site for longer than other inspectors and access all parts of the house.  Our reports are not the industry standard 'tick sheet'. They contain many photos and give detailed explanations of we find.

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